SATURDAY 30TH MARCH 2025

Streatham secure a Semi spot.

Match Report by Chris Beal

The Streatham RedHawks secured a place at the NIHL 1 Play off finals
weekend in Sheffield with 2 wins over the Chelmsford Chieftains at the
weekend. Taking the two leg tie 10-2 over the Chieftains in the Semi
Finals of the South 1 play offs.

The bulk of the damage was done on the Saturday as Streatham left
Essex with a 7-1 lead. With Ben Paynter and Ryan Watt scoring a goal
apiece. With Luke Brittle scoring a brace and Danny Ingoldsby
continuing his dominant form of late with a hat-trick.

A 6-goal lead heading into the home leg had many looking back to the
January cup semi-final. Another encounter where Streatham had come
into the game having seemingly done the job in the opening game of the
series. Many pondered, and Chelmsford hoped that history would repeat
itself.

And many could be forgiven for pondering if we were about to see that
history repeat at the end of the first period. As both Jordan Lawday
and Danny Milton put in the first shift of what would be man of the
match performances by both goalies Leading to the first period ending
0-0.

Streatham would have to weather an opening phase of offensive pressure
from the Chieftains in the 2nd. And kill a penalty as JJ Pitchley was
sent to the box for interference at 24 mins. But this big penalty kill
shifted the momentum in the RedHawks favour, and at 27 minutes after
Lawday and Milton had continued trading saves. The RedHawks would
strike first.

Josh Ealey Newman would bury the puck in the net off a pass from
Preston Tombs to open the scoring at 27 minutes. To put Streatham
ahead 1-0 on the night and extend the lead to 7 goals on aggregate at
8-1.

7 minutes later Streatham would extend the lead and add an insurance
marker both on the night and on the aggregate score, to make sure
there would be no repeat miracle comeback by the Chieftains.

Jared Lane and Danny Ingoldsby would work hard behind the net to win
the puck, cycling it to a waiting Roman Cathcart who would find Lawday
out of position and slot it home at 34 minutes. To extend the lead by
another goal, making it 2-0(9-1).

4 Minutes later Jared Lane would be involved in Streatham’s 3rd as the
Chieftains failed to contain the combination of Lane and Ingoldsby
again. Ingoldsby applying the finish at 38 minutes to put the RedHawks
ahead 3-0 on the night and 10-1 on aggregate.

As the clock was ticking down the Chieftains switched play styles up
leading to several contentious moments as the physicality amped up.
But the period would end with Streatham picking up a powerplay as
Grant Bartlett would be given a tripping penalty at 39 minutes. Though
many felt it should have been a harsher call.

Streatham couldn’t convert on the man advantage that carried over into
the 3rd period. But it would be the Cheiftains who after killing the
penalty found some momentum and after pressure were able to convert at
43 minutes. Sam Russell deflecting a puck home Infront of the net
after the set up by Oleksander Maltsev. Making it 3-1 on the night
10-2 overall.

But despite Streatham opting to play out the remaining 17 minutes in a
conservative style, and plenty of pressure by the Chieftains the score
stayed the same. The clock would tick down. Ending the game Streatham
10-2 over the 2 legs, eliminating the Chieftains and sending Streatham
to Sheffield for the play off weekend.

After the game head coach Ben Paynter was pleased with the team’s
performance over the 2 games.

“I think the better team won, simple as that. I think we were
consistent all weekend. We were disciplined in our systems. Clinical
when we needed to be and overall, a really good weekend. We knew we
had to shut them down, and they have top guys that are dangerous. We
eliminated them and it got us the job done.”

The Semi-final win means Streatham will now face the Slough Jets in
the South 1 play off final at Ice Sheffield on Saturday. A win in this
game will see them meet the winners of the North 1 play off final,
with the possibility of a first encounter with the Blackburn Hawks or
a rematch with the team Streatham beat in the NIHL 1 final last season
the, Billingham Stars the next day.