Milton Keynes Storm consolidated their position at the top of the table with a comprehensive defeat of a Bracknell side, which promised much, but wilted ultimately under relentless MK pressure.

The early shifts of the match were full of intent, and hits flew in from both sides. As expected, MK dominated possession, and set up a series of half chances, but with the visitors committed in defence and dangerous on the counter, this would be no pushover for the league leaders. Bracknell underlined their threat with the opening goal (07:50), but MK simply upped their work rate and were soon creating chances at the other end. Luke Spriggs showed his customary tenacity, driving the net from the corner, and finding Tom Mboya (09:50), whose spectacular spin and shot gave the Bracknell netminder no chance. MK kept up the pressure, with hits unsettling the Bracknell lines, and when Nathan Carmichael drove out of his own defence the visitors were slow to close him down. A quick pass to Jamie Miller (16:15) from Joe Day was finished by the former with a slapshot powerful enough to blow the candles off his mum’s birthday cake! Moments later MK stretched their lead when Robert Pullar and Josh Nicklin teamed up, leaving Jacob Heron (16:35) to score with a thunderous shot. Game over you might think, but Bracknell would be no pushovers, and with MK dithering uncharacteristically in defence, the visitors drew level (19:13 & 19:44) in a dramatic final minute before the break.

MK clearly had no intention of compounding their late errors in the first period, and attacked relentlessly, with their powerplays constantly threatening the Bracknell goal. Quick skating and passing from Connor Goode and Josh Nicklin stretched the Bracknell defence, and a looping shot from Nidal Philips (25:00) threaded through a packed goalmouth and into the back of the net. MK never looked back from this point, and controlled the puck and the match. The visitors continued to concede penalties, and after a lengthy powerplay move, Spriggs (33:22) on the far post powered home a neat lateral pass from Heron. Bracknell finished the period with a series of attacks but Jake Scriven’s mighty presence in the MK nets foiled any hopes they had of a second comeback.

The final period started badly for MK with the influential Ross Green condemned to a lengthy spell in the penalty box. Recognising their opportunity, Bracknell threw their all at the MK defence, but the hosts held firm, and with Scriven in sparkling form, MK weathered the storm intact. With Bracknell fully committed to attack, MK broke out of defence swiftly, and when Goode’s shots on goal were blocked, a clever pass from Heron was squeezed home inside the post by Nicklin (46:48). This sixth goal knocked the stuffing out of the visitors, and MK remained in control to the end of the match. More sterling work by Spriggs set up a backhand finish by Joe Day (55:27), and MK completed the match at a canter.

This was an exceptionally good victory for MK against a team with genuine title hopes. Seven separate goal scorers speak volumes for their strength in depth. MK finished their 2009 fixtures unbeaten, and comfortably on top of the league. 2010 could be a thrilling year for this committed team…

MoM Jacob Heron
Joe Day 1+2; Jacob Heron 1+2; Josh Nicklin 1+2; Luke Spriggs 1+2; Tommy Mboya 1+0; Jamie Miller 1+0; Nidal Philips 1+0; Connor Goode 0+2; Nathan Carmichael 0+1; Robert Pullar 0+1
MK Shots: 43 Chelmsford 18
(MK N/M Scriven 18/3 83.33%)
Penalties: MK 24 Chelmsford 34