MATT FOORD labelled Milan Kostourek “phenomenal” after the Bracknell Bees forward struck four times against his former employers on Sunday night, writes Lewis Rudd.

Matt Towalski, Vanya Antonov and Frantisek Bakrlik were also on target for the Bees, who ended a run of five straight defeats with an emphatic 7-2 victory against Milton Keynes Lightning at the Hive.

The win, along with a polished performance, also saw the hosts produce the perfect response following the 10-2 mauling suffered at Basingstoke Bison the night before, and captain Foord was quick to provide his team-mates with a ringing endorsement.

He said: “I thought Milan [Kostourek] was phenomenal. It was meant to be for him and he was absolutely incredible.

“I thought that whole line of Milan, Towalski and Vanya Antonov played really well. Another guy who I thought played well was Mettsy [Alex Mettam].

“In the first and second period he kept us in it and really did make some key saves which allowed us to go on and win – and win like we did.

“Everybody put a shift in. but obviously Milan’s was the standout.”

He added: “Things just clicked on Sunday. Smits [player-coach Lukas Smital] was talking after the game and said the minute we got to the rink things just felt different.

“The guys felt hungry and everyone jumped on the rope and fought and played with each other.

“It was a really difficult night in Basingstoke and obviously things did not go our way, but on Sunday I think we played really well.

“We have played well at home this year and we wanted to really get back on track and see if we can get some momentum and climb the table.

“If we work hard, work smart and play to our potential we can beat anyone in the league, but we have got to find a way of doing that night in, night out.”

A bright start from Bees was rewarded in the sixth minute when Kostourek and Antonov combined to set up fellow forward Towalski, who broke the deadlock when placing a crisp shot into the corner.

The lead was doubled on 15 minutes when Towalski and Lewis Turner neatly worked the puck through the middle, where Kostourek produced a composed finish.

The same player then brilliantly carved out an opportunity of his own making, but having skipped past a number of MK challenges, his deft chip dropped the wrong side of a post.

With Lightning’s Edward Knaggs sitting out hooking call, however, Antonov bundled the puck home for a 3-0 lead. Further assists went to David Savage and Kostourek.

Bracknell were in control of proceedings, but that was also in no small part down to netminder Alex Mettam who produced several smart stops to deny Michael Farn, Bobby Chamberlain and Leigh Jamieson.

Bracknell’s fourth goal came from Kostourek, assisted by Towalski, before Bakrlik swept home the fifth after Smital’s rasping drive had been saved.

Lightning, after replacing Skinns with Jordan Marr – enjoyed a decent spell that saw Adam Carr score on the powerplay.

But the visitors were undone by two more quickfire Bees goals in the third stanza, both from Kostourek, before Glenn netted a late second for MK.

Scott Spearing and Bendik had netted Bees’ goals in the previous night’s 10-2 defeat at Basingstoke Bison.

Bees host Swindon Wildcats at the Hive this Sunday (6pm).