Result:              9^th December 2007. MK Storm 4 v Romford Hornets 6

(0-1, 3-2, 1-3)

Milton Keynes slipped to an agonising defeat against fellow title chasers Romford in a breathless and thrilling encounter.

MK looked rusty after 4 weeks without a match, and Romford opened the scoring with a scorching shot in the first attack (00:20). Romford continued to dominate, attacking and shooting at speed, and only Jake Scrivens massive glove in the MK nets kept the home side in contention. As the period continued, Romford conceded penalties and MK had the opportunity to crank up their own pressure, passing and skating with great confidence.

MK started the second period with great energy, and although Romford continued to threaten with their lightning offence, they looked increasingly vulnerable in defence. When Connor Goode broke up an attack, his quick pass set Josh Nicklin free, and he tore through the Romford defence to fire home fiercely from a tight angle (22:25). Romford roared back into action and with MK short-handed, Scriven was busy again in the MK nets. But when the visitors overcommitted to attack, Nicklin intercepted a pass, and then surged up the ice to score again (25:40) despite the close attention of the Romford defence. Romford equalized immediately on the powerplay (26:20) and then re-established their lead with an opportunist goal moments later (26:39). Both sides continued to play fast quick-passing hockey, and chances fell at both ends, but when MK were given a powerplay late in the period, they took full advantage with a smooth build up, and clever backhand finish in front of goal by Glen Trivett (29:24).

The final period unfolded at frantic pace, with both sides pressing for victory, and Romford went ahead (34:47) with a searing breakaway goal. But MK refused to buckle and when Trivett (37:51) forced an equalizer with a powerplay goal, the impetus seemed to have switched firmly to the home side. Unfortunately this was as close as they got, and although Nicklin went breathtaking close with another breakaway effort, Romford would not be denied, twice profiting from breakaways in the dying minutes (40:19 & 42:03).

With this defeat, MK drop to 4^th place in the league, but with games in hand they still have every opportunity to reach the National Championships. They will need to avenge this defeat at Romford in the New Year, and provided they continue to pass the puck and keep their concentration for the full three periods, they have every chance of doing so. First of all they must complete their 2007 campaign with a home clash against local rivals Peterborough in a fortnight.

SoG     Connor Goode  MoM Jake Scriven (N/M)

Josh Nicklin 2+0; Glen Trivett 2+0; Harry Bowers 0+1; Jacob Heron 0+1

Shots on Goal:  MK 25 Romford 30 (MK N/M Jake Scriven 30/6 80%)

Penalties: MK10 Romford 20