Motor Nation Solihull Barons : 6
Nottingham Lions : 2

By Gareth Thomson

The Motor Nation Solihull Barons continued their pre-season preparations with a comfortable victory over last season's league champions, the Nottingham Lions in a challenge fixture in aid of the "Cure Leukaemia for Kids" appeal.

The Barons, with last weekend's victory over the Oxford City Stars under their belt, started much the sharper, continually pressuring the Lions net over the first period. The Lions, slightly under-strength and rusty in what was their first game of the season, were however the first to score. Against the run of play, Nottingham's assistant captain Ben Wood, rattled the puck in of the post in the eighth minute to give the visitors the lead.

The Barons continued to pressure and with five minutes of the first left, Josh Bruce worked a neat pass from the back of the Lions goal to Joe Henry who made no mistakes in netting Solihull's first goal of the evening.

The Barons, via Erik Bakalar and Jake Larkin, wasted no time in the second period in giving Solihull a comfortable lead. Two minutes in and Bakalar won a face-off in the Lions end, giving Larkin the chance to slot the puck beyond Alan Levers in the Nottingham net. On the restart the same pairing again converted from the face-off to give Solihull their second goal in less than 10 seconds.

The remainder of the period was comfortable for the Barons, Mike Rodger and Sam Hammerton netting either side of the half hour mark.

The final period was more evenly matched, the Lions beginning to find their angles while the Barons continued to push in a high tempo tussle. A goal each way in the final five minutes rounded things off for the night, Ben Wood scoring for the Lions while Barons captain Rob Eley, poked the puck under the Lions net-minder for Solihull's sixth goal.

A confident display for the Barons and one which lays down a marker against conference rivals the Lions. The two sides will meet again, this time with points at stake, on the 15th September at Nottingham.

Before then the Barons will conclude their pre-season when the Moralee Conference Telford Titans visit Hobs Moat rink on Sunday for the Steve Perks Memorial Trophy. Face-off 6pm.

Barons goals : Henry, Larkin (2), Rodger, Sam Hammerton, Eley

Barons assists : Bruce, Bakalar, Selwood, Rich Slater, Whitehouse

Barons man of the match : Rhys McWilliams

Next Home Game The Barons will face Moralee Conference side the Terford Titans this Sunday, 1st September. This will conclude the Barons pre-season and the game will be played for the Steve Perks Memorial Trophy. Face-off : 6pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)