The Wightlink Raiders have booked their place in the ENL play off final after beating Invicta Dynamos 4-1 on aggregate over the weekend.
A storming third period at Ryde Arena on Saturday night proved to be decisive as the home team ran out 4-0 winners overall before going down to a single goal in Gillingham last night.
A classic goal from captain Damon Larter set the Raiders on their way midway through the match on Saturday before Jeremy Cornish, Nathan Taylor and Jason Gorrie completed the scoring.
Man of the match
Netminder Matt Colclough received the man of the match award for an amazing third successive shut out.
Raiders home fans have now not seen a goal conceded against their team in more than 180 minutes of hockey.
It was also the first time this season that the Dynamos had failed to score.
Tight affair in Kent
Last night’s return in Kent was another tight affair with Invicta fans knowing an early home goal would set Raiders nerves jangling. But in the end a Liam Chong strike in the middle period was the only goal of the game and the travelling fans went home happy despite the Raiders failing to score for the only time this season.
So the league champions now have the chance to do the league/play off double and it’s old rivals Chelmsford Chieftains who now stand in their way.
The league runners up were many people’s tip to win the league this year and will be keen to prevent the Raiders clinching a clean sweep of the silverware. In the four games played this season the Raiders have won two with two drawn so they will start as slight favourites to lift the trophy in Essex on Easter Sunday.
Finals next weekend
The two legged final will take place this weekend with the home leg at Ryde Arena on Saturday at 6pm. The second leg will be at the Riverside in Chelmsford on Easter Sunday with face off at 6.30pm.
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Nicky Craft
