Team Ireland comes to Streatham

Terry Kane and the Streatham Guardian have kindly allowed us to reproduce these images, taken at the match against Team Ireland, Feb 20th 2005. Here is the match report written at the time.

Image copyright Terry Kane/Streatham Guardian

Streatham Redskins warmed up for the forthcoming play off campaign with a hard fought 5-3 home victory against international opposition last weekend. Team Ireland arrived at the High Road rink on Sunday en route to the World Championships later this month. Redskins have their own prestige games ahead with a play off place already guaranteed. Coach Adam Goldstone took the challenge game seriously as the South London side prepares for a top of the table trip to Oxford this weekend, and with a demanding play off schedule ahead.

'We started off strong, but then we let them get back in to it,' said Goldstone. We had to kick up a gear, which we did, and ended up with a really good game. It was a good evening, and I hope our supporters enjoyed seeing us up against different opponents. Now, we have to take the lessons to Oxford."

Image copyright Terry Kane/Streatham Guardian

Steve Paris scored for Streatham after only 26 seconds, and then Captain Peter Quiney added a second. The luck of the Irish was nowhere to been as Paris powered home a third. Home net minder Adam Noctor saw little rubber on a Team Ireland power play, but the visitors found a breakthrough with two minutes left in the period as a static Streatham D watched the puck slot underneath Noctor.

Image copyright Terry Kane/Streatham Guardian

Team Ireland attacked Streatham after the re-start and scored a second at 22:39. The pace picked up midway in the period with both teams battling in the corners and taking penalties. But Streatham's hard men also have their skilful side as well as the strength. None more so than Wayne Trunchion who netted a superb solo effort at 34:38 to set up a 4-2 score line.

Streatham still had some work to do in the final period with only a two goal cushion. Victor Somfaleanu scored a fifth at 45:41. Steve Dulmage was thrown out of the game for fighting late in the period, taking the 'challenge' nature of the match a little too far. But Irish eyes weren't smiling as Streatham skated off to a 5-2 victory.

Image copyright Terry Kane/Streatham Guardian

'It was the kind of hockey that I was looking for to key my guys up for the World Championships in Mexico next month,' said Team Ireland Coach Jim Graves. 'I feel very pleased with the effort from both teams - they were evenly matched but Streatham seized the opportunities and it showed in the final score. Exhibition matches are talked about as a "friendly" but at the end of the day, both clubs are there to win. I've loved coming back here; there's nowhere like Streatham. It's been a lot of years since I played here and I'm so proud that my team got behind me. They knew that this game meant a lot to me personally. I want to thank Adam Goldstone and the entire Streatham organisation - I can't say enough about how much we appreciate the effort and support we've received.'

Image copyright Terry Kane/Streatham Guardian

'Half our team come from Dublin and the other half, from Belfast; it's a good mix of skill and age and we have players with huge commitment. Although we've played two games in two days, on top of having travelled over from Ireland, this is actually great preparation for us because the tournament in Mexico City is going to entail us playing four games in four days there. The endurance and the fitness level we'll have been able to develop from playing hockey over two days here will certainly show.'

Image copyright Terry Kane/Streatham Guardian

Team Ireland's No.12, Gareth Martin, added 'Last year I played with the Belfast Giants, so there is a slight difference, but to be honest the effort level is all the same. Last night's game at Peterborough, the guy's heads weren't really in it. Tonight, we came here optimistic and we wanted to give it our best. If we had've got the third goal, it could have been closer but Streatham got the extra goal and it kinda knocked the momentum out of our guys. Streatham knew what they were doing; we gave them a pretty good game but they were the better team at the end of the day. The support around the arena was great - it really pumped us as much as the home team. Streatham have some great fans out there.'

Image copyright Terry Kane/Streatham Guardian

And the Streatham view? This is from Steve Paris: 'The boys were really relaxed from the start. We had no pressure on us and the first period showed that but, just like at Bracknell, we expected them to lie down and let us win the game. In the changing room between the first and second period, we realised that they were going to keep coming and coming at us - and they did. They made life difficult for us, but we came through.'

Image copyright Terry Kane/Streatham Guardian

'They've got a big world championships ahead and they have to pick up their game to survive, but they showed their determination. If they win out there, I'll be very proud for them. A few tempers got frayed, and I came close to losing it myself out there on the ice tonight, but I had to think about the penalties because of the games we've got coming up. The game at Oxford next week is really important to us and the recent draw between Invicta and Oxford has left me feeling worried - Oxford are not messing around. We'll have to train hard, everyone has to turn up and work and we have to be on the top of our game next weekend, to stand a chance.'