MATT FOORD reached three milestones in his illustrious ice hockey career, but for the team he captains, Bracknell Bees, it was another disappointing weekend, writes Dave Wright.


The 34-year-old star made his 600th league appearance when Bees slumped to a 7-4 defeat at the hands of Swindon Wildcats at The Hive on Sunday and he marked it with a goal, his 100th for the club.


On Saturday Foord also netted in the 4-1 reverse at Peterborough and that took his career tally to 200 goals.


“It was a bit of an extraordinary weekend as far as reaching personal goals,” he said after the Swindon game.


“But the result was again disappointing as we worked so hard tonight, but got nothing out of the game. I thought we were unlucky, as we played so well as a team.


“It was a harsh scoreline.”


The defeat by Swindon – who scored three unanswered goals in the final period – was Bees’ 20th in their last 21 games and leaves them rooted at the foot of the EPIHL table.


They are three points behind Hull, the side immediately above them, and now 12 points adrift of third-from-bottom Manchester.


“We are not playing badly, but it is just unfortunate that they (opponents) are taking their chances and we are not.” added Foord.


“It is difficult because when you are working hard and just falling short it can be a bit demoralising, but we have just got to pick ourselves up and go again.”


Foord said he could not fault the Bees for effort and commitment in both their defeats last weekend.


“We played well and had chances.


“We are putting in the performances and if we just can get a couple of wins you don’t know what might happen. If we can get them, it will boost confidence.


“One thing I must mention are the fans. It is a pleasure to play for them and I feel really passionate about that. Their support is massively important to me and I give them my thanks.


“Obviously the results are not great at the moment, but the fans are turning up week in week out.


“They know we are working hard and trying to win every game.


“I just hope we can string some results together for them. We have got a few home games coming up and we always play well here.”


In fact, eight of their next 11 fixtures take place at The Hive, starting with another derby against Swindon this Sunday (6pm).


Last weekend’s encounter was a hotly-contested affair with a player from each side forced off with a blood injury.


The penalty-minute count was high, 24 for the Bees and 28 for the Wildcats.
But Foord believes any personal vendettas will not be carried over to this weekend’s match.


He told the News on Sunday: “What happened tonight was no way malicious. Most players on both sides are pretty honest and I don’t think there will be any trouble brewing over.”


Foord added: “We have a quick chance for revenge and it could be close again, But we have to take our chances and eliminate those small mistakes.


“If we do that then we can get a good result. If we can put a couple of wins together, we will have confidence behind us and that we can still do all right in the league.


Lewis Turner, who was concussed in the match at Peterborough, hopes to be fit for this weekend, when Bees visit Basingstoke on Saturday (6.30pm) before another home game with Swindon (6pm).