SOME of you reading this column will have attended our semi-final cup game against Slough on Wednesday evening, so you’ll either feel as elated as you did last Saturday or as disappointed as you did last Sunday.

I hope it’s the former, as we battle to bring some silverware back to Basingstoke this season.

Saturday’s win against Manchester was satisfying in many ways. Nicky Watt played his first game for the Bison and I was really pleased with what he brought to the team.

I decided to change my offensive lines around, so for the first time we had the all Joe line of Miller, Rand and Greener. Miller’s whole-hearted all-round performance brought him a deserved man-of-the-match award.

Although we have an unbeaten record against Manchester, I still regard them as an outstanding team. We seem to bring the best out in each other and the crowd responded magnificently as we secured the win. I’m sure it was an evening that will stay long in the memory of all who took part, on and off the ice.

Our local derby match against Bracknell was very frustrating. We could have gone in at the end of the first period with a clear lead, but instead found ourselves trailing.

There have been many occasions this season when the home crowd have thrilled to us scoring breakaway goals. This time we were on the receiving end.

Man-of-the-match Joe Rand will always give of his best, on whatever line I play him, and he gave us some hope with his goal, but the game slipped away from us.

This weekend I hope we can extend our run of home wins and turn around our run of away losses as we meet Peterborough.

More nail-biting, edge of the seat action. See you Saturday.

Doug