Wightlink aiming to cause shock in play offs

ISLE OF WIGHT , UK – Of all the teams heading towards the play offs, the Wightlink Raiders are the team with the biggest point to prove. Currently placed last out of the six qualifying teams (they can make fifth place if results go their way this weekend), Jeremy Cornish’s team have flattered to deceive at times this season with some excellent results cancelled by equally frustrating ones.
 
One of the few local players playing for the team is stand out defence man Damon Larter. Isle of Wight born and bred, Larter has been exposed to senior hockey on the island more than any other player in the current roster and believes that the pre season hype surrounding the team was a little misguided:
 
“I think expectations of us were too high. When dropping down, we lost a lot of great players to EPL teams on what we call the mainland. Why would you want to travel for an hour and a half to play on the island when you could take your pick from three or four local teams? We have depended heavily on players from the Tigers (Wightlink’s second team) who have not experienced this level of hockey. I think we have lost points when we shouldn’t but I think it’s more of a learning curve for next year”
 

There may be longer term planning afoot at the Cube, but before next season there is the small matter of play off hockey for the Raiders in a couple of week’s time. The Raiders are not expected to challenge for honours but at the same time no team will relish a trip over the Solent. However if the team can replicate their regular season wins in Oxford and Chelmsford against other similar placed teams, they could actually make an impact, but Larter is happy to go into games with the underdog tag:
 
“Every team belongs in the top six; we know the team’s styles and just have to stick to our system. Obviously we have lost a few players to injuries and other circumstances which really has made it hard for us, But the positive from this is that everyone has stepped up their game, players who were playing on the third line have now moved up and are scoring goals, so really we have strengthened in other ways,
 
“There is loads of ice time for every player on our team which means everyone gets in to the game. I love to be the underdog with no expectations on us and no pressure. I think some of the top teams are due a loss so I think it’s going to get very exciting”
 
There is no doubt that the top end of the ENL has improved with former EPL sides Invicta and Chelmsford both strong, however for a player that has spent most of his career playing for the Raiders in the EPL, the new league could come as a bit of a culture shock. Larter insists that it is a move that has worked out for him personally:
 
“Obviously the standard is lower than the EPL but so many ENL guys could play if given the chance in the higher leagues. There are a lot of great coaches who have stepped down and also very experienced ex EPL players who are playing & helping to coach and assist some of our young British talent,
 
“For me personally, I think the ENL is an awesome league and do not regret the decision to step down. Being a partner in a sign company on the Isle of Wight & doing a university course in graphic design, I found it hard in our last EPL year to really dedicate the time and this year would of been harder so it was the perfect balance for me. I still get to play the sport I love in a very competitive league”
 
Aside from a brief spell as a junior at Basingstoke, Larter has played on the island since he was six years old and has been tutored by some of the Isle of Wight’s favourite hockey sons. Now aged 23 he can look back on those days with good memories:
 
“When I started to train with the Raiders, they were a hugely successful team. There was a host of amazing players to help me develop like Dan Sweeney, Darcy Cahill, Scott Carter, Steve Gannaway, Andy Pickles, Jason Coles, Tony Blaize, Luke Chabot and a whole host of great British & import players. Each had their bit to say and their patience   with me in training sessions really helped me to mature and develop,
 
“Steve Gannaway’s testimonial was a big highlight for me, especially when island legends returned like the Standing brothers, Dan Sweeney, Don Breau and Martyn Jenneway. I was playing against the heroes I had grown up watching & it was a great feeling to now be skating alongside them as a fellow Raider”
 
With so many experienced players having a stint on the island over the years, Jeremy Cornish has added his name to that list this season. A popular villain with many in the ENL, the former Elite League tough guy has had a fair amount of stick from opposition fans and players this season, but Larter believes he has done a good job in difficult circumstances:
 
“Jeremy is obviously new to coaching and with his Elite league status; he has a lot of experience to pass down. I think so far he has been doing a great job. He is extremely dedicated to hockey on the island from the Juniors to the Raiders which is great and with his University course, it just proves that he is trying hard to develop his coaching skills which we are very grateful for,
 
“Training sessions are high tempo and we work hard on systems, so all the Raiders have learnt new things. There is a fun atmosphere in the dressing room and training is always full of players (which has been hard in the past because of the distance our players lived away & their commitments),
 
“Despite what people may think, team spirit is high, after a loss, we re-group, talk about what happened and try to correct it. If we win, it is an unbelievable feeling as it’s something we have lacked for a few years. We all know we are a young team and generally inexperienced at this level for most, so we always seek to improve and fight for our place on the team”
 
Team spirit is vital on any team, especially at the latter end of the season, and it is fair to say that the Raiders year so far may not have gone exactly to plan. Thankfully there are a few characters on the team and Larter is big enough to admit that they can look back on some incidents with a smile now the dust has settled:
 
“The biggest joker here is obviously Hughesy (Dan Hughes) but Kev Tanner and Kieran Annis do their bit for team entertainment. Obviously our kit going to Crystal Palace instead of Alexandra Palace has got to be cream of the crop as far as amusing incidents go, but at the time it wasn’t so funny”
 
So with rumours of an even stronger ENL next season, does Larter harbour ambitions of an EPL return for both himself and the Raiders?
 
“I would love to see it happen (a return to EPL), I love being a part of the Raiders and play at the highest standard I can, but unless we could secure a huge financial boost, it’s never going to happen. We struggle getting players to the island because getting someone to travel from London, Swindon or even Southampton is tough as we are finding out to our cost in the ENL. The four miles of water separating us to Portsmouth seems fatal for hockey on the Island,
 
“I really hope we can return to the EPL one day, I remember we were in the Semi Finals a few years back with 1000 screaming supporters in our tiny building, I don’t think that atmosphere could be beaten? What a dream that could be though, being a competitive team in the EPL – Never say never!”
 
Thanks for reading and stay safe.
 
Carrsy
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com