Ice-hockey: Streatham make it 20 consecutive victories in all competitions as Chieftains crash

Streatham made it 20 straight wins following a 5-3 win at Chelmsford Chieftains on Sunday, writes David Carr.

The South Londoners had a short bench due to injury and illness – including missing top-scorer Vanya Antonov – to face opponents coach Michael Farn had labelled the strongest opposition his side had faced this year.

A devastating display in the first period saw the RedHawks take a 4-0 lead to silence the sell-out crowd. Ryan Watt, Scott Bailey, Milique Martelly and Ben Paynter scored.

Cameron Bartlett pulled a goal back for Chelmsford, only to see Paynter add his second to make it

5-2. Bartlett bagged a brace before the buzzer in a period saw the hosts outshoot Streatham.

With a three-goal cushion heading into the third period, the visitors began to look a little nervy as Bailey took a high sticking penalty, and James Ayling netted on the powerplay to pull the Chieftains back to within two goals of drawing level.

“We knew we had bodies missing so we had to change our game plan,” said man-of-the-match Ben Paynter.

“Winning a game like that short benched keeps confidence high and results have continued to go our way of late.

Tommy Annetts did a great job between the pipes keeping them out, particularly under sustained pressure at times. He’s played a key role again in our win.”

Streatham host Romford tomorrow and will be presented with the London Cup by a league representative.

The RedHawks gave themselves an unassailable lead at the top of the group a couple of weeks ago thanks to a win at Invicta, and now get the chance to lift a second trophy of the season on home ice in what will be the final game of the round robin competition.