Ice-hockey: Streatham tame Wildcats as they make it six-point weekend

BY CHRISTOPHER BEAL

Streatham concluded 2024 on home ice with a 5-1 win over Swindon Wildcats 2 on Sunday to seal a full six-point weekend.

George Norcliffe scored one goal and both Roman Cathcart and Danny Ingoldsby picked up two as they also won at Wildcats a day earlier.

The RedHawks struck early in the home match. With just 15 seconds on the clock Danny Ingoldsby netted for the hosts.

Despite sustained pressure on the Swindon net, Streatham failed to score further goals during the opening period. Ben Clarke-Leach stopped everything the Streatham offence could throw at him.

The game was tied up at after 14 minutes when Ben Paynter was sent to the box for a cross checking penalty. Swindon’s Samuel Rai scoring on the man advantage heading into the first break.

Clarke-Leach continued to deny Streatham in the secondnd period, and it took 10 minutess before RedHawks found a way through. Ryan Watt scored on 33 minutes, assisted by James Warman and JJ Pitchley.

Streathan soon made it 3-1 with Sam Waller firing in from long range.

It took until near the close of the game before Streatham scored again, on 56 minutes, through Ziggy Beesley.

A slashing penalty to Ryan Watt at 58 minutes seemingly presented the Wildcats with a chance to get one more consolation effort.

But Streatham force a turnover on 59 minutes, releasing Danny Ingoldsby to score his second of the game.

Player-coach Ben Paynter said: “Defensively they are solid, they take away scoring opportunities. But overall, we dominated most of that game. It just took us a little while to find the scoring touch against them.

“Swindon’s system is take away the house, take away the front of the net and take away grade-A scoring chances. They are a young team that will get better year on year.”

Streatham will next be in action on the High Road on Sunday January 5 when they welcome Oxford City Stars (6.45pm).