Thanks to Andy Shier for sending through this week’s report from the WightLink Raiders. Ed
Wightlink Raiders showed their title credentials again this weekend picking up 3 points from what was a potentially slippery weekend.
On Saturday Bracknell Hornets were the visitors to Ryde Arena for the first match up between the two teams since Bracknell won the play off final back in April.
It was a different story this time around though as the Raiders cruised to an easy win over their old rivals. Dominic Hopkins put the home team ahead early in the first before Tom Carroll levelled things up for Bracknell 5 minutes from the break.
The 1-1 scoreline at the end of the period didn’t reflect the Raiders dominance though and within a minute of the restart the home side were 3-1 up thanks to Bradley Watchorn and Dominic Hopkins, both scoring against their old team.
A brilliant goal from the impressive Richard Facey made it 4-1 before Robbie Brown and Andy Robinson completed the scoring. Brad Watchorn picked up the man of the match beers with Tom Carroll getting them for the visitors after scoring a late consolation goal to add to his first period strike.
On the road to Chelmsford
On Sunday the Raiders travelled to Chelmsford having beaten them at home earlier this season. And Jason Gorrie gave the away fans early cause for celebration by putting his team ahead just 54 seconds in, a lead that lasted less than a minute as Jerry Pavlus levelled things for the Chieftains.
Chelmsford then stole the advantage before the end of the period with Ross Brears putting his team 2-1 ahead.
The Raiders then produced a storming second period outshooting the home team 17-7 and deservedly pulling level on 34 minutes with Gorrie scoring his second of the night.
A goalless final period left the game tied at 2-2 and the two teams sharing the points although the Raiders did outshoot their rivals over the 60 minutes.
So with Invicta enjoying a weekend off the Raiders lead at the top of the ENL stretches to 3 points although the Dynamos do have 4 games in hand.
Next up for Jeremy Cornish’s team is a home game against Milton Keynes Thunder who held them to a 3-3 draw at Ryde Arena back in September. Face off is at 6pm.
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Nicky Craft
