Juraj Huska celebrates a goal for Romford Raiders

Romford hit back to earn draw

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Juraj Huska’s last-minute goal saved Romford Raiders from a home defeat against the Isle of Wight in the first leg of their Challenge Cup contest last night.

Huska struck his second goal of the game with 48 seconds remaining to seal a 4-4 tie at Rom Valley Way, with the second leg taking place on the island on February 18.

But the ENL Division One leaders might be kicking themselves after letting a two-goal lead slip.

Tom Davis struck on an early powerplay to open the scoring, as Wight import Joe Rand served a slashing minor.

And Matt Turner doubled the advantage a minute later before Andrius Kaminskas clashed with Richard Facey.

Both players received double minors for roughing and Wight hit back through Rand.

The scoreline remained unchanged until the 36th minute when Rand netted his second on a powerplay, after Huska was called for tripping, to level.

But Romford quickly regained the lead as player-coach Danny Marshall set up Huska.

Dominic Hopkins made it 3-3 with an unassisted goal, after which Romford lost Billy Phillips to a roughing minor.

And Wight cashed in as Grant Rounding struck on the powerplay to give them the lead.

Tempers boiled over with two and a half minutes remaining as Kaminskas clashed with Wight goalie Liam McAllister.

Wight also lost Rand to a 2+10 penalty for checking from behind and Romford, who dominated the shot count 41-27, gave themselves hope for the return leg as Turner set up Huska to equalise.

Romford Fury were edged out by Invicta Mustangs in a hard-fought ENL Division Two encounter.

Fury had won five of their previous six matches, but were restricted to just a single goal in a 2-1 loss.

JJ Pitchley celebrated his 18th birthday with the Romford strike, but Invicta goalie James Tanner held firm otherwise.