Goalmouth action from Romford's clash with the Isle of Wight

Romford 6 Isle of Wight 3

Romford Raiders fought back from three goals down to keep their title dream alive at Rom Valley Way last night.

Barely three minutes had been played when Craig Tribe gave Isle of Wight the lead on an early powerplay, after Juraj Huska was called for slashing.

Richard Facey doubled Wight’s advantage midway through the opening period and made it 3-0 with another powerplay goal, as Frankie Harvey served a high-sticking minor.

Huska hit back before the first break, though, and Tom Davis netted the only goal of the middle period to close the gap to one.

Sam Waller put Wight 4-2 up in the 47th minute but Ryan Giles replied with a rare goal less than a minute later.

Grant Taylor then squared matters in the 50th minute and Huska edged the hosts in front for the first time at 50:24.

AJ Smith gave Romford some breathing space in the 55th minute and they held on to keep pace with leaders Chelmsford, who skated to a 7-3 win over Invicta.

Raiders host the Dynamos in a vital cup tie on Saturday, having skated to an 11-1 win over Division Two side Peterborough at the weekend to keep their hopes of a final place alive.

They had to wait until late in the first period to break the deadlock through Huska’s shorthanded strike, but led 3-0 at the break after Harvey and Matt Turner netted 21 seconds apart.

Harvey, Huska, AJ Smith and Danny Marshall added second period goals to make it 7-0.

And Smith struck again before Luke Barber ended Shane Kemp’s shutout hopes in the 47th minute.

Marshall, Huska and Turner added further goals in the final six minutes to complete a comfortable victory, as Jason Buckman finished with six assists to his name, equalling the club record for a defenceman.

n Romford Fury skated to a 3-2 win over derby rivals Chelmsford Warriors in Division Two.

Thomas Larkin put Fury ahead late in the first period, but Mason Webster levelled on a powerplay after the restart.

Lee Mercer restored Romford’s lead just past the midway mark, but Warriors drew level with another powerplay goal early in the third period.

And the match remained in the balance until Mel Bidder netted Fury’s winner with less than five minutes remaining.