Streatham continued their dominant start to the NIHL Division One South season with a resounding 15-1 victory over Oxford City Stars at home. From the opening puck drop, the hosts made it clear they were in control.
**Fast Start and Early Domination**
The game began with a bang as Luke Brittle scored just 16 seconds in, setting the tone for what would be a one-sided affair. Oxford’s goalkeeper, Morgan Parsons, managed to withstand a relentless barrage from Streatham for the next 10 minutes, but the pressure was too much. Aidan Doughty soon doubled the lead, and despite Oxford’s best efforts to hold their ground, Streatham exploded with four goals in just four minutes, taking a commanding 6-0 lead by the end of the first period.
**Relentless Pressure and Goals Galore**
The second period saw Streatham continue their onslaught. Brittle added his second with a rare goalie assist from Nik Romahs, and player-coach Ben Paynter found the back of the net to make it 8-0. Oxford’s defense showed signs of breaking down, as Roman Cathcart and Jared Lane quickly made it 10-0. Streatham was showing no mercy as JJ Pitchley added another goal, followed by Brittle completing his hat-trick at the 54-minute mark.
**Oxford’s Lone Bright Spot**
Oxford managed a brief respite when Joe Covey scored a breakaway goal, denying Romahs a shutout. However, Streatham was quick to respond and kept piling on the pressure. Ryan Watt made it 13-1, and the scoring didn’t stop there. Henry Aiken, marking his first goal in four years, scored in the 58th minute, and with just 10 seconds left on the clock, Lane rounded off the game with the final goal of the night.
**Post-Game Thoughts**
Player-coach Ben Paynter reflected on the game, saying, “It wasn’t the kind of game we want to be playing in, but we handled it professionally. We knew what to expect and tried out a few new things, which worked well. I’m pleased with how we finished the game.”
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Streatham showed that their speed, skill, and unrelenting pressure are a recipe for success. With this commanding win, they proved once again they are a force to be reckoned with in the league.
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