GILLINGHAM, UK – In a town that has got used to a steady flow of silverware courtesy of English National League side Invicta Dynamos in recent years, it was a different kind of trophy that arrived at the Ice Bowl last week.
Quite what the team name suggests about their tactical awareness is anyone’s guess, but the Medway Madness’s results on the ice suggest that it is not appropriate. Under the tutorage of Head Coach Nigel Howard, the Madness lifted the Southern Rec Conference Plate last week, following a two legged aggregate win over the Cardiff Eagles in the final.
Medway Madness celebrate in Wales
Medway had previously seen off a Slough Scorpions side in a one sided semi final, which saw them rack up a staggering 29-0 aggregate win over two legs. The final proved to be a much tougher task for the men from Kent as they faced off against Cardiff in front of a decent crowd for the first leg in Gillingham.
A hard earned 5-2 win sent the fans home happy with the two goals from the Coach Howard and one each for exotically named Farquhar McAllan, Nick Long and Neil Ratcliffe. The game was notable for the fact that it was Ratcliffe’s 100th point of the season, a record to be pleased with at any level of hockey. Cardiff’s goals came courtesy of a brace from Andrew Lloyd.
With only a three goal lead to hang on to, the second leg in Cardiff was always going to be a tough task. This proved to be an accurate prediction and with Cardiff winning the game 4-1 (6-6 on aggregate), it had to be penalty shots to decide who would lift the Plate.
Thankfully for the visitors, their goalie Carl Pattenden (replacing regular Matt Daubney) was on top form between the pipes shutting out all of Cardiff’s shooters. Following uncharacteristic misses from goal machine Ratcliffe and Coach Howard, it was left to Nick Long to score the winning penalty shot and seal the silverware for the Madness.
Champagne flows
“The team saw major changes this year with the addition of Martin Rider (former Dynamo) and Neil Ratcliffe from the Invicta Knights” said match-winner Long. “Both have added a bit of flair to an already solid squad. The other key change was appointment of Head Coach Nigel Howard. “Howie” added some structure to the lines and some new ideas to coaching”
“The emergence of Matt Daubney in goal has helped back stop the team; he has stolen games on his own at times but really this season has been a lot more serious for the guys but we have still tried to keep the element of fun that is attached to ‘rec’ hockey.
“This approach has meant that some of the newer players have flourished, guys like Farquhar McAllan, Paul Hailey, Andy Fitzgerald have come on leaps and bounds and made us a solid unit. Personally for me it was nice to play with Neil (Ratcliffe) and Nigel (Howard), the scoring responsibilities didn’t fall solely down to me and I felt my overall game has improved which is nice”
The Madness will enter 2010/11 looking to go one better and win the Cup, if they do manage to achieve more success Invicta Dynamos coach Kevin Parrish may be looking over his shoulder, with Nigel Howard eyeing up his Dynamos body warmer and a place on the Mo’s bench.
Medway Madness 2009/10: Andy Fitzgerald, Andy Rush, Biff Griffiths, Dan Long, Dave Trevallion, Doug Laming, Farquhar McAllan, Greg Clarke, Martin Rider, Matt Daubney, Neil Ratcliffe, Nick Long, NJ Howard, Paul Hailey, Tony Wood, Warren Cook (C), Rob Dell, Adam Chapman, Chris Ward, Carl Scriven, Carl Pattenden, Paul Wilson.
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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