The Invicta Dynamos stand on the brink of the NIHL Southern Cup Final after drawing the first leg of their semi-final 4-4.

Kevin Parrish’s side went to local rivals Streatham Redskins shorthanded with club leaging scorer Andy Smith missing after his daughter went into hospital for an operation, netminder Chris Douglas was missing after his dislocated shoulder prevented him from playing, Ryan Giles was on holiday, whilst Peter Beerling was unable to travel.

With such a small roster in which to choose from, the Dynamos had to put in a good shift and they came away with the draw.

It was the home side that took the lead in the 11th minute, but the Dynamos were level within a minute as Juraj Huska fired home to see the two teams go in level after the first period.

In a see-saw game that went one way and then the other, Elliott Knell put the Dynamos ahead in the 26th minute, only for the Redskins to score twice inside the space of two minutes to take a 3-2 lead.

Three minutes before the second buzzer Danny Hammond was sent free down the ice to score making it 3-3 going into the final period.

Just 77 seconds into that final period there was a lengthy stoppage in play as Dynamos’ Shaun Yardley needed extensive treatment on the ice after colliding with the boards.

After a break of almost half an hour, Yardley was taken from the ice on a stretcher to hospital.

With another man down, the Dynamos showed plenty of spirit in that final period with Callum Fowler putting the visitors 4-3 up in the 45th minute.

The home side were to level once again a minute later, whilst having a goal washed out in the final few seconds to set up the second leg nicely.

Both teams will meet again on Sunday night at the Silver Blades Ice Bowl in Gillingham for what is sure to be a classic with the match so evenly poised.

Face off is at 5:15pm with fans advised to get to the game early due to the large number of fans expected to see the clash.

Picture supplied by David Trevallion.