Hornets v Pitbulls Match Report

NIHL(2) Wilkinson

Bracknell Hornets vs Bristol Pitbulls on Saturday 27th October 2018 at The Hive.

It was 4th Vs 5th in the Hornets Halloween home tie as they took on the rejuvenated Bristol Pitbulls at the Hive, which also saw the Hornets select U18 Drone Casey Wilson for his senior debut.

Luke Jackson (left) and Josh Ealey-Newman (right) standing with U18 Drone Casey Wilson (middle)

The game started at a very quick pace with both teams going close early on meaning NMs Sanderson & Miller were called into action from the off. Chances fell to Fisher, Fojtik and Stead for the home team with Osman, Dolphin and Thornhill showing the Pitbulls would be no pushover. Both teams took harshly called minors but it was former Hornet Jack Hayes’ suspicious tripping penalty that proved to be decisive when J.Ealey-Newman & Hughes combined well before giving Carl Graham the chance to finish the move for his 2nd quality goal in as many weeks on the power play. Shortly after came the *greatest moment ever (*this is my personal/bias opinion only, as he’s my son) with the debutant 16yo getting his first senior shift. Although clearly nervous Wilson showed the energy and enthusiasm needed to give the others the breather to go again and to which they didn’t disappoint when back on. With the period coming to a close Fisher held of the Pitbulls defence rushing the net and somehow managed to drag the puck back on everyone and guide it from a tight angle before crashing into the oncoming Miller. The officials discussed whether the goal was good and soon decided it was with the puck crossing the line before any interference.

The 2 goal lead was certainly needed as the Pitbulls continued to push, Sanderson was the busier of the NMs pulling off a double save whilst short handed after Graham was called for a late hit. At the half way point one of the biggest talking points entertained all with a 10/10 on the handbag-o meter . After Wilson put his body on the line to block Dolphins wrist shot and ultimately clearing the puck it was left to Adrian Smith to remind the debutant he was playing seniors when a big hit on the 16yo met him as he got to his feet (it must be said that this was a big, clean, fair hit and no penalty was called with the youngster getting straight up) the talking point came when Hutchinson and M.Hargreaves continued to dispute it and after a gentleman’s nod cleared centre ice and went punch for punch, controlled well by the officials and saw fist bumps and handshakes in the penalty box afterwards, as it should do. The buzzer neared and it was the Pitbulls who ensured the tie would remain interesting after a nice pass from Thornhill found Olly Stone who finished well ending the first 40 minutes of hockey at a tight 2-1 scoreline.

The third again didn’t disappoint with the Pitbulls captain Osman showing his quality and experience only to be denied by Sanderson. It remained end to end but the Hornets showed improvements on recent weeks and kept their composure and discipline when on the power play. After Galea sat a tripping penalty leaving Fisher, Bicknell and Avery the chance to combine well leaving the latter to extend the home sides lead to 3-1.

A late hooking call on Raffaelli saw Osman sit out the rest of the game when the officials deemed his reaction as abuse. As time ran out Miller was pulled for the extra skater but Stead found the puck at his feet and laid it of for Fojtik to score in the empty net with just 3 seconds remaining and the Hornets taking a well earned 4-1 victory.