BRACKNELL Bees adopted the attitude that offence was the best way to defend against Manchester Phoenix in Blackpool on Sunday – but it failed to pay dividends, writes Dave Wright.

They certainly played their part in a highly-entertaining affair, but lost 8-5 despite managing a remarkable 53 attempts on the home goal.

Bees had triumphed 7-2 at the same venue a month ago and clearly thought they possessed sufficient firepower to secure a repeat win against a side who had previously not won at their seaside base this season.

But, with player-coach Lukas Smith missing again due to a lower-back injury, they were not able to make the most of their chances and were caught out by Manchester’s speed on the counter-attack.

The main difference between the sides occupying the bottom two places in the table was the quality finishing of Edgars Bebris, with the 25-year-old Latvian forward scoring four of his side’s goals, while having a hand in two others.

He set up James Neil for the first goal at 13:11 before opening his own account at 15:47 short-handed.

Within a minute Carl Thompson pulled one back for the Bees, only to see Bebris make it 3-1 at 17:12 with a shot that went in off a Bracknell defenceman.

Bees netminder Matt Smital saved well from Robin Kovar before Thompson was again in the right place to bury a rebound at 23:34 for his second goal of the night.

The action continued all over the ice, but a strong challenge on home player Marek Indra on the boards saw the plexi glass shatter, and it took nearly an hour to repair the damage.

The long break upset Bracknell’s momentum, for when the game restarted they struggled to cope with Manchester’s pressure.

Bebris slipped the puck under Smital for his hat-trick at 26:57 and Kovar slotted home at 29:05 to make it 5-2.

Then on Phoenix’s only powerplay of the night, Indra blasted in from the blue line at 33:42 to extend his side’s lead.

However, Bees were continuing to create chances and their third goal of the night came from Alex Barker at 38:28.

The comeback was on for the visitors in the third period as goals from Luke Basic (44:45) and Josh Smith (49:35) brought their deficit down to 6-5.

By this time, Alex Mettam had taken over from Smital junior between the posts. He pulled off an excellent save from Bebris, but could do nothing to keep out a Roman Malinik blast at 51:28.

Mettam was withdrawn just before the end and this enabled Bebris to score an empty-net goal to round off a game that was nearly as entertaining as the nearby Blackpool Lights.

Bebris was named man of match for the winners, with Barker earning the Bees award. In addition to his goal, he had two assists, while there was one and three for Basic.

On Saturday, the vote had gone to Scott Spearing following the 5-1 home reverse by league leaders Telford Tigers.

“He had a fantastic game,” remarked skipper Matt Foord.

“Mettz was brilliant again and Tommo (Carl Thompson) was also great.”

Foord, in a new role of defenceman, was the only Bees player to find the Telford net, firing home into the top right-hand corner with the clocking showing 30:08.

It brought them right back into the game after conceding goals to Jon Weaver at 3:21 and Matt Davies at 16:24.

Bees were holding their own against a Tigers side who have not lost in regular time this season, but they allowed Jason Silverthorn to sneak in a third goal on 38:44 and that was a blow they were not able to fully recover from.

Corey McEwen made it 4-1 in the third minute of the final period with Doug Clarkson completing the scoring on 57:45.

Before the game, there was a minute’s silence for young Bees fan Alex Elkington, who had passed away unexpectedly last week.

Bracknell are home to Peterborough Phantoms this Sunday (6pm) and, as it is Hallowe’en, supporters are invited to wear fancy dress.

Bees will be away to Sheffield Steeldogs on Thursday, November 3, in a fixture that has been brought forward from December 7.