MATCH REPORT | STUNNING PHANTOMS COMEBACK SEALS BOTH POINTS IN ROMFORD

After a less-than-ideal start to the game, an emphatic comeback saw your Wendy's Peterborough Phantoms take both much-needed points in Romford.

An early turnover in possession saw Jake Sylvester lift an effort over Lavigne at 00:49, with the Raiders man then extending his tally to two at 03:32 - triggering a Phantoms timeout.

Following a few minutes of calm, Sylvester completed a 6.5-minute hat trick at 07:21, lifting an effort over Lavigne's glove.

The Phantoms' woes continued, as Joe Gretton was sent to the box for a hook at 08:23.

The Raiders didn't waste an opportunity to further extend their lead, with a Laishram effort from the hashmarks tipped home by Ewan Hill at 10:16.

The visitors began to turn the tide at 11:13, with Louie Kynaston winning possession behind Cole Ceci's goal, before sneaking an effort glove-side for 4-1.

Austin Osborn was the first man to the box for the home side, sitting a tripping penalty at 14:17.

Dillon Lawrence saw a couple of slapshots bravely blocked by Brandon Ayliffe, with a third saved by Ceci.

The Raiders were barely back to full strength before the Phantoms further reduced the deficit. Louie Kynaston found Jasper Foster out wide, who rifled home for 4-2 at 16:19.

The second intermission began with a couple of penalties for the Phantoms. A tripping penalty for Barni Sari was well killed at 21:13, before Dillon Lawrence sat for high sticks at 25:24.

Adam Laishram rifled home the Raiders' fifth of the game not long into this powerplay - following a pinpoint pass from Tjay Anderson at 25:36.

Coincidental holding the stick and tripping calls saw both Luke Ferrara and Austin Osborn head to the box at 25:36, before a Ewan Hill hooking call put the Phantoms on the powerplay at 26:49.

A trademark powerplay rocket from Dillon Lawrence saw the Phantoms reduce the deficit to two at 28:16, following some strong hold-up play from Zaine McKenzie.

With the Raiders looking increasingly nervous and the wind in the Phantoms' sails, Callum Burnett and Jasper Foster dropped the gloves.

The Phantoms man left the ice for repairs - later returning in a full-face shield - with Nojus Venskutonis sitting his five-minute fighting penalty at 28:38.

It was an unlikely hero next on the scoresheet for the Phantoms, with Joe Gretton opening his 2025-26 account from the blue line at 35:34, following some effective screening from Cam Hough.

A Brandon Ayliffe interference penalty at 39:24 meant the Phantoms would begin the final frame on the powerplay, with just one goal separating the sides.

Although the Raiders successfully killed Ayliffe's penalty, some determined play from Robson saw him win possession in close and fire home the equaliser unassisted at 41:50.

With momentum now firmly in the Phantoms' favour, the high-scoring top line began to find its feet, with Laakkonen and Hough breaking quickly, looking to find an onrushing Ferrara.

Dawson Osborn had chased the Phantoms captain down before inadvertently pushing him into the goal, along with the puck, at 43:56. The officials eventually agreed that no kicking motion had occurred, confirming the Phantoms' go-ahead goal, a little more than half an hour after going 4-0 down.

Some determined defending held the lead for the visitors - including an impressive penalty kill after Billy Thorpe was called for holding at 48:57.

Ashley Tait's side continued to put bodies on the line - with big blocks happening all over the ice.

Ewan Hill was called for hooking at 57:11 - with a Cam Hough shorthanded breakaway the closest opportunity for either side.