ENL South Round-up Week 2

LONDON , UK – After a busy opening weekend last week, the English National League season is now back in full swing and everyone has now had a chance to get their teeth in to the new campaign.
 
Most of the chatter this past week has been regarding Slough’s decision to utilise the services of Dan Davies and Aaron Connolly before the Premier League season begins.
 
Whilst both are expected to play a full and important part in the Jets EPL campaign; being the youngsters they are, under EIHA they can move freely between the Jets ENL and EPL side – something the ENL side have taken advantage of.
 
Under league rules it’s all perfectly acceptable – and not the first time it’s happened, as Oxford manager Gary Dent pointed out on THF. The Stars have used the same rules to their own advantage in the past to keep their team competitive.
 
The real crux of most people’s frustration is whether it is right morally, is it in the spirit of the game?
 
It seems to be something which is personal to each individual. Some see no issue with it and are pleased good young players are getting the chance to play, others see it as a move not in the true spirit of the ruling as both Connolly and Davies were effectively signed to be EPL players.
 
Wherever you sit on the issue, it’s made for a lively and interesting debate which has wider implications for the sport once you scratch the surface.
 
Saturday
 
Whilst Bristol and Wightlink both participated in Basingstoke’s 4-on-4 charity tournament, Saturday’s only league fixture took place in Milton Keynes, where the home town Thunder welcomed visitors Bracknell.
 
A highlight reel glove save from Thunder netminder Dave Cassidy early in the game followed by superb finish from Slovak import Maros Stefanco quickly set the tone for the home side as they dominated much of the opening period.
 
Promising youngster Ryan Webb kept the Hornets in the game when he raced clear and beat Cassidy, only for Martyn Snape to restore the Thunder’s lead 20 seconds later.
 
The home side continued their domination in the second period as Stefanco made it 3-1 just 40 seconds after the restart. Young D man Nidal Phillips increased the advantage two minutes later with a powerful effort from the blue line and a powerplay effort from Connor Goode made it 5-1 heading in to the second break.
 
Thunder made another quick start to the final frame as Jamie Randall found the back of the net and Goode completed his brace. Danny Hughes grabbed a conciliatory marker for the visitors but it proved to be in vein as Stefanco completed his hat trick before summer signing Steve Maile put the icing on the cake three minutes from time to wrap up a 9-2 victory.
 
Sunday
 
Cardiff got their season under way on Sunday when they hosted league favourites Chelmsford at the Big Blue Tent.
 
A strong performance from netminder Mike Brabon kept the home side in it, despite being heavily out shot by the visitors. Two goals from Jakub Klima in the final period saw the Chieftains home in a game which will likely have had new Coach Gary Clarke sweating a little earlier in the evening.
 
Bracknell bounced back from their defeat on Saturday with a strong home performance against defending champions Wightlink at The Hive.
 
New import signing Joe Rand found the back of the net for the Raiders, with Arran Strawson and Dominick Hopkins also among the scorers, as Jeremy Cornish’s side avoided a potential banana skin in Berkshire.
 
Fans in Gillingham saw their side cement a place at the top of the Division with an 8-2 win over Streatham in a game which left most fans talking about the officials rather than the on ice performance of the two teams.
 
Needless to say, travelling to Invicta with only 12 men is not the best situation at the best of times, but when the Redskins saw Warren Rost ejected early in the game they had the proverbial mountain to climb.
 
Oxford built on their impressive tie in Chelmsford last weekend with a solid outing against rivals Milton Keynes in their first home game of the season.
 
A close fought opening period was only separated by Dax Hedges late marker. The two sides traded both chances and minor penalties for much of the second as well, with the home team again finding the net late in the period – this time through Captain Darren Elliott and then Gareth Endicott.
 
Youngster Josh Oliver increased the Stars advantage early in the 3^rd, but two goals from Maros Stefanco gave Milton Keynes some hope before Wayne Fiddes converted a well worked powerplay goal to wrap things up for the Stars.
 
Romford continued their push for the title at home to newly promoted Slough. D espite being without Zoran Kozic, David Heath, Stas Prokofiev and Dan Davies, the Jets made a respectable start to the game and held the Raiders at 1-1 through the opening twenty minutes.
 
Whilst the home side took a slender 3-2 lead in to the second break, the play of Slough netminder Ryan Bainborough caught the eye of many as he turned away 14 of 16 shots through the period.
 
Raiders pulled away in the final period, but the Jets are proving to be no slouches through the opening weeks of the new season.
 
Results
 
Saturday 10^th September
 
Milton Keynes 9 Bracknell 2
 
Sunday 11^th September
 
Cardiff 4 Chelmsford 5
Bracknell 3 Wightlink 5
Invicta 8 Streatham 2
Oxford 5 Milton Keynes 2
Romford 6 Slough 2
 
Contact the author rob.mcgregor@prohockeynews.com