The Invicta Dynamos returned to action on Sunday following a three week Christmas break but a disjointed display saw them fall 5-2 at home at the hands of Streatham IHC in the NIHL South Division 1.

The Dynamos were short George Hoang, Ashley Jackson and Tom Long leaving them with 17 players whilst the visitors numbered the same – Brandom Miles, Ben Paynter and Adam Wood their absentees. Damien King and Matt Colclough were the starting netminders.

The opening frame was a scrappy affair but Streatham, having had the benefit of returning to action the night before, enjoyed the better of the early chances. Damien King stopped Adam Carr prodding home from point blank left before both Daniel Rose and Aidan Doughty were also denied by the netminder having been found all alone right in front. The hosts battled their way into the tie the further it progressed – Callum Fowler deking around his man wide left but firing off the shoulder of Matt Colclough and Tommy Ralph dinging the crossbar with a drive from the high slot.

A 12.07 a boarding penalty to James Warman would prove costly for the visitors – Ross Connolly’s shot from the middle of the blue line being tipped beyond the Streatham goalie by Steve Osman at the left post at 12.28.

Streatham attempted to answer but Daniel Rose’s drive towards the far post from the left circle was coolly gloved by Damien King. Before time was out Mason Webster and Ryan Watt tangled briefly behind the play before exchanging shoves but the physicality stopped there with no penalties awarded.

1-0 up at the end of the first, the second began well for the Dynamos with Ross Connolly and Louis Colvin both testing Matt Colclough with early shots. However, at 27.07, the tie took a twist with the Redhawks tallying to level the score and claim the momentum. Adam Carr carried the play into the offensive zone down the left channel and his backhand pass found Ryan Webb unguarded right in front allowing the forward to tuck between the netminder’s pads for 1-1.

Streatham continued to build pressure on the home net, with Alexander Sampford striking the upright from close right, and they earned another breakthrough at 34.52. Not content with one goal Ryan Webb claimed a second – his first shot from the right circle blocked by the dive of Arran Strawson but his follow up straight over the shoulder of Damien King and into the top far corner for a 2-1 lead.

That lead then looked comfortable at 36.55 – James Warman’s low blue line drive looking relatively tame but it slipped through the pads of the Dynamos’ netminder who may have been unsighted to give Streatham a two goal cushion. Before the period was out tempers then flared briefly as Ross Connolly reacted to a hit by Daniel Rose with a hefty one of his own and the Redhawks man responded with a slash that caught Connolly in the delicates. Connolly was sent to the box for charging and Rose also given a seat for slashing.

In the final frame the Mos continued to look disjointed and nearly coughed up further goals despite being on the powerplay. Though they had the man advantage, the hosts gave up a 2-on-1 but Arran Strawson shoved Daniel Rose to the ice to end the opportunity. Aidan Doughty then chased down a long clearance to go clean through but, as Damien King left his crease to close him down, the forward rushed his shot and fired wide.

At 48.46 Streatham’s pressure would tell – Jacob Ranson was found between the faceoff circles and his shot on the spin was over the reach of the netminder prompting an exuberant celebration from the forward and securing a 4-1 lead for the visitors.

The Mos continued to push forward and Steve Osman’s effort from close right forced Matt Colclough into a save but in truth the shot stopper was rarely considerably troubled even when the hosts secured powerplays with Brendan Baird and James Warman taking time in the box. In fact the Redhawks claimed their last of the night whilst shorthanded – at 55.17 Christopher Cooke sent Adam Carr through on the breakaway and, as Damien King dived low, the forward coolly converted off the underside of the bar for the 5-1 lead.

The Mos would claim the final goal of the evening at 57.57 but it was little more than a consolation – Scott Bailey skipping out from the left boards and firing between the legs of Matt Colclough from the left circle to cut the deficit to 5-2. In the final moments tempers then flared again – Mason Webster reacting to a hit by Christopher Cooke along the boards by ditching the gloves and attempting to land blows. With his team three goals to the good and the clock in their favour, Cooke had little reason to fight and immediately turtled before the linesmen intervened. Webster would receive 2+2+10 for roughing with the final buzzer sounding moments later.

So it was a poor night for the Dynamos who looked disjointed after their lengthy Christmas break and will be disappointed with the type of goals conceded. Neither team put in a vintage performance but Streatham were organised, took their chances and grinded out then win – the Londoners good value for the points. Man of the match awards went to the excellent Ryan Webb of the visitors and Ross Connolly for the Mos.