BRACKNELL Bees ended a disappointing National Cup campaign with a 6-2 defeat at Telford last Thursday, writes Dave Wright.

The result came as no real surprise considering they were missing Carl and Shaun Thompson, James Galazzi, Callum Best, Luke Jackson and Tom Avery, with the gaps being filled by Dan Fay, Zack Milton, Jack Hayes and Ben Ealey-Newman.

Bees did manage to twice take the lead, but conceded three goals in less than four minutes in the second period.

They were also made to pay for a lack of discipline as three of the Telford goals came during power-plays in a game where they totted up 60 penalty minutes, with Josh Martin accountable for 40 of them.

It has to be said, however, that several of the penalties were for retaliation while the initial Telford infringement went unpunished.

Martin had earlier set up both his side’s goals, scored by the impressive Danny Ingoldsby in the fifth and 22nd minutes.

But he was in the sin-bin when Tigers opened their account through Jason Silverthorn and Richard Plant brought the scores level in the 28th minute.

Scott Mckenzie assisted in both goals and the Scot went one better in the 32nd minute by firing the hosts ahead for the first time in the game.

And 29 seconds later Silverthorn made it 4-2 with a fifth soon following, with Martin again in the sin-bin.

Going into the final period, Bees were still in contention, but hopes of a comeback quickly disappeared as they conceded a sixth goal just 45 seconds in when Jack Watkins beat Alex Mettam, who had replaced Danny Milton between the posts early in the period.

Martin received a match ban in the 57th minute, while Ingoldsby and Jan Bendik ended the game in the penalty box.

Youngster Fay was voted Bees’ man of the match, his second award since his debut on December 30.

This re-arranged cup tie completed the Group D fixtures with Swindon finishing well clear with 20 points from 12 games, followed by Telford on 15, Basingstoke with 11 and Bracknell with just six points.

Scott Spearing’s men can now concentrate on improving their position in the NIHL South One table, where they currently lie fourth behind Peterborough, Basingstoke and Swindon.

Having had last weekend off, Bees return to action with a trip to London Raiders on Saturday (5.30pm) followed by a home clash with Milton Keynes Thunder on Sunday (6pm).

Bracknell Hornets enjoyed a successful weekend, winning 10-5 away to Haringey Huskies before beating Peterborough Phantoms 5-3 at the Hive to make it 14 wins out of 15 games. They stay second in League Two South, two points behind leaders Oxford City Stars having played two fewer games.