Streatham pay respects to Adam Johnson before recording back-to-back NIHL 1 victories

Streatham won twice last weekend in the NIHL 1 and paid their respects to Adam Johnson before Saturday’s 8-3 home win over Invicta Dynamos, writes Christopher Beal.

Nottingham Panthers’ Johnson died at the end of last month after sustaining a cut to his neck from a skate worn by an opposition player.

Both teams laid a wreath at the High Road and all the players wore neckguards, a further legacy of Johnson’s passing.

Streatham opened the scoring in the eighth minute. JJ Pitchley and Josh Ealey-Newman linked up with Tomasz Skokan applying the finish.

They made it 2-0 eight minutes later through Ben Ealey-Newman with James Warman providing the assist.

A minute later Danny Ingoldsby finished a move started by Luke Brittle and Skokan.

Things did not improve much for the Dynamos in the second period, as Sam Waller scored unassisted. Pitchley opened his scoring account for Streatham after a pass from Warman.

With starting netminder Owen Rider having a rough night in net, the Dynamos opted to send in back-up Kieran Wyatt.

Wyatt had a rough start as it took Streatham just 29 seconds to add another and make it 6-0. Waller and Skokan provided the set-up and Josh Ealey-Newman the finish.

Invicta answered back on 41 minutes. James Laming and Tommy Huggett provided the passes that allowed Tom Soar to score.

After a patch of penalties Streatham struck again. Ben Ealey-Newman and Waller set up player-coach Ben Paynter to make it 7-1.

Luke Brittle intercepted in the Mo’s zone and skated the puck around netminder Kieran Wyatt.

Streatham ended the game in a bit of penalty trouble, which helped the Dynamos to get two more on the board through Josh Condren and Stan Lascek.

Paynter said: “The thing I’m most impressed with was how we bounced back. As a team we’ve had a rough couple of weeks but the boys knew that they had to send a message and get back to playing the right way.

“Winning comes when you play the right way -and playing the right way was the most important thing on Saturday night,. We did that and we were dominant.

“JJ works hard every night, turns up to play, competes and does everything right. It’s nice he’s been rewarded with a goal.

“He’s new to the team and he didn’t find goals as early as expected but he’s given maximum effort, and now he’s got one I’m sure he’ll be flying.

“We showed great character overall. We got ourselves in a little penalty trouble and invited some pressure. If we didn’t take the penalties late on it’s a different game, and we’re not in the situation.

“We worked hard, we started to tire and did take some silly penalties late on. But all in all, it was a great performance from the boys top to bottom and I’m pleased with the performance all round.”

Streatham won 4-2 at Chelmsford Chieftains on Sunday. The South Londoners had to fight back from 2-0 down after Alan Lack and Oliver Baldock scored for the hosts.

A lack of discipline cost the Chieftains as Cameron and Grant Bartlett took penalties in the latter stages of the game.

Cameron was assessed as a five-minute major and match penalty, allowing Streatham to complete a comeback win.

Paynter, Josh Ealey Newman, Waller and Ingoldsby netted four on the bounce.

The Slough Jets visit Streatham for the Britton Cup on Sunday (6.45pm face off).

PICTURES: MEL O’BRIEN/FUSIONAL