Wightlink Raiders 5, Chelmsford Chieftains 1
A BROKEN piece of Plexiglass delayed the start of the game on the Isle of Wight on Saturday but that was about the only problem for the home side.
Raiders went 1-0 just over 10 minutes into the game through Danny Hughes.
Chieftains battled hard and did their best to keep the scoreline within reach as the game headed into the first break. In fact the Chieftains had the majority of the shots and outshot the Raiders 12-9 in the first period.
Just under half way into the second period it became 2-0 when Alex Murray fired past Ben Clements with Hughes getting the assist. Ross Brears gave the away fans something to cheer about on 32.55 with a nicely taken powerplay goal with Alex Green and Aaron Connolly picking up the assists. However, that was the end of the scoring for the Chieftains this evening.
Player-coach Jeremy Cornish then netted on a powerplay to make it 3-1 and then early in the third period Murray netted his second of the game with former Chieftain Hughes notching his second assist.
Another former Chieftain killed off any hopes of a valiant comeback as Luke Reynolds made it 5-1.
James Ayling was the star of the show for the Chieftains as he picked up the man of the match award while young Matt Colclough in the Raiders goal took home the award for the home team.
Chieftains club captain Richard Whiting recently made his 500th appearance for the club and a special event will take place at the Chieftains return match against Wightlink tonight (Sunday).
The game is at the usual time of 6.30pm at the Riverside in Chelmsford. Tickets usual price of £7:50 adults, £3:50 kids and £19 family.