News
 

NIHL1 Devils v Streatham Redskins 1/12 Report

5th Dec 2012 | Posted by Geraint Walters

Cardiff NIHL Devils 12 – 3 Streatham Redskins
 
The Cardiff NIHL Devils were back in action looking to bounce back from a disappointing road loss at Romford. The team travelled light to the RVW, relying on five U18s to make up the lines, and were suitably punished for it. Whilst this team recognises its responsibility to develop the local young talent at the club, this game goes to highlight that integrating the kids along with experienced senior players is the way to go. A team meeting was called and the players have come out of it with a rejuvenated attitude and commitment to be a more professional outfit. Saturdays result shows that those new resolutions should pay dividends.
 
Suspensions from the Romford game for both Head Coach Mark Cuddihy and starting goalkeeper Mike Brabon, meant that the pair were confined to the stands and Ross Piggott had to carry out a split role of dressing as back-up keeper and bench coaching. Luckily the team carry 2 assistant coaches to support Cudds and Ben Smith also took command from the bench. Takel took to the pipes for the 5th time this season.
 
Opening exchanges in the 1st minute were all Streatham’s. They quickly carved out a few decent half chances and showed they were at the BBT to get a result. However the Devils opened the scoring when they went in to score with their first shot. Steve Osman adding to his already impressive season tally. However, buoyed by some recent wins, the Redskins confidence was high and they quickly responded through Jakub Klima. This in turn gave them another lift and spurred on by the constant beating of their travelling fan’s drums, they went on to build a 3-1 lead. In truth it could have been 5-1 by the end of the first period had Takel not pulled some big breakaway saves. The Devils retreated to their dressing room for the interval to assess where they were going wrong.
 
The Devils emerged a much more organised outfit in the second period causing many less turnovers and creating many more chances. A shot from the point from Chris Hart and a visionary pass by Deacon to find Scarbrough at the back post tied the game at 3 a piece. Rupe Quiney then bagged the forth by scoring past his old club, stepping in from the blue to take a shot and then tuck away his own rebound. It was now a 1 goal game and despite dominating the scoring that period, they home side were very much in a game. The Redskins went close with some well earned chances themselves, but Takel seemed to have shut the door for the evening and was equal to everything coming his way. 4-3 end of the second.
 
The final period was all Cardiff. Ricky Deacon followed in to put away a Scarbrough breakaway chance that fell his way and likewise Sedlak scored after Fisher’s initial deke had been saved. Young player of the year Joey Morris bagged his first senior goal when he fired one in from the blue line and tough-guy Ross Wilkonson enjoyed an eventful flurry of shifts, firstly by placing a huge, legal check on Klima that left the import in a heap before then bagging a brace in the last 5 mins either side of a solo goal by Fisher. It was fair to say that the Redskins looked a deflated side after being 3-1 up to losing 12-3 come the final whistle. The Devils showing great maturity to compose themselves despite trailing early and eradicated the errors from their game as it progressed. MoM beers went to Takel for another fine performance in nets, showing the league the strength and depth Cardiff contain in their goalkeepers.

« Back to News