Bracknell

The Bracknell Bees go into the biggest weekend of the season knowing that any more slip-ups could crush their hopes of a top two finish.

All was looking good for Bracknell after back-to-back wins over Milton Keynes a fortnight ago but recent defeats against Romford and Hull have set the nerves jangling.

After Saturday's trip to Sheffield, the Bees entertain league leaders Guildford Flames at The Hive on Sunday (6pm f/o).

The Flames lost their first game of the season against Swindon Wildcats last weekend and Bees coach Mike Ellis has warned his players against a possible backlash.

He said: "It's a massive game for us, especially after the two defeats.

"Guildford are a great side but I know that if we play the way we are capable of then we can get two points off them."

Ellis has spent a lot of time this week talking to his players in a bid to get them over the little blip in form that has hit them since the Milton Keynes victories.

The only game they have won since was against bottom placed Isle of Wight last Sunday, but even then they struggled to a 5-3 victory.

Ellis said: "I've been talking to boys singularly and as a team, telling them if we want to achieve our goals then we must stay focussed.

"I feel we bring our game down to the level of our opponents and for me that is not good enough.

"The guys need to realise that Sunday is a time to perform and to put on a show because if we beat Guildford other sides in the league will take notice."

An important factor in Sunday's match will be the part the crowd at The Hive will play and Ellis is calling on all Bracknell Bees fans to sing their hearts out.

He said: "The fans can make a real difference, it really makes the players go that bit extra when you've got a lot of people yelling for you.

"So we hope to see a lot of Bees fans down there cheering us on and hopefully we will give them something to cheer about."

The Bracknell Bees go into the weekend's fixtures with a full squad to choose from, with netminder Steve Briere returning after being rested against the Isle of Wight.

ic Berkshire ~ Bracknell ~ Nov 24 2005