Solihull Barons 0 : 3 Billingham Stars
12th February 2012
Sheffield Spartans 8 : 0 Solihull Barons
11th February 2012
Lui Brindle had a good game, narrowly failing to convert on a break-away when the Barons were down by 2 men. Here he and Charlie Hammerton hustle the Star's goal mouth. There was to be no fairytale return for Neil Adams but as shown here he came close several times.
Barons forward Jonathan Stobart tussels for the puck in front of the Stars goal.
Barons Man of the Match, Hayden Laverick
Stars Man of the Match, James Moss
Man of the match awards sponsored by the Tamworth & Lichfield Sea Cadets.

 

Valiant Barons come up just short

By Matt Johnson, Barons Press Officer

An injury-hit Barons were unfortunate to suffer defeat at the hands of would-be champions Billingham Stars after an intrepid showing at Hobs Moat Road.

The depleted bench did well to hold off the might of the Stars and even had chances to snatch something, but a wonder strike and a five-on-three powerplay effort late on in the game were enough to see the away side to victory.

The Barons were missing no fewer than seven players for the clash. Top-scorer Richard Slater was absent after suffering a head injury at Blackburn Hawks the previous week and influential defenceman Mike Rodger was again missing after his head injury.

Andy Whitehouse (knee), Andy Ayres (flu), Phil Knight (shoulder), Dale White (shoulder) and Toni Scialdone (ban) were also forced out of action, leaving Darren Bellerby with a paper-thin squad to choose from.

Billingham took the lead after 15 minutes when James Moss superbly jinked past two Barons players before firing high past Hayden Laverick.

Despite the injury-list and the gulf in league position between the two sides, the Barons matched their opponents and came close on several occasions with Tom Parker and Rob Eley unfortunate not to draw them level in a scoreless second period.

It was just as evenly matched in the final 20 minutes, but Billingham’s clinical edge showed in the final ten minutes when they eventually managed to squeeze past man of the match Laverick from a five-on-three powerplay.

Simon Hehir sealed with victory for the away side with a rasping smash into the top corner with three minutes left to inflict a cruel defeat, but suffering three shut-outs in a row will be worrying news for Coach Bellerby.

The Barons now face fierce rivals Coventry ENL Blaze on Saturday Feb 18 in what is simply a must win game. A victory draws Solihull ever closer to the great escape from the drop at Coventry’s expense, whilst a defeat all but condemns them to relegation - A match simply not to be missed. Face-off is at 7:30pm, but there is NO coach travel available for the game.

The away double header is completed on Sunday Feb 19 when the Barons make the long and windy trip to Whitley Bay to take on the Warriors. Face-off 5pm, coach tickets reserved by contacting thesolihullbarons@gmail.com, * departure.

Goals: -
Assists: -
Man of the match: Hayden Laverick

The Barons meet the Coventry ENL Blaze on Saturday 18th February at the Coventry Skydome.

While the "A45 Derby" will always be tightly contested, further spice will be added with both teams battling to avoid relegation.

Make sure you make your way to Coventry and give the Barons a boost.

 

...the night before the Barons struggled badly against the Sheffield Spartans losing out 8-0.
Sam Hewitt had a busy night in the nets Perksy was as determined as ever but the Barons were always one step behind. A disconsolate Rob Perks, unhappy with the team effort, donated his Man of the Match beers to the travelling support.
 
Original photography courtesy of Keith & Jenny Davies