AJ Smith put Raiders ahead in their defeat at the Isle of Wight before former club Invicta upset title rivals Chelmsford

Relief for Marshall’s men

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 slipped to a 5-2 defeat at the Isle of Wight at the weekend

But they remain two points clear at the top of the ENL Division One table after titele rivals Chelmsford lost at Invicta last night.

AJ Smith’s shorthanded goal put Danny Marshall’s men ahead inside 90 seconds on the small rink at Ryde, as Julian Smith served the first of three early minor penalties.

But Dominic Hopkins equalised with a powerplay goal and Steve Gosset put the hosts ahead.

A slashing call against Billy Phillips gave Richard Facey the chance to make it 3-1 on another powerplay to complete the first period scoring.

And Wight went further ahead with the only goal of the middle session through Canadian import Joe Rand.

Tyrone Miller replied for an improving Romford in the final period, but the visitors failed to capitalise on three powerplay chances and, after goalie Michael Gray was withdrawn for an extra skater, saw Facey add an empty-net goal to seal a 5-2 win for Wight.

Chelmsford’s 7-2 home win over Cardiff came at a cost as import defenceman Dwayne Newman received a match penalty for elbows.

And Chieftains fell 2-0 behind at Invicta, as Justin Noble and former Romford junior Callum Fowler struck for the Dynamos.

James Ayling and ex-Raider Danny Hammond replied to level before the end of the second period, but Ryan Ellis clinched a 3-2 win for Invicta with the only goal of the final session.

Romford host Chelmsford in the second leg of their Essex Cup meeting on Thursday, looking to overturn a 5-2 deficit from the first leg.

And they return to the Isle of Wight for the second leg of their Raiders Challenge, following a 4-4 draw at Rom Valley Way, on Saturday.

They return to league action with a home game against Invicta on Sunday (5.15pm), with the destiny of the title still in their own hands, just.

Romford Fury maintained their fine form in ENL Division Two with a 5-2 home win over Basingstoke.

It was a seventh win in nine for Fury, to keep their hopes of a top four finish alive, and they host Peterborough this coming Saturday.