By Matt Johnson
Solihull Baron's Press Officer

Solihull Barons have tasted victory for the first time in the Division One North after a glittering performance against Nottingham Lions.

Goals from Erik Bakalar and a double from Lui Brindle inflicted the damage that secured maximum points to send the Hobs Moat Road crowd home in jovial fashion.

Darren Bellerby’s side asserted much of the pressure in a hungry and bullish encounter, as they did against Telford Titans last week, but this time they were able to reap the rewards by turning the performance into points.

In contrast to last week, the Barons raced out of the blocks and took early control of the game with Richard Slater forcing Lions netminder Richard Griffiths into action.

Both sides missed chances to open the scoring but when Barons were put on a five minute powerplay, after Nottingham’s Reece Glossop was handed a match penalty for abusive behaviour, they took full advantage. Waves of attacks were unsuccessful, but Lui Brindle made one count just a minute before period time.

Man of the Match Mike Rodger weaved his way through the Lions’ defence before laying off Andy Ayres whose perfectly weighted pass across the face of goal was stabbed home by Brindle to put the Barons ahead in a match for the first time this season.

Solihull’s pacey attackers were causing the Lions defence all sorts of problems, and when Brindle managed to shrug off his marker midway through the second to go through one-on-one, he made no mistake - The youngster cannoning his shot into the top corner to earn his second of the game and double the Barons advantage.

Nottingham pulled one back just four minutes later when Mark Corfield pounced as Solihull struggled to clear their lines from a powerplay, setting up a tense final period for the home side.

Lions were celebrating an equalising goal with just ten minutes remaining when a Corfield shot hit the net, but they were left incensed after it was ruled out because of a head injury sustained by Barons netminder Sam Hewitt in the build-up.

Solihull responded immediately and capitalised by going 3-1 ahead through an unstoppable hammer blow from Erik Bakalar after Ayres had drifted down the right flank and cut back for the Slovakian.

The crowd held their breath as Lions captain Chris Colegate netted to make it 3-2 with a minute remaining, but the final horn was greeted with rapturous applause as Barons held on to secure a welcomed first victory.

Goals: Brindle (2), Bakalar
Assists: Ayres (2), unconfirmed