Streatham Redskins went down to a 8-2 defeat to Invicta Dynamos in their latest English National League clash at Streatham Ice Rink on Sunday.

Coach Barry Spours handed debuts to Russell Stevens, Adrian Wheeler and Kalvin Dodds but still managed to only have a short bench due to injuries.

A noisy crowd greeted the teams on the ice and Streatham started brightly. It was the visitors however who scored first through former Streaham captain Joe Johnston.

The home side struggled to keep pace with three strong lines Invicta iced. Minutes later Invicta increased their lead through the ever dangerous Andy Smith.

With Invicta two goals ahead, it was a relief to the home support when top scorer Louis Lockwood pulled on e back for the Redskins with only minutes to go.

If the Redskins thought that this would put pressure on Invicta they were mistaken.

With seconds remaining a stranded James Tanner in the Streatham goal managed to recover and make a spectacular dive and deny Invicta captain Karl Lennon.

The second period was poor for the home side as the visitors made their extra bodies count. Swede Johan Stenvall made it 3-1 and then Peter Vaisenan scored a brace to give the Dynamos a four goal cushion.

Halfway through the game a big hit by Dodd grounded Invicta’s David Oliver and the former Romford defenceman was stretchered off the ice.

In the third period Streatham seemed to have run out of steam. Invicta extended their lead even further shortly afterwards when another Streatham old boy, this time Jack Tarczycki made it 6-1.

The Redskins immediately replied through the energetic Lockwood to make it 6-2 before another Louis Lockwood effort made it 6-2.

Any thoughts of a comeback were soon dashed when two goals in as many minutes gave the Dynamos both points. Nicky Lewis and Mark Williams were the scorers to finish off a battling Redskins side.

Spours was delighted with his goalie but frustrated at the current resources at his disposal: "This season we have exceptionally strong goal keeping in the shape of James Tanner and Will Sanderson and it is often difficult to choose between the two as to who should play in each game, this friendly rivalry drives both goalies on to up their game.

"I personally have been involved in hockey since 1978 and so have see some great goalies in my time and some great saves too, but one save in particular from James Tanner just blew me away."

"At the moment guys are averaging a stagger 25-30 minutes of playing time, and this also leaves them vulnerable to injury when the fatigue sets in.

"On the upside a small band of players forges a very strong sense of camaraderie and the bond between the players is exceptionally strong at this time. I do feel that once we have a full complement of players we will become a very difficult team to beat."

The Redskins next home game is on the 1st November at 18.45.