Bees close gap on league leaders
BRACKNELL BEES closed the gap on the league leaders with a brace of victories over rivals Swindon Wildcats.
Bees went into the final fixtures of 2018 on the back of a mixed run of form but stepped up against one of their title rivals.
The series started with a trip along the M4 and Bracknell took an early lead through Aidan Doughty.
Sam Bullas pulled one back, but Shaun Thompson put the visitors 2-1 up heading into the first break.
New signing Tyler VanKleef then extended the advantage before Josh Smith opened up a 4-1 lead.
However, Wildcats roared back to level up at 4-4 with goals from Toms Rutkis (2) and Bullas again before Vanya Antonov found the net to give Bracknell a 5-4 win.
And that success was followed up at The Hive the following night.
After a goalless first period, Doug Sheppard’s men went 2-0 up in the second with VanKleef and Smith again on target.
Josh Martin made it 3-0 early in the third and while Sam Jones and Chris Jones reducing the arrears, a late Doughty goal into an empty net sealed a 4-2 success.
“That’s exactly what we needed, a well-time four-point weekend against a tough opponent,” said Sheppard.
“It was a great Christmas present for our fans.”
Results around the league in the past couple of weeks see Bracknell sitting fourth in the table but now just two points separate them and leaders Swindon.