The Invicta Dynamos made it a good start to the weekend with a comfortable win against Oxford City Stars on Saturday night.

Invicta ,missing new import Joonas Liimatainen, the experienced Grant Baxter, Charlie Phillips and Mark Lee had to play in their warm-up shirts following an error on Oxford’s part meant the home team only had their away shirts available.

Steve Osman put the Dynamos ahead on 1:59 following good build-up play and assist from Callum Fowler. Fowler would again be involved in the 2nd goal as his pass was converted by Andy Smith, with Smith now getting ever closer to the magic 1000 points mark. Frankie Harvey was also heavily involved in the creation of the 2nd goal and looked impressive all night on the first line.

The 3rd line were soon involved in getting on the score sheet as Harrison Lillis stroked home after Nicky Lewis and Adam McNicoll carved open the goal scoring opportunity.

With the Dynamos starting cruise the referee decisions that have haunted them in recent weeks came back in anger again. An Oxford shot on 09:25 hit the scoreboard behind Chris Douglas’s net, fell nicely to Joe Edwards who set-up Josh Oliver for an easy goal. Despite protests from Invicta players and fans, referee Dan Boardman allowed the goal.

Dynamos would not let the incident get them down and were unlucky not to get a fourth goal on 15:03 as Fowler found Harvey who skated past a few Oxford players, found Smith who’s back-flick found Fowler racing clear, only for netminder James Skaife to scramble down and cover the puck.

Oxford broke-clear with 4 seconds of the 1st period remaining but captain Anthony Leone did well to get back and halt the attack, albeit it cost him a tripping penalty.

The Dynamos started the 2nd period defending the Leone penalty and Oxford took full advantage as James Pentecost found Darren Elliott who pulled the score back to 3-2 in favour of Invicta on 20:53.

It didn’t take the Dynamos long to respond as the second line trio of Leone, Osman and Huska combined on 21:36 for Juraj Huska to get his first of the night.

Frankie Harvey then made it 5-2 on 25:04 as he combined with Andy Smith and Elliott Dewey to fire the puck home. Harvey could have had his 2nd of the night on 25:47 after Callum Fowler put him through but Skaife, not for the first time did well to save.

Against the run of play, Oxford made the score 5-3 after James Pentecost took advantage of an opening in the Dynamos defending zone after being found by Jamie Newton.

Callum Fowler got sent to the penalty box on 30:28 for tripping but it wasn’t to prevent a shorthanded goal to make it 6-3 on 31:11 as Huska’s powerful shot flew past Skaife for the best goal of the night.

Anthony Leone then tapped home the 7th goal for Invicta after Huska’s pass found him with an easy opportunity stretch the lead.

The start to the 3rd period was a much quieter affair until Harrison Lillis and Joe Oliver took a dislike to each other and started tussling away, with both players sent to the penalty box on 2+2 minute charges.

Chances fell to Frankie Harvey on 45:44, Andy Smith on 46:46 but Skaife again did well to keep the scores down. Chris Douglas was called into action 49.33 as he produced a double save from Jacob Smith and Jamie Newton.

The 8th and final goal of the night came from Frankie Harvey as the former London Raiders star gave Skaife no chance after being found by Elliott Dewey.

Invicta Dynamos man of the match – Callum Fowler