MATCH REPORT: A capital performance in London extends winning streak
The city team stormed to a 6-1 victory at London Raiders’ lavish new rink in their only NIHL Division One South fixture of the weekend.
It was a fifth consecutive victory for Slava Koulikov’s side to keep pace with title rivals Basingstoke - and the performance that earned it was hugely impressive.
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Hide AdPhantoms were briefly behind to a Sean Berry strike before a quickfire brace from Darius Pliskauskas turned the contest.
The Lithuanian international netted twice in the space of 15 seconds before defenceman Tom Norton bagged his second goal in as many games.
And Phantoms then put the result beyond doubt early in the second period courtesy of a three-minute double from Owen Griffiths.
Leigh Jamieson was denied by the crossbar in the final period before captain James Ferrara completed the romp in Romford with a powerplay effort.
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Hide AdPhantoms remain level with Basingstoke at the summit, but that situation could change tonight (February 25) when the Bison play at Bracknell.
The city side are back in action next weekend with two crucial home clashes in the space of 24 hours - they host London on Saturday (March 3, 7pm) before facing Basingstoke in a top-of-the-table showdown on Sunday (March 4, 5.30pm).
Their final outing - at home to Streatham - is on March 10.
MATCH DETAILS
Goals
London
5:45 Barry ass: Sylvester/Ayliffe
Phantoms
6:41 Pliskauskas ass: Griffiths/Robson
6:56 Pliskauskas ass: J. Ferrara/Griffiths
12:15 Norton ass: Weldon/Billing
20:29 Griffiths ass: R. Ferrara/Pliskauskas
23:24 Griffiths ass: J. Ferrara
54:35 J. Ferrara (PP) ass: Salem/Jamieson
Men-of-the-match
London – Sean Barry
Phantoms – Owen Griffiths