Raiders defenceman finds positives in latest losses

Raiders picked up a point from a penalty shootout loss against Telford at Romford’s Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre on Saturday.

However, they were left empty-handed in Peterborough the following night, after a 7-5 defeat against the Phantoms, and have just two wins in their first 10 matches of the 2023-24 campaign.

But Dewey felt there were encouraging signs for Sean Easton’s side in both matches.

“Overall, a disappointing weekend again,” he said.

“However, a much improved performance at home where I think we dominated the game for large periods.

“Telford are a well coached and organised side with good special teams and that was shown.

“Ultimately coming down to a shootout which can go either way.

“Peterborough away, is always a difficult game but again periods of the game we dominated.

“Coming back to make it a one-goal game showed good character and we had chances to tie the game.”

Dewey opened the scoring early on against Telford, but Jesse Sutton levelled at the start of the second period.

Adam Laishram restored Raiders lead on the powerplay, only for Harry Ferguson and Sutton to reply either side of the second break to put Tigers 3-2 up.

Jake Sylvester tied things up once more, but neither side could find a winner in overtime and Laishram was the only one of five Raiders to net his penalty shot.

Mikey Power, Laishram and captain Aaron Connolly struck in the first period at Peterborough, as the sides shared six goals.

But the hosts moved 6-3 up in the middle stanza, before Connolly and Dewey cut the gap to one in the final session only for an empty-net goal to secure the points for Phantoms.

And Dewey, with only one goal in his previous 76 appearances for Raiders and having never previously scored two league goals in a senior season, took little comfort from his weekend double.

“On a personal note, scoring is always good and uncommon for myself but I much prefer contributing to two points,” added the 26-year-old, ahead of a trip to Bristol on Saturday, before the Bulldogs pay a return visit the next night.

“A couple of bounces and on another day we get a couple of wins last weekend,” he said.

“Looking ahead, the Bristol double-header is a good opportunity to get back to it.

“A good, young and energetic team which won’t back down but something we look forward to and can hopefully come out with a good weekend of results.”