Cardiff Junior Devils 8-3 Isle of Wight (u16's)

Cardiff’s under 16’s entertained the home crowd for the first time this season when they welcomed the Thunders from IOW on Saturday night. At the absence of bench coach Andy Edwards, Brent Pope and under 14’s coach Jamie Elson stepped in to lead the team to well deserved victory.

Despite an intensive team talk in the changing room, Cardiff started off disorganized and did not create many chances in front of IOW’s net-minder, they allowed too much pressure on their own goalie James Wallace who faced thirteen shots just in the first period. One shot was an unexpected, lethal shot passed from the blue line.

The second period was much more focused and it took only 33 seconds for the Devils to equalise, thanks to a fine solo from #12 Josh Haslam.

From here on the Devils displayed good skills, James Wallace stood more confident between the pipes and the crowd saw both sides now creating chances. Unfortunately though IOW capitalised on theirs and went 1-2 up at 19.24, but, to follow was a thrilling and exciting 5 minutes of play.

Cardiff draw level again through Lewis Jones, and minutes later, after superbly dribbling through IOW’s defence finishing off with an awesome backhand Kieran Latchford (U14’s player) scored an amazing goal! This gave Cardiff the lead for the first time, but sadly it was sort lived as the Thunders answered back when their #5 fired a long distance shot to make it 3-3.

In the third, IOW ran into penalty trouble which gave Cardiff two power plays to make use of. Nathan Dunn picked up a rebound off #16 Giovanni Raffaelli’s slap-shot from blue line to score and put the Devils in front once more.

It was all change in the net for the Devils; Tom Parkinson swapped places with James Wallace to see out the remainder of the game.

Now with nineteen enthusiastic players on Cardiff’s bench the Devils were going strong, they were determined to get the win as they continued pressurising IOW’s net. Three quick goals were scored thanks to Alex Mancuso, Josh Haslam and Lewis Jones to give the Devils a comfortable lead.

IOW changed net-minders also but it was too late, the eager Devils added one more to their tally through Man of the Match, Latchford, assisted by his u14’s team mate #5 Callum Buglass.

Final result 8-3, a massive boost of confidence for the team in time for their next opponents, big rivals, the Swindon Cubs. The game saw a much improved u16’s team compared to last week’s defeat in Haringey; all players played their part in the fantastic win. A massive well done to all the boys.

Game Stats

Goal Scorers:

#12 Josh Haslam 2+0 #18 Lewis Jones 2+1 #13 Kieran Latchford 2+0 #7 Nathan Dunn 1+1 #20 Alex Mancuso 1+0 #5 Callum Buglass 0+1 #16 Giovanni Raffaelli 0+1

Shots on Goal:	Man of the Match:	Spirit of the Game:
#1 Ben Parkinson 3 #2 James Wallace 34	#13 Kieran Latchford	#2 JamesWallace