A ROARING 8-2 win over Billingham Stars helped Solihull Barons end the weekend on a high note after stuttering to an 8-6 loss at Sutton Sting.
The Barons currently sit third in the Moralee Division, but suffered a huge blow to their title hopes after Saturday’s defeat – their fifth of the campaign.
Daniel Brittle’s side conceded three early goals at the Lammas Leisure Centre, when Stanislav Lascek (0.27), Adrian Palak (3.36) and David Pyatt (13.31) struck for the hosts to put Solihull on the backfoot.
A Philip Mulcahy strike after 19 minutes and four seconds was just the tonic needed to rouse hopes of a comeback just before the end of the first period, prompting teammates Richard Slater (21.31) and Paul Stanley (30.08) to score two further unanswered goals to haul Solihull back on level terms.
The failure to build on their considerable momentum proved costly, as Tyler James Nixon struck at 36.49 to ensure Sutton remained in front going into the final 20.
Barons responded positively to George Crawshaw’s (41.30) effort, bringing themselves level once more through Tom Soar (43.18) and Andrew Whitehouse (46.48).
Pyatt’s second of the game (52.22) was quickly wiped out by a second for Soar (54.17), meaning a late brace from Palak (55.51 and 59.42) to complete his hat-trick settled the match.
In Sunday’s clash at Hobs Moat Road, Barons flew into a considerable lead with five unanswered goals from Matt Maurice (2.08), Callum Bowley (16.10) and Soar with a trio (25.49, 34.53 and 35.02).
While Michael Elder struck for Billingham before the middle period was out (37.54), three further strikes from Niklas Ottosson at 42.53 and 45.52, and Maurice at 55.21, compounded the visitors misery.
The Stars did shine in the final minutes, netting a second through Craig Thurston (57.56), although it did little to blemish Solihull’s 12th win of the campaign.
A home game against leaders Whitley Warriors on Saturday (5.30pm) now appears a must-win, followed by the reverse game at Billingham Stars on Sunday (6.30pm).
