A 5-2 loss at the home of the Romford Raiders on Sunday evening saw the Invicta Dynamos fall to their third road defeat of the season.

The Essex outfit came out on top as goals from captain Andy Smith and forward Callum Best were not enough to secure a share of the spoils.

Looking to bounce back from a dismal showing against the Bristol Pitbulls on their own ice the night before, the Dynamos kept it tight in the opening period and kept their hosts at bay despite being outshot by 13 efforts to three. Netminder Andy Moffat kept the visitors in contention when called upon whilst Romford’s Michael Gray was largely a spectator.

In the second period the Raiders then finally secured the opener as Julian Smith and Tyrone Miller combined before Anthony Leone drove over the line for the 1-0 lead. The Dynamos then hit back close to the break as the first line duo of Andy Smith and Ryan Ellis linked up before Smith found the target but Romford claimed another close to time when Matt Turner beat Andy Moffat with less than two minutes remaining on the clock.

In the final period the visitors then made the better start and they were back on level terms soon after the restart when a move involving the second line trio of Callum Best, Justin Noble and Callum Fowler ended with Best driving home for the 2-2 score line.

Once again though the Raiders were back out in front within a mater of minutes and player/coach Danny Marshall was the man to nudge them ahead as he claimed his side’s third of the evening. The sucker punch then came seven minutes from time when Shaun Wallis gave Romford a two goal cushion and, with the Dynamos pushing forward in search of a way back into the tie late on, JJ McGrath made it 5-2 in the closing moments to secure the points for the current league leaders.

So it was a second defeat of the weekend for the side who put in a much better display on the road but still made the return to Gillingham without the points that would bolster their late charge for third place in the ENIHL South Division 1.

Following the clash, man of the match awards were presented to blue liner David Oliver of Romford whilst fellow defenceman Tim Smith took the spoils for the Dynamos. From here the team now prepare for another double header weekend that begins in Slough against the ENL Jets on Saturday before a Sunday date with the Milton Keynes Thunder on home ice the following night. Faceoff in Gillingham is at 5.15pm.

Picture by David Trevallion