MATCH REPORT | PHANTOMS FALL IN OPENING PRE-SEASON GAME

Three goals in the first period weren’t enough for the SLS Peterborough Phantoms as they tasted defeat in their opening game of the 2026/27 pre-season.

The game saw a host of Phantoms make their debuts for the club, including import trio Matt Hennessey, Adam Berg and Dominik Gabaj. Meanwhile, Ewan Hill faced off against his former side in his Phantoms debut.

It didn’t get off to the best of starts for Ashley Tait’s side, who found themselves one down inside the opening two minutes. Hennessey was equal to Tjay Anderson’s initial effort, but Barret Kirwin was on hand to dispatch the rebound into the back of the Phantoms’ net.

Phantoms began to find their groove and went close when Dillon Lawrence played a pass across the zone to Luke Ferrara, but Owen Rider got across his crease well to make a smart stop.

Hennessey was then called back into action, denying Anderson a breakaway goal for the Raiders.

Phantoms drew level at 12:07 after some good hands from Brad Bowering took the puck to the corner and Phantoms’ #23 found Berg in space out in front, allowing the Canadian forward to snipe home his first goal for the club.

And they hit the front less than a minute and a half later when Phantoms’ top line went tic-tac-toe as Janne Laakkonen found Lawrence, who played it back across for Ferrara to tap home from in close.

The Anderson vs Hennessey battle continued as the Raiders forward got in on a short breakaway, but Phantoms’ #42 kicked out his left pad to make a great save and keep his side ahead.

And they doubled their lead when some good work from Flynn Massie down the left wing saw him pick out the lively Barni Sari behind the goal, who snuck the puck in at the near post of Rider’s goal.

But that was as good as it got for the Phantoms on the night and they were pegged back late in the first period by a Jarrett Baker powerplay one timer from the blue line.

Romford started the second period in the same fashion as the first, as Kirwin picked up his second goal of the game with a good shot into the top corner.

Phantoms continued to probe and went close again when Ferrara found Lawrence going towards goal, but the big Canadian forward fired over the bar.

Rider was then the hero for the visitors as he made three big saves in quick succession, all on Ferrara shots, to keep the game tied at 3-3. He was further tested by Lawrence moments later, making another solid save.

And his team benefitted from his heroics at 29:50 when they retook the lead. This time, the Phantoms were caught on a line change which allowed Romford to break 2-on-1, and Anderson got the timing just right on his pass to Leo Bacallao, who tapped in at the back post.

Phantoms could and probably should have been level when Berg and Nathan Pollard tried the tic-tac-toe, but Hill couldn’t quite convert the chance from close range.

The wind was quickly knocked out of Phantoms sails as the Raiders notched an early goal for the third period in a row. It was Spencer Yardy who found the back of the net on this occasion, as he gained the zone late and was picked out on the back post, before ripping his shot home.

The teams continued to trade chances as Jake Sylvester fired just wide of Hennessey’s goal, before Pollard saw a good effort parried away by Rider.

It was the away side who had the final say as Anderson finally found his way past Hennessey, shovelling in a rebound from close range in the closing moments.

FINAL SCORE: Peterborough Phantoms 3-6 Romford Raiders

Phantoms goals:

12:07 (PP 1-1 RR): #21 Adam Berg / #23 Brad Bowering / #83 Dom Gabaj (EHG)
13:26 (PP 2-1 RR): #19 Luke Ferrara / #14 Dillon Lawrence / #62 Janne Laakkonen (DPG)
15:26 (PP 3-1 RR): #92 Barni