Romford fall short in cup clash

ROMFORD, UK – Raiders fell short in an attempt to overturn a first-leg three-goal deficit as they lost out on ‘ Raiders Cup ’ honours to namesakes Wightlink on Sunday afternoon. Jeremy Cornish’s side seemed content to sit on their aggregate lead after Raiders player-coach Danny Marshall and Wight’s Jason Gorrie had traded early goals. Cornish, though, was proactive in trying to settle scores with JJ McGrath after the Romford forwards big win over Wight’s player-coach last weekend, challenging McGrath on his first shift. But, with Raiders already a goal to the good following Marshall’s glove-side wrist shot in the first two minutes, McGrath rightly turned him down. Gorrie’s tying goal soon after, a one-timer off the rush from the left face-off circle, gave Wight the security they needed in the tie. Both sides were strong defensively, much of the game contested against the boards and in a cluttered neutral zone. Juraj Huska’s one-timer off the crossbar early in the second period was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock, while Liam Doyle’s excellent defensive job stifled Gorrie’s attempt to drive to the net. With the game hanging precariously, a pair of minor penalties to Wight’s Dom Hopkins and Richard Facey gave Raiders a 59-second two-man advantage at the end of the second period. Though they failed to muster a single shot on the overlapping powerplay, momentum had stuck firmly with the home side early in the third. Matt Colclough denied Huska and AJ Smith before an excellent block by Brad Watchorn prevented Julian Smith’s slap shot from reaching Wight’s net. Watchorn limped through the remainder of Wight’s third-period penalty kill before hobbling to the bench. Much like last weekends league meeting between the two sides, the third period presented both teams with their best opportunities to win the game. Colclough kept Anthony Leone’s drive at bay, while Michael Gray’s sprawling saves denied Gorrie and Robbie Brown in spectacular fashion late in the game. Raiders’ goaltender stopped Gorrie’s deflection at the top of the crease before diving to his left to cover up a forehand rebound. Cornish, too, was denied on a one-timer from the left circle. Wight did enough to ensure that November’s first leg on the island made the difference though, the visitors lifting the seasons first silverware after a 6-3 aggregate win over two legs. Raiders can again take solace in their performance as they bettered the ENL’s champions elect for the second straight week. Contact the author – alex.nunn@prohockeynews.com