Fury fall after fight

05 February 2010

AN early scuffle, which led to the ejection of goalie Dan Kruse and defenceman Rob Veares, left Romford Fury with a bitter taste in their English National League clash at Bristol.

Less than five minutes were on the clock when a home player collided with Kruse, who was shoved after confronting his assailant.

Veares came to his teammate's aid and was thrown out by the referee for his troubles. Kruse, meanwhile, was given a match penalty for excessive roughness which could lead to a lengthy ban.

Andrew Boot took over between the pipes, but Fury lost Simon Kears on a cross-checking penalty within seconds and Sam Hayman put the hosts ahead on the 5-on-3.

Boot made a good glove save before conceding twice more, but man of the match Michael Jacobs then picked out Dan Peters with a defence-splitting pass and he fired over the Bristol goalie's glove hand.

Peters hit the pipework soon after, as Fury were outshot 18-4 in the first session, but cut the gap to one in the 32nd minute with a shot which went under the goalie's pads.

Fury went close to levelling the score when Kears found Joe Berry, whose shot was saved. But Bristol then scored three goals in quick succession to take firm control.

Hayman finished off a 2-on-1 break with a shot between Boot's legs, then fired a shot on the turn home to make it 5-2.

Boot was beaten for a sixth time, having made two quick saves, before the break and wiht Fury outshot 30-9 in the third period saw Bristol score five more times, with Hayman finishing with six goals in total to his name.

Good work from Joe Berry led to a tap-in for Robin Turner in reply, but it was little consolaiton for the visitors in an 11-3 defeat.

Fury return to action on February 13 at London rivals Lee Valley Lions.

SCORERS

Pitbulls: Sam Hayman 6 Steve Osman 2+1 Tom Evans 1+2 Adrian Esposito* 1+2 Luke Merride 0+4 Marc Smith 0+2 Miley McNama 0+1 Jamie Chilcott 0+1 Mike Hargreaves 0+1 John Dibble 0+1.

Fury: Dan Peters 2 Robin Turner 1 Joe Berry 0+1 Michael Jacobs 0+1 Steve Hooker 0+1.