NEW player-coach Scott Spearing is confident Bracknell Bees can look forward to a successful season, writes Dave Wright.

His much-changed squad lost 4-2 in their M4 Challenge match at Swindon on Saturday, but bounced back in fine style to defeat the Wildcats 5-3 in the return at The Hive.

“I could hardly have asked for a better start,” said Spearing after Sunday’s match.

“Swindon are definitely one of the favourites to dominate in this league, but I thought we dominated them.

“There’s no reason why we can’t be among the best in the league this season.”

Spearing looked relieved the new campaign is under way, as it has been a hectic time since he was appointed coach.

“It was interesting during the summer, but enjoyable,” he admitted. “It has been a lot different from just being a player, working out and getting ready for the season.

“This has been a new challenge for me.

“I was talking to players and working out who would gel well together.

“I have received a lot of support, especially from Stuart (Robinson), Carol (Miller), John and Yvonne Slater and Rob Lamey, who have all worked really hard.

“We also have a great off-ice team here at the rink and we all think we have got a very good team together. I am 100 per cent certain we will have a successful season.”

Admittedly, it was only a ‘friendly’ double header with Swindon, but the Bees fans will be very encouraged from what they saw on Sunday.

Speaking to the News after the game, Spearing said: “We had not been on the ice together as a team before, so it was kind of just getting used to each other.

“I had Rob Lamey helping me out and we were working out what we did with the lines as we’ve got a lot of new guys and a lot of fresh young ones.

“We came with a specific game plan, spoke to all the guys and so we knew exactly what we were doing.

“I thought it worked out really well for us and and I was well pleased with our win.”

Spearing added: “Our imports Frankie (Bakrlik) and Jan (Bendik) didn’t arrive until Thursday, so we had only one training session together and it’s a case of the guys getting used to each other. It will take us a bit of time to gel, and it is only going to get better.”

Bees play their first ever National League One South fixture this Saturday (6.30pm) when they visit Milton Keynes Thunder. Their first home game is on Sunday, September 13 when Basingstoke Bison are the visitors.