INVICTA Dynamos travelled to Sheffield knowing they were only one goal down on aggregate, but were unable to bring the National Trophy home. Dynamos went down 4-2 on the night, to lose 8-5 on aggregate.

Boosted by almost 200 fans, Dynamos started well and created some good chances, but failed to get past Paul Jones in the Sheffield goal. Neither side managed to take power-play chances and the period ended with the scores at 0-0.

Just 30 seconds into the second period, Sheffield made the Dynamos task that little bit harder. A lack of communication between Phil Chard and Ian Rowlands let in Sheffield’s John Ross, who beat Rowlands in the Dynamos goal with a fine wrist shot.

Things got worse for the Southern League champions as Scimitars danger man Les Millie scored to make it 2-0, and 5-3 overall.

Coincidental penalties on Sheffield’s Jon Woolhouse and Invicta’s Matt Drake were called at 35:20, and just 25 seconds later, Sheffield ended any chances of a Mos comeback, with a third goal from Ritchie Oliver.

The travelling fans were finally given something to cheer about at 37:24, when Adam Copland’s shot was turned in by Jamie Smith after a goalmouth scramble.

The third period started with the Mos knowing that they had to score three goals, and keep Sheffield out.

Smith pulled the Dynamos back to within one goal with a power-play goal at 54:32, but the Dynamos were dealt a fatal blow at 56:35, when Grant Baxter was given 5+game for roughing for an off-the-puck incident. That meant that the Mos would now be a man down for the rest of the game, and Sheffield wrapped up proceedings with a power-play goal at 56:57.

At 57:32, Sheffield’s Abel became the second player to be ejected by referee Litchfield, when he was also given 5+game for roughing. Invicta’s Kevin Parrish received a 10-minute misconduct penalty for abuse of the official, also at 57:32.

The final minutes of the period were played out with the Dynamos fans on their feet singing, but it was the Scimitars who lifted the ENHL Play-off Trophy with an 8-5 aggregate win.

Man of the match went to Sheffield’s Shaun Ashton, and player-coach Phil Chard received man of the match for the Mos, in his last game for the Kent side.