Juraj Huska goes close for Raiders

Marshall: It’s only half-time

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

Romford Raiders player-coach Danny Marshall was glad to see his side fight back and draw the first leg of their Raiders Challenge with the Isle of Wight.

Juraj Huska’ last-minute goal salvaged a 4-4 tie at Rom Valley Way, with the second leg at Ryde on February 18.

And Marshall remains confident of adding more silverware to the trophy cabinet, having already lifted the South East Trophy this season.

He said: “We didn’t deserve to be 4-3 down, but we pulled it back and we’ll go to their rink and start again.

“We came out quite strong and went 2-0 up, but then took out foot off a bit.

“They got back into the game with some powerplay goals and we’re trying to work on that. We had a good game at Chelmsford and know we can do it, but we’ve got to work on staying out of the penalty box.”

Tom Davis and Matt Turner netted inside the opening ten minutes to put Romford on top on Sunday, but import forward Joe Rand replied either side of the break to get Wight back on terms.

Huska restored Romford’s advantage before the end of the second period, but Dominic Hopkins squared matters once more and Grant Rounding put the visitors ahead.

Marshall added: “We were the better team and outshot them. Their goalie made some good saves but a few of had opportunities that didn’t go in, when normally you’d expect us to score.

“The ones you didn’t expect to, went in. It was one of those nights, but we pulled it back and a draw is a draw.

“I’d rather it happen in the Challenge Cup than the league and we’re all square going to their rink. I’m happy enough.”

Table-topping Raiders return to ENL Division One action on Saturday with a trip west to face an improving Bristol side.

They need to win their last nine matches to be sure of the title and Marshall’s men skated to a 9-2 success when the Pitbulls visited Rom Valley Way earlier this month.

Raiders welcome Slough on Sunday (5.15pm).