Raiders Now 10 Points Clear At The Top

The Wightlink Raiders remain on the brink of lifting their first league title in 14 years, despite suffering their first defeat in 23 matches at the weekend.

Results elsewhere have helped the Raiders open up a 10 point lead at the top of the ENL and three points from their last two home games will be enough to lift the league trophy.

On Saturday the Raiders welcomed reigning play off champions Bracknell Hornets to Ryde Arena, the Hornets themselves desperate for points in their quest for the 8th and final play off spot.

Three goals in first period
After a close opening 10 minutes in which Bracknell missed several good chances it was the home side who pulled away with Jeremy Cornish, Richard Bentham and Stewart Tait all scoring in the first period.

Jason Gorrie and Alex Murray then added two more goals before Bracknell’s only consolation just before the buzzer for the end of the second period. Two goals in the last minute from Andy Robinson made the final scoreline a convincing 7-1 win for the Raiders.

Sunday away to Romford Raiders
On Sunday the usual noisy contingent of Island fans made their way to Essex for the rematch with a Romford side who’d only drawn with Streatham the night before. Two goals late in period one gave the Romford Raiders a two goal cushion going into the first break before Dom Hopkins and Alex Murray tied the game up in the second period. But Romford came out flying in the final period and delighted their fans by scoring five unanswered goals to notch up an unlikely 7-2 victory.

So not an ideal night for Jeremy Cornish’s men although Invicta’s 6-3 defeat at Chelmsford was ample consolation for the Raiders. That result means Invicta’s eight year hold on the league title will be over if the Island team beat bottom of the table Swindon on Saturday.

The Raiders would then need at least a draw against the Cardiff ENL Devils on Saturday week to be crowned league champions in front of their home fans. Even a defeat would leave Chelmsford or Romford needing to win all their remaining games to pip the Raiders to the title.

Image: © From Raiders away game with Hornets earlier in the season, used with the kind permission of Nicky Craft