Flyers grounded by Battling Barons

Fylde Flyers 5
Solihull Barons 8

By Gareth Thomson

The Sheldon Jewellery Centre Solihull Barons brought back more than a few sticks of rock and some Kiss me Quick hats from the weekend’s visit to the Fylde coast. A crucial two points were packed in the kit bags courtesy of a win over the National Ice Hockey leagues Fylde Flyers.

For the Barons this was their visit to the Clevelys ice rink and the very small ice pad caused some significant problems for the Solihull side trying to get used to the cramped surface, tight corners and unfamiliar passing and shooting angles.

For the Barons however the game could not have gotten off to a better start, Joe Henry netting after only 20 seconds when a shot from behind the net bounced back of the Fylde keepers pads and into the net. Experienced Fylde forward Bobby Caunce tied things up after six minutes and the two sides ended the first period all square.

The second period saw the Barons run up a string of minor penalties, with the resulting powerplays allowing Fylde to open up a 4-2 lead, Adz Andrews getting the Barons second in response. A strong performance from the Barons netminder Hayden Laverick kept the Barons in contention and by the half hour mark the Flyers were beginning to tire. As Solihull acclimatised to the small rink, goals by Henry, Jake Larkin and Phil Knight gave the Barons a single goal lead going into the final period.

The final twenty minutes saw the Barons assert their dominance with a hat-trick goal for Henry a second for Larkin and a single for Ian Hunt. A late goal from Fylde gave the final score of 8-5 to the Barons, a scoreline which did not reflect the challenge of the Fylde side.

Coach Darren Bellerby was satisfied with the win, Speaking after the game he commented “It was a tough game and Fylde were there to spoil the party. They were resilient for the first two periods but ran out of ideas. The small rink means it's not a place to play pretty hockey.” Bellerby was also upbeat on hearing results elsewhere in the league which saw league leaders and title rivals the Nottingham Lions lose out. “Nottingham losing to Hull was a big result for the Barons.”

This result saw the Barons temporarily move up to the second in the league behind the Lions, before Sundays Sheffield Senators win pushed the Barons back to third but with a game in hand as North 2 stakes a claim to be the most competitive league in British Hockey.

Saturday sees the Barons face a tough away trip to Hull before returning to Solihull Ice in a massive game against table toppers the Nottingham Lions on the 9th December.

Goals : Henry (3), Larkin (2), Andrews, Knight, Hunt
Assists : Henry (2), Adams, Knight, R Slater (2), Eley, Allen (3), Lee
Man of the Match : Jake Larkin

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