Darren Bellerby has praised his Barons after securing their first victory of 2012 in a 5-4 thriller against the Trafford Metros.

His side opened the calendar year with their heaviest defeat of the season to date, a 10-3 dubbing at the hands of Telford Titans, but after a shake up behind the scenes, they have looked a different proposition since then.

“After Telford we new we had to change things.” Said Darren.

“Luckily it paid off for us, but the first win has been a long time coming as well -being the fourth game in.

“When the fans get behind you and the players it has a big effect on you. Games like that are good games. 4-4 then eventually 5-4 are exciting. Fortunately we had a bit of puck luck and that always helps but a win is a win and we’ll take the two points.

“We ran them close last week too at 3-3 and we should have won that game really but it’s always nice to win and we’re still battling to stay in this league.

 “If we win our home game then we stand in with a chance. We’re not going down without a fight.”

It wasn’t all plain sailing though. Once again ill-discipline threatened to ruin the chance of victory after both Captain Adam Andrews and Assistant Captain Luke Thomas were handed match penalties, leaving their team mates to contend with two five minute powerplays – both of which the Metros netted in.

A further penalty was conceded in the final two minutes that threatened to hand Trafford a late equalizer - but luck shined kindly on Solihull on that occasion.

Darren added: “Sometimes you can prepare for these things and then sometimes the red mist comes down and they react. It wasn’t a great time but the two points are all that matter and we’ll deal with the captain and the assistant captain after everything has calmed down and the dust has settled.

“It was completely out of character for them both really. They are passionate about winning and I’m not going to say they’re not but it didn’t do us any favours and luckily we get the two points and it didn’t harm us.

“The last five were nerve-racking too, then we got a penalty against us as well and I thought ‘oh here we go’ then it just had a draw or a loss written all over it, so when we shut that penalty out I was pleased because then I knew we had sealed the win.”

Darren spoke to BBC Radio West Midlands WM Sport programme on Tuesday evening, discussing the Barons season thus far.

For the remainder of the week it is available here. Listen from 1:08.