Defenceman pays tribute to ‘Peterborough Five’

Raiders defenceman David Oliver was sad to see the team lose five players due to financial reasons, but has faith in the remaining squad to put up a fight in the second half of the season.

The reluctant release of Euan King, Dwayne Newman, Jason Buckman, Shaun Yardley and Nathan Pollard, came straight after last Saturday’s 8-5 home loss to the Isle of Wight and was attributed to falling revenues associated with the team’s forced relocation from Romford to Lee Valley this season.

Losing the ‘Peterborough Five’ came as a shock to players and supporters, despite owner Ollie Oliver admitting to the club’s problems in his programme notes a week earlier.

“None of us knew that it was going to happen, although there had been talk that there were maybe some (financial) issues,” said defenceman Oliver.

“That led to rumours and panicking that this week or next week could be the last for the team or some of the players.

“Then at the end of the game we found out that all five of those guys were going, but on the plus side we’ve still got a team and the boys who are left will have to dig in and play. It’s sad to say, but that’s hockey sometimes.”

Oliver admitted his former teammates all added something to the squad and will be missed, but is confident players of their calibre will find other clubs.

He added: “We will miss the guys. ‘Kinger’ was our number one goalie, I’ve never seen anyone who knows as much about hockey as Dwayne Newman.

“Bucky was our skipper and had put in five years service, which made him an important part of the club. Pollard is a good youngster and Yardley knew how to find the net.

“They are all good guys and I’m sure they will all get picked up by other teams.”

Eager to keep spirits high ahead of their trip to the Isle of Wight for a National League fixture tomorrow (Saturday), Oliver added: “I’ve got my passport ready!

“It’s going to be one of those games where it’s hard-hitting, scrappy and about getting the puck on net, which we are used to.

“We’ll have a shorter bench but we always play well with a short bench. We just lost 8-5 to them but I know if we play tighter defensively we can beat them. If you can score five goals in a game you should really be able to win it more often than not.”

Raiders Challenge Cup defeat was their fourth successive loss either side of Christmas.

They started badly and were 3-0 down before Jakub Klima replied either side of the first break.

Wight hit back just nine seconds later to make it 4-2 and added another two goals before the end of the second period.

The visitors went 7-2 up early in the final session before Grant Taylor netted, only for Wight to score their eighth.

But Klima completed his hat-trick and AJ Smith grabbed another consolation goal before the end and make the score line look a little more respectable.