12th September 06Bombers line up - Gibbon, McCabe, Windridge, Ward, Wallace, Pritchard P, Box, Hughes (n/m),, Tindale, , Outhwaite (n/m), Price, McKenna, Parrish, Pritchard S, Thomas, Fletcher, Hehir, Mountrey

Billingham Bombers lost to a last minute goal when took they took the short journey up the A19 to face local rivals the Whitley Warriors in a Northern League fixture. A match punctuated by strict penalty enforcement saw Whitley called for 68 minutes and Billingham 46 minutes, in what by recent local derby battles was a well natured encounter.

Billingham were bolstered by the return of Simon Hehir, who donned his Bombers top and skates, the day after his wedding. David Thomas added defensive cover, but Billingham were still not able to ice new signing Andy Thornton.

 

Within the first three minutes the Bombers were penalised and Warriors enjoyed a 5 on 3 power play, Bombers absorbed a barrage of shots from the Warriors, with new keeper Chris Outhwaite proving his worth. When Bombers returned to full strength the roles were reversed with the defending Warriors on the receiving end of the free flowing penalty decisions. Bombers captain Paul Windridge opened the scoring as he fired home in a goal mouth scramble, assisted by David Thomas. Billingham maintained the pressure in front of the Warriors goal, a shot from Stephen Wallace rebounded to Andy Fletcher who pushed the puck under Warriors keeper, assisted by Ricky Box.

Warriors Ryan Sample was called for a 2 + 10, cross check from behind, that sent Bombers Ricky Box sprawling head first onto the boards. Billingham again took control on the resulting power play, as the Tynsider`s failed to clear their zone, some good cycling of the puck found Paul Windridge just inside the blue line, who blasted the Bombers third unanswered goal.

 

The first closed with the Bombers in command of a 3 -0 scoreline.

 

The second session saw an in form Warriors goalie Stephen Hoult pull of some top drawer saves, to deny the Bombers advance.The Tynesider`s opened their scoring at the games half way mark as Ryan Sample netted.

Bombers found themselves short handed as Phil Pritchard collected a 2 minute interference call, Warriors capitalised on their power play and pegged the Bombers lead to a single marker, before pulling level through Simon Leach. Bombers got the go ahead goal as Scott Ward lifted the puck over a sprawled Whitley net minder, assisted by Ricky Ward.

As the clock counted down to the end of the second session, Whitley's captain Simon Leach tied the game with his second power play goal.

 

The final period, opened all square at 4 goals each with both sides even handed. With a delayed penalty called against an already short handed Warriors, the Bombers maintained possession in the Whitley zone, Bombers keeper Chris Outhwaite spotted the advantage, skated to the Bombers bench, allowing Andy Fletcher to jump into the action, and give Billingham a 6 on 3 advantage, the Warriors crumbled and Scott Ward hit his second of the night assisted by David Thomas. Warriors new signing Karl Culley tied the game three minutes later on the power play following a 2 minute holding call against Bombers James McCabe. With only three minutes left to play Bomber called a time out. Terry Ward instructed his side to keep it tight at the back, but with 32 seconds left to play and overtime looming Warriors Andy Carter hit the goal winning game

 

Bombers points – Ward 2 + 0, Windridge 2 + 0, Fletcher 1 + 0, Wallace 0 + 3, Box 0 + 2 , Thomas 0 + 2. Hehir 0 + 1.

 

Warriors points – Leach 2 + 2, Cully 1 + 2, Carter 1 + 2, Tindale 1 + 0, Sample 1 + 0, Defty 0 + 2, Dunn 0 + 1.

 

4th September 06 Bombers Team - Gibbon, McCabe, Windridge, Ward, Wallace, Pritchard, Box, Hughes, Tindale, Harrison, Outhwaite, Price, McKenna, Parrish.

Billingham Bombers took full points in their opening game of the season. The Teessider's ran out 6 – 5 winners, in a tight game at Bradford . The Yorkshire side took the lead early after only 37 seconds, then added a power play goal a minute later.

Billingham`s swift reply came through Stephen Wallace, assisted by Windridge. Bomber`s Scott Ward tied the score, at the halfway point of the first session, assisted by Wallace and Windridge.

The period closed all square, as Bradford 's Sean Day collected a 2 + 10 penalty for interference and misconduct. The Bombers opened the second session with a Paul Windridge power play goal 51 seconds into the period. Bradford 's retaliation was speedy, as a short handed goal from Matt Viney pulled the home side level under a minute later. The Yorkshire side moved ahead as Matt Viney his second of the night, before Stephen Wallace squared the score, at 4 goals each assisted by Windridge.

Bradford moved ahead through Ari Nurmey, before Wallace sealed his hat-trick to tie the game, at the half way point of the second session, assisted by Windridge and Ward. An on form Stephen Wallace, hit his fourth, as the second period wound down, with assists to Ward and Windridge. The third period played out scoreless, as both sides pushed for the advantage. Bombers were still not at full strength due to registration delays but Bradford has certainly bounced back a stronger faster side than their previous English National league outings. Bombers manager Allen Flavell commented “We gave Bradford a dream start they were 2 – 0 up in the first 2 minutes, then we stayed within a goal of each other through the game. It's early days yet, but two points on the road is just the start we needed”.

Bombers points
Wallace 4 + 2, Windridge, 1 + 5, Ward 1 + 2.

 

14th August 06 Billingham Bombers pre-season training got under way this week. The Teesside squad has been boosted by the re-signing of Stephen Wallace, and the return to North East Ice Hockey of Andy Thornton. Both Stephen and Andy are no strangers to the Billingham side having come through the junior development program, and represented Great Britain . Bombers Manager Allen Flavell commented "It's been a big boost to secure Stephen and Andy's signatures, they will add depth and experience as we build on the success of last season, we had fantastic team spirit within the Bombers camp that is proven by the return of the majority of last season's squad"

Bombers will be looking to Chris Outhwaite stepping into the pipes as both Richard Griffiths and James Flavell move to College. Richard could well be back to the Forum in a Nottingham Lions shirt. James Flavell however joins Billingham ex pat Michael Farn in a move to the USA .

Farn and Flavell will be part of Terry Christiens coaching program at Detroit .
Paul Windridge, Andy Fletcher, Scott Ward, Phil Pritchard, Stephen Pritchard, Scott Harrison, Jimmy Mountrey, Gareth Hughes, Jamie Parrish, James McCabe, Stuart Gibbon, Anthony Price, Mike McKenna are all confirmed as signed.

Imminent signings include Simon Hehir, Jamie Pattison, David Thomas.

 

Billingham have taken the decision to drop out of the English Cup 06-07competition. The Northern League takes on a different format as the Scottish sides will be playing twice home and away. It is anticipated that Billingham and Whitley will be part of the Northern League competition but play once home and away for double points.

Meanwhile, changes have been made to the structure of the Scottish National League. The original plan to begin the new season with a two-division structure has been ditched and instead all 10 clubs will compete in one league.

The league will split into two conferences, the top five moving to conference A, once each team has played the other once home and away. It is anticipated that the top Scottish clubs, Fife and Dundee will be adding imports to their line ups.

 

 

 

30th April 06 Billingham Bombers could not overcome the firepower of southern champions the Invicta Dynamos in the English National Hockey League National final. The Bombers lost out 14 – 5 on aggregate over the two legs. At Billingham on Saturday the Kent based Invicta Dynamos moved ahead in the third minute, and added their second by the close of the first session. Invicta opened the second session with their third marker coming after 41 seconds, The Kent side made it 4 by the halfway point. A consolation goal came the way of the Bombers after McKenna and Ward combined to set up Simon Hehir to blast home. Invicta added another two to close the first leg Billingham 1 – Invicta 6.

With a mountain to climb the Bombers travelled to Gillingham for the second leg. Billingham travelled without Stephen Wallace, Simon Hehir, Anthony Price and Gareth Hughes. The short benched Bombers found themselves 3 – 0 down early in the second session. Billingham's determination paid off as Antoine Mengin squared from the wing to Andy Fletcher in the centre ice, who lifted the puck into the top corner. Bombers Captain Paul Windridge added the Teessider's second assisted by Fletcher and Thomas.

Invicta were caught on the line change as Bombers defender Phil Pritchard broke away one on one with the Dynamos keeper, Pritchard kept his cool and buried the puck, to tie the game, much to the delight of the travelling Billingham fans and bench.

A huge hit on Billingham youngster Antoine Mengin saw him break the rink plexi glass, Mengin got up and played on. Early in the third period Invicta added a brace to give them a two goal cushion. Bombers Coach Terry Ward called a time out and warned his tiring side to try to keep it tight. As play resumed Andy Fletcher hit his second of the night and cut Invicta`s lead to one goal. The last ten minutes saw the Kent side put another three past an exhausted Billingham team that had given their all. Bombers Coach Terry ward praised his team for a fantastic display away from home.

Bombers were presented with the English National Hockey League North trophy on Saturday night.

17th April 06 Billingham Bombers crossed the Pennines , as the only unbeaten team in the English National League North playoffs. However Blackburn Hawks brought the Bombers to earth with a 3-2 defeat. The Hawks edged the game by a single goal, in a close, exciting battle.

Billingham twice took the initiative, only to see Blackburn bounce back. David Thomas opened the Bombers account, in the 14 th minute with a long range slap-shot from the point. Blackburn drew level, four minutes later, against a short handed Bombers. Simon Hehir took the Teessider's ahead, two minutes into the second session, as he combined with Windridge and Fletcher to fire into the roof of the net. Blackburn caught the Bombers pushed high, as the Teessider's looked to take advantage of a power play, Aaron Davies broke away for Blackburn and took the puck around the Billingham keeper to slot Blackburn 's equaliser. The second session closed all square at 2 goals each.

Early in the third Michael Brunton took the Lancastrians ahead assisted by Haig and Slater. Billingham threw their all at Blackburn , out-shooting the Hawks by 5 to 1, but could not find a way past Dave Clancy in the Hawks pipes. Into the last minute and Bombers Coach Terry Ward pulled his keeper adding extra fire-power, in an attempt to take a point back to Teesside, it was not to be and the Hawks hung on to secure a narrow win.

Bombers have two big home play off games, next weekend, as they host local rivals, Whitley Warriors on Saturday night (Face Off 18:30) then host Blackburn Hawks at the Billingham Ice Arena on Sunday night (Face Off 18:30).

 

11th April 06 A double win weekend for Billingham Bombers, as their English National league play off campaign was boosted, by two victory's against Sheffield Spartans. Bombers trip to Ice Sheffield saw the Teessider`s run out 5 -4 winners in an exciting, close game. Sheffield took the lead through a power play goal early in the first. Billingham responded, to draw level through a Scott Ward strike. Bombers Andy Fletcher moved the Teessider`s ahead only thirty six seconds into the second session. Sheffield added a brace to move ahead at the halfway mark. Bombers Scott Ward hit his second to tie the game before Andy Fletcher moved Billingham ahead after three minutes of the third period. Under a minute later the Spartans bounced back and drew level. Bombers Andy Fletcher secured the game and his hat trick with seven minutes to play as he scored on the power play, assisted by Hehir and Windridge.

 

The next night saw the Bombers host the Spartans at Billingham Forum Ice Arena. Sheffield took the lead in the first three minutes, until, markers from Bombers David Thomas and Stephen Wallace closed the first with the Bombers ahead by one goal. The Spartans drew level through Will Barron, but Bombers bounced back, to restore their cushion, as Hehir combined with Windridge putting the Bombers ahead by one at the end of the second. Fast accurate passing, resulted in a three minute, three goal blitz, from the Bombers, Stephen Wallace sealed his hat-trick and Andy Fletcher fired home a one timer. Sheffield cut the Bombers lead through a long range snipe from Simon Offord. The last two minutes saw Stephen Wallace hit his fourth goal of the game and seal an emphatic 8 – 3 victory for the Bombers.

 

4th April 06 Scottish National Champions the Fife Flyers proved too hot to handle for Billingham Bombers who slumped to an 8 – 2 defeat, in the Northern League semi final. Flyers out shot the Bombers 48 to 14. Some good stops from Bombers goalie James Flavell helped to limit the damage but the on form Flyers took a 3 – 0 lead by the first break. At the half way mark Fife added their fourth. Billingham's Andy Fletcher opened the Bombers account late in the second period, as he lifted the puck high into the right hand corner of the goal assisted by Paul Windridge and David Thomas. Flyers added their fifth goal, early in the third. Scottish top scorer John Haig made it six for the flyers as he broke away 1 on 1 with the Bombers keeper. Flyers added two more before the Bombers netted a consolation marker two minutes from time as James McCabe set up Mike McKenna who forced the puck home.

 

Bombers manager Allen Flavell commented “We expected a tough game when we were drawn against Fife . They are a top class hockey club, their fitness, passing and finishing proved too strong “. The other semi final played out between Dundee and Paisley saw a dominant Dundee Stars beat Paisley Pirates 6 – 1 to earn a place in the final.

The Northern League final proved to be end to end hockey, Fife took the lead through goals from Steven Gunn and John Haig, Dundee came to life with a goal from Ali Haddanou and a brace from John Dolan took Dundee ahead. A power play goal from Steven King brought the sides level then with under two minutes left to play Fifes Captain John Haig hit the winner to seal a victory for the Flyers.

 

 

25th March 06 -Billingham Bombers v Solway Sharks. - S Pritchard, McCabe, Windridge, Ward, Wallace, Box, Pattison, Thomas, Harrison , Hehir, Flavell, Price, Hughes, McKenna, Parrish, Mountrey.
Scorers- Fletcher 2 +2, Windridge 2 + 1, Hehir 1 + 4, Parrish 1 + 1, Thomas 0 + 1, Price 0 + 1, McKenna 0 + 1.

Billingham Bombers took a step closer to a Northern League Final slot, with a 6 – 4 victory over Scots side the Solway Sharks. Bombers took the lead after three minutes as Andy Fletcher fired home a Paul Windridge pass. Billingham added a second on the power play scored by Paul Windridge, assisted by Fletcher and Hehir.

 

The second session opened and Bombers went three goals clear as Simon Hehir was released by Jamie Parrish, Hehir skated hard at the Solway goal and beat the Solway keeper stick side. Solway opened their account as Tim McKay and Struan Tonnar broke away 2 on 1, and McKay slotted the puck home.

Bombers response came four minutes later, Andy Fletcher took up position on the Solway post unmarked, a David Thomas pass found Fletcher who poked the puck home to net Billingham's fourth. Shortly past the half way mark Billingham`s Jamie Parrish netted his first Bombers goal as he blasted a shot through a busy Solway goal mouth.

 

A Solway comeback looked on the cards as the Scots hit a purple patch that saw McKay blast a slap shot from a tight angle on the right wing, followed 17 seconds later by a Simon Robertson goal. As the game moved into the last ten minutes the Scots sensed they could fight their way back into contention, a breakaway saw Tim McKay seal his hat-trick and bring his team to within one goal of the Bombers.

Solway found themselves short handed as Matt Seddon sat out a 2 minute interference call. The Bombers settled into the power play and Paul Windridge combined with Andy Fletcher and Simon Hehir to net the Bombers sixth of the night.

Billingham now await the result of the Whitley Bay v Blackburn game that will decide the fourth qualifying slot for next weeks Northern League final tournament at Fife.

 

 

20th March 06 -Billingham Bombers v Paisley Pirates. - S Pritchard, McCabe, Windridge, Ward, Wallace, P Pritchard Box, Pattison, Thomas, Harrison , Hehir, Flavell, Price, Hughes, McKenna, Parrish.

Scorers- Wallace 2 + 0, Windridge 0 + 1,Box 0 + 1, Thomas 0 + 1, Fletcher 0 +1.

Billingham Bombers ran out 2-1 winners after they were forced into overtime by a short benched Paisley Pirates.
Bombers needed to take full points from both remaining Anglo Scots Northern League games, and made hard work of taking the points from Glasgow based Paisley Pirates.

Paisleys short bench was reduced further when Alan Maitland was thrown out of the game on a 5 + Game penalty for accidental high sticks. The first period, failed to spark for either team, and ended scoreless.

Bombers Scott Ward took an early shower six minutes into the second session for his reaction to referee Staniforth`s tripping call against him. Billingham broke the deadlock on the half way mark as Stephen Wallace fired the puck home between the Paisley keeper's pads assisted by Paul Windridge and Andy Fletcher. With Paisleys resistance breached the anticipated Bombers onslaught failed to materialise. Paisley showed character and gritty determination, to stay with the Bombers and with less than two minutes to play, the Pirates intercepted a haphazard Bombers clearance, squared the puck and Gary Morris released a scorching shot that tied the game.
The Northern league games have to be decisive, and a 10 minute golden goal, overtime period loomed. Three minutes into overtime some, good fast passing from the Bombers released Stephen Wallace into the Paisley zone, Wallace battled his way through the Glaswegian defenders before releasing a wrist shot that beat leading Scottish keeper Gary Russell and sealed an overtime win for the Bombers.

Bombers manager Allen Flavell commented, “It was a close call tonight, the overtime period brought the game to life. Paisley has a very well respected youth development program. You could see tonight they were strong, skilfull players, who never gave up. The Bombers responded to Terry and moved up a gear after the pirates pulled level”.

 

Bombers final Anglo Scots fixture is next Saturday, as they host Solway Sharks, a win for the Bombers will still leave them reliant on the results of other teams to qualify for the Fife based tournament weekend.

 

 

5th March 06 -Bombers @ Nottingham- Gibbon, Ward, Wallace,Griffiths, Pattison, Thomas, , Harrison, Hehir, Fletcher, Flavell, Price, Hughes, McKenna, Mengin, Mountrey.

Hehir 1 + 0, Wallace 1 + 0, Price 0 + 1, Harrison 0 + 1, Hoghes 0 + 1.

Billingham Bombers opening play off game saw them lose out 3 -2 at the hands of Nottingham |Lions on Saturday night. The Lions took a two goal advantage, by the close of the first session. Nottingham moved three goals ahead before Gareth Hughes powered up the left wing, and dropped the puck, to Anthony Price who set Simon Hehir up to fire home. Early in the third Stephen Wallace fired a long range effort to beat Allan Lever in the Nottingham goal. Bombers pushed hard for an equaliser but could not find a way past Nottingham 's defence and the Lions held on to take their first play off points.

Bombers @ Whitley -Gibbon, S Pritchard, McCabe, Ward, Wallace, P Pritchard Pattison, Thomas, Hehir, Fletcher, Flavell, Parrish.

 

Due to an U19s fixture clash the Bombers were reliant on a short bench to secure an English Cup semi final slot, and the Teessider's did it in style with a 7 -1 destruction of a poorly disciplined Whitley Warriors side. Warriors took the lead in the second minute through Bryan Dunn. Bombers equalised within a minute through Andy Fletcher. Warrior's hero Bryan Dunn turned villain as he boarded Billingham's Phil Pritchard face first into the boards, Dunn took an early shower and Pritchard retired with a broken nose and a swollen eye-brow. Bombers moved ahead in the last minute of the first session as Andy Fletcher netted his second of the night through a busy crease. Stephen Wallace then extended the Bombers lead. Billingham hit their fourth on the half way mark, as Simon Hehir pushed the puck home unassisted. A mere 30 seconds later, quick reactions from Bombers Stephen Wallace fire home his second. As the third opened the Bombers gained a 5 on 3 power play, and some good puck cycling resulted in Fletcher sealing his hat-trick.

An incident that saw Whitley's Chris Taylor brought to the ice as he broke through one on one resulted in Taylor looking for retribution against Bombers defender David Thomas, Taylor dropped his gloves to instigate a fight, when Thomas responded the Whitley player turned turtle. Both Taylor and Thomas picked up 2 + 2 + Game misconduct and both players headed for an early shower. Referee Glenn Meier awarded a penalty shot to Warriors for the original infringement. Youngster Sam Zajac skated forward as the noise levels from the travelling Billingham fans reached a crescendo, Zajac released a shot that did not test Flavell in the Bombers goal. As the game closed Whitley lost the services of Andy Carter and Rob Wilson, who both left the game for their second 10 minute misconduct calls.

Billingham sealed an emphatic 7 -1 win in the last three minutes as Fletcher netted his fourth goal of the night, in a game that had seen four Whitley players and a Bombers player thrown out on misconduct calls. Bombers will now face either Invicta or Cardiff in a home and away semi final of the English Cup.

 

26th February 06 - Sheffield Spartans v Billingham Bombers. - Gibbon, S Pritchard, McCabe, Windridge, Ward, Wallace, P Pritchard Box, Griffiths , Pattison, Harrison , Flavell, Price, Hughes, McKenna, Mengin, Parrish.

Scorers – Pritchard 1 + 0, Price 1+0, Wallace 1 + 0, Ward 0 + 1.

Billingham Bombers picked up a single point in a 3 – 3 draw at Ice Sheffield.

In a game that could have secured the Bombers an English Cup semi final place, the Bombers went ahead early in the first, through a long range shot from Phil Pritchard that slipped between the pads of Dimitri Zimazdra in the Sheffield goal.
Sheffield struck back through Mikey Holland who tied the game two minutes later. Spartans Ollie Barron broke the deadlock as he fired his side ahead in the fourteenth minute.
Billingham found themselves on the back foot as they played out the final four minutes of the first period short handed. With James Parrish sitting out a two minute roughing call followed by a trip to the sin bin for Gareth Hughes for a high sticking call.
A deadlocked middle period where the Bombers out shot the Spartans by 12 shots to 5 saw Scott Ward and Sheffield's Lee Haywood exchange blows, Ward collected a 2 minute roughing call and Haywood 2 + 2 also for roughing.
At the halfway mark another roughing incident saw Bombers Stephen Wallace punched whilst he was down, his protests to referee Cranstone were waived off, and Wallace given a 10 minute miss-conduct call for his reaction.

Bombers levelled early in the third session, as Anthony Price broke away one on one and kept a cool head to net Bombers second of the night. Sheffield again took the initiative and moved ahead through Arran Shrawson. With six minutes left to play Scott Ward assisted Stephen Wallace as he forced home the equaliser through a crowded crease. A share of the points at Sheffield means the Bombers have taken their cup campaign to the wire and now need a win or draw next weekend on the road to local rivals Whitley Warriors.

 

19th February 06 -Billingham Bomber ran out 7 – 3 winners on Sunday night in a winner takes all clash, against Blackburn Hawks. The decisive game for the English National league north was played out in front of a capacity crowd at Billingham Forum on Sunday night.

Bombers took the lead in the third minute as Hehir and Windridge combined on the power play. Blackburn levelled under a minute later through Barnett. Bombers found themselves short handed as David Thomas was called for a charging penalty in a physical first session. Blackburn got the go ahead goal as Chris Gracie fired over the shoulder of Flavell in the Bombers goal.

 

Billingham's Scott Ward levelled the game at the half way point as he pounced on a rebound shot. Bombers moved ahead courtesy of Simon Hehir. Bombers fourth came on the power play as Windridge passed to Wallace who hit the Bombers fifth. Wallace added Billingham's sixth 25 seconds later. Blackburn pegged the Bombers back with only 10 seconds left of the second session as Hawks Michael Brunton capitalised on a weak Bombers clearance to hit the Lancashire sides third.

 

After a very fast and physical opening session both sides were showing signs of fatigue as the third got under way.

Billingham pulled down the shutters for the third, and defended well.

Blackburn player / coach Bobby Haig pulled his keeper to gain an outfield skater advantage, however Bombers Stephen Wallace seized possession and fired a shot the length of the ice into the empty net, to seal both his hat trick and a decisive 7 – 3 win to bring silverware back to Billingham. Tonight victory also confirmed Bombers Captain Paul Windridge as the English National League north top points scorer, and James Flavell as the top English National League north net minder.

 

12th February 06 - Billingham Bombers v Sheffield Spartans. - Gibbon, S Pritchard, McCabe, Windridge, Ward, Wallace, P Pritchard Box, Griffiths, Pattison, Thomas, , Harrison, Hehir, Fletcher, Flavell, Price, Hughes, McKenna, Mengin, Parrish, Mountrey.

Scorers – Wallace 3 + 0, Hehir 1 + 2, Windridge 1 +2, Fletcher 1 + 1, Price 0 + 1, Pattison 0 + 1, Thomas 0 + 1, Ward 0 + 1.

A strong 21 man Bombers bench dominated its way to a 6 – 1 English Cup victory over Sheffield Spartans at Billingham Forum on Sunday night.

Sheffield opened the scoring after only 37 seconds as Oli Barron netted unassisted on a breakaway. Bombers pulled level four minutes later through Simon Hehir who applied a finish to a Jamie Pattison shot.

Billingham got the go ahead goal from a Stephen Wallace wrap-around goal assisted by David Thomas. A goal from Wallace gave the Bombers a cushion a minute later as a shot through a busy slot beat the Sheffield keeper. Bombers Simon Hehir collected a two minute interference penalty for a crunching check on the Sheffield keeper who had moved behind his goal.

Bombers Captain Paul Windridge fired the Bombers fourth assisted by Simon Hehir.
With five minutes of the first session left to play Spartans keeper Tommy Brookes made way for Dimitri Zimordra to take over in goal, as Brooks retired from the game with a back injury.
At the halfway mark Andy Fletcher added Billingham's fifth goal as he combined with Windridge and Hehir. Billingham goalie James Flavell was on fine form denying the Spartans as he turned away 17 shots for 0 in the second session. The Spartans pulled down the shutters in the third, Bombers Stephen Wallace hit his sides sixth of the night and sealed yet another hat trick with a long range blast from just over the blue line assisted by Price and Hehir to seal a victory that lifts Billingham into second place in its cup group.

Bombers Coach Terry Ward commented after the game “We wore them down with four line hockey tonight, it was good to have a full bench”

 

Billingham's biggest game of the season takes place next Sunday as English National league leaders the Bombers take on second place Blackburn Hawks in a game that will decide this years, English National League winners.
Bombers manager Allen Flavell added “ We are expecting quite a show-down between the two sides. Blackburn denied Billingham a play off place last season in a very heated game, and here we are this year with first and second placed clubs fighting it out for the league title”
A win for Blackburn would give them the title, a win or a draw would see the modern era Bombers collect their first piece of silverware.

5th February 06 - Billingham Bombers moved ahead at the top of the English National League this weekend with a 7 – 0 drumming of Kingston Jets at Hull Ice Arena on Saturday night.
Bombers took the lead after 10 minutes from a Stephen Wallace strike. Wallace added the Bombers second three minutes later with Windridge giving the Bombers their third at the close of the first session.

Billingham's Anthony Price added the Bombers fourth. A short handed marker netted by Paul Windridge at the half way point, with Box taking the Bombers six goals ahead by the end of the second. Wallace added his second goal of the night in the third session to give Billingham two vital league points.

A reversal of venues on Sunday night saw the Bombers host Kingston at Billingham Forum in an English Cup game.

Billingham moved to second place in their cup group with a 6 -4 reversal over the Jets. Billingham welcomed back Phil Prichard from injury. Kingston opened their account two minutes into the game. Bombers French youngster Antoine Mengin reacted well to convert a rebound and draw the Bombers level assisted by Jamie Pattison. A minute later an unassisted goal from Stuart Gibbon gave the Bombers the lead, with Wallace and Windridge combining to add the Bombers third.

The never say die youngsters of the Kingston Jets cut the Bombers lead as they netted on the power play, before a goal mouth scramble saw Scott Ward bang the puck in from close range. With the Bombers short handed, Phil Pritchard released Simon Hehir one on one with the Kingston Keeper, Hehir kept his nerve to add Bombers fifth. Stephen Wallace added the Teessider's sixth goal assisted by Thomas and Gibbon. Un-resolved issues from the previous nights encounter boiled over as Bombers Ricky Box and Jets Andy Dunn went toe to toe and both collected 2 + 2 penalties for roughing. Kingston added two in the final five minutes to reduce the Bombers haul.

 

Jamie Pattison collected Bombers man of the match.

A decisive weekend that confirmed the four English National League teams for this years play offs, Billingham, Blackburn, Nottingham and Whitley.

 

 

29th January 06 - Billingham Bombers stunned Dundee Stars as they fought back from a 3 – 0 deficit to steal the game with an overtime winner. Early in the second session Dundee were three goals ahead. Bombers breakthrough came as Mike McKenna fired home, assisted by Ward. Anthony Price added Billingham's second as a David Thomas pass released him one on one with the Dundee keeper, Price kept his cool and finished well. With only four minutes to play Billingham's French youngster Antoine Mengin levelled assisted by Parrish. Overtime commenced and after only 28 seconds Bombers Captain Paul Windridge netted the match winning golden goal assisted by Hehir. Antoine Mengin collected Bombers man of the match.

Bombers returned to Teesside at 3:30 in the morning with a league game later that day against Sheffield Spartans. Bombers looked to avenge a 4-3 reversal at the hands of the Spartans earlier this month.

Sheffield opened the scoring with a power play goal early in the first. Bombers tied it as Stuart Gibbon put a shot through the Sheffield keeper's legs. Sheffield moved ahead early in the opening minutes of the second. Then Bombers pulled it level through Stephen Wallace. Bombers Scott Ward fired a short handed goal from the slot to move the Teessider's ahead. In a game that was proving to be a physical affair Billingham's Scott Ward provided the hit of the match as he put a Sheffield player over the boards and out of play. A minute into the third session Windridge passed from behind the Sheffield goal to find Wallace who lifted the puck from an almost impossible angle to net Billingham's fourth. Sheffield cut the Bombers cushion as Dan Taylor pounced on a dropped catch and poked it home. A storming run from Wallace saw him seal his fourth hat trick in four games as he blasted a slap shot from the blue line that scorched into the back of the goal. David Thomas hit Billingham's sixth as he found the roof of the Spartans goal. With Bombers in full flow Simon Hehir timed to perfection a pass to Paul Windridge as he skated at the Sheffield net and buried the puck home to seal a convincing 7-4 win for the Bombers. Bombers manager Allen Flavell commented “The result at Dundee was fantastic, we proved that you should never write the Bombers off, it was a superb comeback, a late goal, then a winner in overtime”. Billingham have now secured a play off slot and remain top of the English National League.

 

 

23rd January 06 - Fife Game, Bombers Line up – Gibbon, Windridge, Ward, Pritchard, Box, Griffiths, Harrison, Flavell, Price, Hughes, McKenna, Mengin, Parrish.

Scorers –Pritchard 1 +0.

Whitley Game, Bombers Line up - Gibbon, Windridge, Ward, Wallace, Box, Pattison, Thomas, Griffiths, Harrison, Hehir, Flavell, Price, Hughes, McKenna, Mengin, Parrish.

Scorers - Wallace 3 + 0, Ward 1 + 0 Windridge, Pattison, Hehir 0 +1.

A gutsy performance from a short benched Billingham Bombers ended in a 6 – 1 loss on the road to Northern League leaders the Fife Flyers on Saturday night.

Billingham took the lead after only 17 seconds as Phil Pritchard's first shot of the game found its target. Fife levelled within a minute, then, added a second to take a one goal advantage into the break, before extending their lead at the games half way mark. Fife added a brace in the third before tempers boiled over and five simultaneous fights broke out. With Billingham youngsters McKenna and Box both collecting 2 + 2 roughing calls, order was restored and play resumed, the dominant Scots side sealed their victory with a sixth goal four minutes from time.

The battling Bombers returned to Teesside after their 390 mile road trip at 3.30 am on Sunday morning. On Sunday night the Bombers kept their English National League hopes burning with a 4 – 0 shut out against local rivals Whitley Warriors. Billingham were without Phil Pritchard who was receiving treatment for a facial injury from the previous night's action.

Half way through the first, Bombers Stephen Wallace fired home a power play goal, assisted by Paul Windridge. Bombers doubled their tally as Scot Ward tipped in on the power play assisted by Pattison and Hehir. Early in the third, Stephen Wallace fired a looping shot that dipped behind the Whitley keeper to give Billingham their third power play goal. Bombers fourth goal completed Wallace's third hat-trick in three games and sealed a victory for Bombers that put them back on top of the English National League.

Bombers goalie Richard Griffiths collected man of the match for the Bombers.

Billingham manager Allen Flavell commented after the game “The lads that travelled to Fife put up a show of sheer determination, they gave 100% and then returned to the ice the next day shows the level of commitment they have. This result against the Warriors, keeps us in the running at the top of the league”.

15th January 06 -Bombers Team List - Gibbon, Windridge, Ward, Box, Griffiths (n/m), Pattison, Thomas, Harrison , Hehir, Price, Hughes, Mckenna, Wallace, Parrish, Flavell (n\m)

Billingham Bombers league campaign was dealt a blow with a 4 – 3 loss at Sheffield . Sheffield Spartans gained a two goal lead, At the halfway mark of the game, Billingham's Stephen Wallace reduced Sheffield 's lead as he fired home through a goal mouth scramble. Wallace tied the game five minutes later as he lifted a shot into the roof of the Sheffield goal. Early in the third Sheffield's Oliver Barron scored on a breakaway, and Sheffield added their fourth goal. Into the last eight minutes, Billingham's Stephen Wallace sealed his second hat-trick in two games and cut the Spartans lead to one goal. Billingham pushed hard looking to tie the game, however they found themselves on the wrong side of referee Blane Evans as he gave Paul Windridge a 2 minute slashing call and Stephen Wallace a 2 minute hooking call reducing the Bombers to three against five.

Billingham defended and played the penalty off without loss, however Bombers return to full strength was short lived as Evans called an elbowing penalty against Wallace. The game closed Sheffield 4, Billingham 3. Bombers manager Allen Flavell commented “ We needed to win all our remaining league games, this result, means we now rely on other teams beating or holding Blackburn to a draw”

Bombers are at home next Sunday (Face Off 6:30) in league action when they face local rivals Whitley Warriors.

9th January 06 -A double win weekend saw Billingham Bombers collect four vital English Cup points. On Saturday night the Teessider's's took control at Kingston to run out 6 - 3 victors.

Paul Windridge opened the scoring for the Bombers in the seventh minute, Kingston pulled one back to tie the first period. Bombers extended their lead in the second with goals from Ricky Box and David Thomas.

In the third session Simon Hehir struck early for the Bombers, half way through the third Kingston reduced the Teessider's's advantage, Billingham turned up the heat and Box and Thomas both added their second to close the game Kingston 3, Billingham 6.

 

On Sunday night the Bombers dominated local northeast rivals the Whitley Warriors with an inspired 9 - 3 win.

Bombers iced new signing Stephen Wallace and welcomed back Jamie Pattison from injury. From the off Billingham coach Terry Ward used the luxury of having three lines.

Wallace opened the scoring unassisted for the Bombers, after eleven minutes, with a well-placed long-range blast from the point.

A well-crafted drop pass from Wallace set up Bombers second as youngster Scott Harrison released a scorching slap shot from the point.

A swift Whitley response saw them hit two goals under a minute to bring the game level. Simon Hehir forced the puck home to move Billingham ahead a minute later. With less than two minutes of the first left to play marksman Wallace hit his second with another well placed long-range shot.

The first closed with Billingham ahead four goals to two.

Early in the second the Tynesider's's collected a two minute tripping penalty, the resulting power play was converted as Wallace lifted the puck into the roof of the Whitley net from close range to give the Bombers a three goal cushion and seal his debut hat trick.

Warriors cut the Bombers lead half way through the second session with a Bryan Dunn strike.

Billingham youngster Mike McKenna kept his cool as he took the puck behind the Whitley goal and back out releasing a shot over the shoulder of the Whitley keeper. Three further Billingham goals in the final ten minutes from Paul Windridge, Ricky Box, and Andy Fletcher sealed the 9 - 3 victory for an on form Bombers.

Bombers Ricky Box collected Man of the match for Billingham and Bryan Dunn for the Warriors.

 

29 December 05 - Billingham Bombers coach Terry Ward praised his team for Wednesday night's performance against current Northern and Scottish National League leaders, the Fife FlyersThe Flyers chased the Bombers for most of the game, and then in an exciting climax to the game gained a 5 – 3 victory. Ward added” We came out strong and took the game to them, they did not expect us to go two goals ahead, in the end they got the advantage through being able to play three lines, we ran out of steam”

Bombers took the lead on the three minute mark when Captain Paul Windridge lifted a shot over the Fife keeper. Andy Fletcher hit the Bombers second a minute later as he capitalised on a rebound off the Fife goalie.

Fife turned up the heat and laid siege to the Bombers zone, with Billingham keeper James Flavell on fine form as he denied the Scots under prolonged pressure.

Fife cut the Bombers lead through Steve Gunn early in the second period.

Bombers answer came from David Thomas who blasted a long range shot from the point to restore Billingham's cushion.

Five minutes into the third Willie Nicholson hit the Flyers second, a minute later Jamie Wilson tied the game.

With the Bombers largest crowd of the season sat on the edges of their seats, Fife again turned up the heat and with less than four minutes left to play Flyers Jamie Wilson hit his second of the night to edge the Scots ahead.

With two minutes left to play Fife were penalised with a 2 min high sticking call against John Haig. Bombers coach Terry Ward pulled his keeper to gain a six on four advantage, looking to pull level. From the face off Fife took possession and found the space to shoot the length of the ice into the empty Billingham goal.
Bombers manager Allen Flavell commented “We played with heart, it took Fife the full three periods. These guys are preparing a bid to go elite league next season, it was a good test for us”.

23 December 05 - Billingham Bombers, gave their supporters some extra Christmas cheer ,as they confirmed they have signed Ex Newcastle Vipers and Great Britain forward, Stephen Wallace. Twenty one year old Stephen who is no stranger to ice hockey at Billingham joined the FBNL Newcastle Vipers in the 02/03 season as a product of the Billingham Ice Hockey Club, junior development program.Stephen was both a gold medal winner and top goal scorer in the 2004 World Junior Championships.

Bombers manager Allen Flavell commented " Its great news for us to welcome Stephen back, its unlikely that we will complete his registration in time for the game against Fife on the 28th but we look forward to him playing competitive hockey in the new year"

Bombers coach Terry Ward added "Stephen will need time to ease back into his game, he would be a welcome addittion to any team, but being a Billingham lad, and having come through the Bombers junior set up, it will be great to see him back at Billingham".

11th December 05 - An injury depleted Billingham Bombers, could only muster 12 skaters for Sundays Northern League match at Blackburn . Bombers stayed with the Hawks in the first session, some fine saves in the Billingham net, from James Flavell kept the Teessider's hopes alive. Blackburn came out strong in the middle session, and a decisive seven minutes, saw the Hawks hit three, to move four goals up against a tiring Billingham bench. The third saw Billingham's Ricky Box and Blackburn's Peter Tapp drop their gloves and square up, whilst both players were roughing the referee let the play run on resulting in Blackburn hitting their fifth. Tapp and Box both received 2 + 2 + 10 for roughing and dropping their gloves. The traveling Billingham fans were given something to cheer, as a good passing move found Simon Hehir in front of the Blackburn goal. Hehirs consolation marker denied the Lancashire side a shutout with only 45 seconds left to play. Bombers manager Allan Flavell commented after the game "I am not taking it away from the lads who traveled tonight, they gave 100%, we were forced to ice 2 lines, and the Hawks had the luxury of 3 line hockey. He added, "We have never carried so many injuries, the youngsters that are standing in are not daunted by the task. It would be good to have some of the lads training this week and back for next week's big game against Dundee Stars. We would normally grab some breathing space, and a chance to rest and recover at Christmas, but we do not have our usual Christmas break this year and have another huge game against Fife Flyers between Christmas and New Year”.

4th December 05 -Mixed fortunes for Billingham Bombers, in the new Northern League. A road trip on Saturday night, to Dumfries saw an injury depleted Bombers 2 goals behind, the Solway Sharks after the first session.

Bombers comeback was initiated, through the combination of Fletcher and Windridge, as Andy Fletcher netted the Teessider`s first.

Solway's response, was a brace of goals within a minute. The Windridge, Fletcher combination answered back, four minutes later to give Andy Fletcher his hat-trick.

In an exciting climax, to the second session Solway hit their fifth.

Early in the third, Andy Fletcher hit his fourth of the game, assisted by Windridge. Solway responded with two further goals, to gain a three goal advantage. A battling performance from Billingham, saw Paul Windridge cut Solway's lead to two goals, then with only 2 seconds left Billingham`s Andy Fletcher scored his fifth goal of the game, again assisted by Windridge, and the game closed Solway 7 – Billingham 6.

On Sunday night, the Bombers hosted Blackburn Hawks. Billingham got off the mark after only 13 seconds, when Paul Windridge intercepted a Blackburn pass, and put the puck through to Stuart Gibbon, who took it round the Blackburn keeper.

Bombers doubled their haul, as David Thomas blasted a slap shot from the point, that blazed into the Blackburn Goal. Bombers youngster Anthony Price made it three, as he fired home from the slot, assisted by Windridge. Blackburn veteran Bobby Haig opened the Lancashire sides scoring as he blasted from the blue line.

Bombers response came at the half way mark, through a well crafted Windridge pass, that picked out Box, who lifted a one timer into the roof of the Blackburn net. Blackburn responded, with a brace to cut the Bombers lead, to one goal at the close of the second.

The third opened with Price and Hehir combining to give Price his second of the night.

The on fire combination, of Windridge and Fletcher gave Billingham a cushion, as Windridge hit Billingham`s sixth, With seven minutes to play, Bombers put the game beyond Blackburn, when Ricky Box hit his second of the night assisted by Windridge, and Hehir. With only two minutes to play Billingham`s favourite referee Glen Meier stunned players on both sides and the crowd when he awarded a shot onto the side of the Billingham net as a Blackburn goal, protests were waived off and a consolation goal given to Blackburn. Final Score, Billingham 7 Blackburn 4.


27th November 2005 - Billingham Bombers attention turned to Cup action at the Forum Ice Arena on Sunday night, as they faced Flintshire Freeze in their first English Cup outing.

Billingham were without, Jamie Pattison, Simon Hehir and Stephen Pritchard.

The first and second sessions went end to end, with both sides having their fair share of chances in front of goal. Superb saves from both net minders, Flintshire`s Ricky Ashton and Billingham's Richard Griffiths kept the game at deadlock.

Early in the third session Flintshire`s Richard Hughes found himself, on the wrong side, of a two minute roughing call, after he ploughed Billingham's Andy Fletcher face first onto the Welsh sides crossbar. Fletcher made Flintshire pay the price in the resulting power play as he pushed the puck into the Flintshire goal assisted by Ricky Box and Paul Windridge to give the Teessider's the lead.

Three minutes later Flintshire again found themselves on the wrong side of referee Michael Evans as the Bombers maintained possession on a delayed penalty. Bombers defender Phil Pritchard fired a shot and Stuart Gibbon deflected the puck into the net, to take the Bombers two goals clear.

At the half way, mark in the third session Flintshire opened their scoring as Nick Crawley fired home. The goal lifted the Welsh side and they equalized through Alan Hough a minute later. The game closed Billingham 2 Flintshire 2. Bombers youngster Scott Harrison took the Bombers man of the match award with Flintshire`s going to goalie Ricky Ashton

 

21st November 2005 - Mixed fortunes on the road for Billingham Bombers, Saturday night the Bombers traveled north of the border to face Paisley Pirates.

Bombers opened the scoring in the sixth minute as Simon Hehir intercepted a Paisley cross-ice pass and fired home unassisted. Paisley earned their equalizer two minutes from the end of the first session. Bombers moved ahead in the second session when Scott Ward blasted home from a Simon Hehir face off. The Clydesider`s equalized six minutes into the third, then moved ahead two minutes later. The game was put beyond the Bombers as Paisley hit their fourth goal, five minutes from time.

The game closed Paisley 4, Billingham 2.

On Sunday night the Bombers tightened their grip on the top of the English National league as they brought local rivals the Whitley Warriors six game unbeaten run to an end.

Whitley stunned the Bombers when they scored after only 18 seconds. The Bombers equalized early in the second as Jamie Pattison released a scorching slap shot into the top corner of the Whitley goal, three minutes later Billingham's Stuart Gibbon forced the puck over the line in a goalmouth scramble. A minute into the third session Billingham extended their lead as Anthony Price fired home a rebound. Whitley cut the Bombers lead three minutes later, however Bombers reply was swift as Simon Hehir netted Billingham's fourth goal assisted by new signing Jamie Parrish. Whitley turned up the heat as they cut the Bombers lead to one goal. The last minute of the game saw Whitley pull their goalie to gain an outfield player, the Bombers defended well and denied the Warriors an equalizer.

The game closed Whitley Warrios 3 Billingham Bombers 4.

Bombers Manager Allan Flavell commented after the game “ These points were vital for both sides, we saw an exciting game of Ice hockey, the commitment of the Bombers players is fantastic, we did not get back from Scotland until 3am this morning, then we come up here and turn over the Warriors at home”.

Bombers U16s moved top of the U16 North 2 league with a 9 – 2 victory over Flintshire on Saturday night.

7th November 2005 -Five goals for Billingham Bombers tightened the Teessider's grip on top slot in the English National League. Bombers traveled to the National Ice Centre to face joint leaders Nottingham Lions on Sunday night.

Billingham struck half way through the first session, as Simon Hehir netted assisted by Anthony Price and Ricky Box. Bombers doubled their tally four minutes later as Andy Fletcher applied a tip to a Paul Windridge pass and deflected the puck low under the sprawling Nottingham keeper. With Nottingham penalised for having too many men on the ice, the Bombers settled into their power play, some good cycling of the puck created the space for Scott Ward to score Billingham's third.

Halfway through the third session saw Nottingham 's Joe Wightman hit their only goal of the game. Bombers response was set up by Anthony Price who played the puck through the legs of Nottingham 's Oscar Wightman, stepped around and collected it before squaring a pass to Scott Ward who buried it first time.

Billingham's fifth came two minutes from time, Paul Windridge played an inch perfect pass whilst on his knees, that released Andy Fletcher, one on one with the Nottingham goalie, Fletcher lifted the puck over the keepers left shoulder and sealed a 5-1 victory for the Bombers. Billingham keeper Richard Griffiths took the man of the match award for Billingham.

Bombers manager Allan Flavell commented, “These were very important points tonight, and the boys took them in style, we now have a little breathing space to recover from some of the knocks we have taken in the last few games”.

 

Bombers U12s were also in action this weekend with Bombers running out 5 -1 winners against Newcastle .

Billingham

Callum Clark 1-2, Luke Brown 1-0, Danny Spedding 2-2, Craig Thurston  1-1, Jack Davies 0-1.

Newcastle

C Shanks 1-0, L Shanks 0-1.

Billingham's women's team the Wildcats took their game against Whitley Bay 8 -4.

30th October 2005 - A top of the league Billingham Bombers traveled to Lancashire on Sunday night for the side's first encounter with the Blackburn Hawks. A scoreless first session set the scene for a bruising encounter, which saw Hawks captain Bobby Haig thrown out of the game after 8 minutes, for attempting to incite Bombers David Thomas from the penalty box. Another incident as the first came to a close Billingham's Ricky Box was cross checked from behind as he attempted to leave the ice, followed by a physical onslaught from Blackburn's Scott Barnett ended when other players came to the aid of Box and Barnett was ejected from the game.

At the mid way point of the second session, Blackburn hit a purple patch that saw them put four unanswered goals past the Bombers in the space of five minutes.
The third opened with a goal from Billingham's Anthony Price reducing the Teessider's deficit .

Blackburn denied the Bombers forwards any further scoring opportunity. Bombers found themselves on the power play when Blackburn 's Michael Brunton took a2-minutee sit for roughing. With Hawks win beyond doubt, Bombers Scott Ward and Blackburn 's Wayne Slater dropped their gloves and went toe to toe in an attempt to settle their differences. With both players given 2 + 2 roughing penalty the remaining ten seconds of play concluded. Billingham remain top of the English National league on joint points with Nottingham but ahead due to the results between the teams.

24th October 2005 - Full points this weekend moved Billingham Bombers to the top of the English National league.

A local derby clash against struggling Newcastle Vipers ENL saw the Bombers go ahead in the sixth minute through Simon Hehir, only for the Vipers to tie the game as play resumed. Billinghams man of the match Scott Ward added a brace with no reply from Newcastle in the second session. With penalties mounting against a poorly disciplined Newcastle team Bombers Simon Hehir added his second to make a final score of Newcastle 1 Billingham 4.

Sunday night saw Bombers entertain Welsh visitors the Flintshire Freeze. Bombers took an early lead through an Andy Fletcher goal scored after only 56 seconds. Flintshire's Russ Richardson was thrown from the game on the six minute mark for unnecessary roughness. The Bombers again struck early in the second through Captain Paul Windridge. The Bombers turned up the heat and the Freeze melted under pressure that saw four unanswered goals in ten minutes, with Scott Ward hitting Bombers third , a further 2 goals from Andy Fletcher secured his hat-trick, Stuart Gibbon netted the Teessider`s sixth before Flintshire beat man of the match Billingham goalie Richard Griffiths to score a late consolation goal. An on fire Andy Fletcher netted his fourth of the night to close the score Billingham 7 Flintshire 1.

Billinghams six game unbeaten run has now lifted them clear at the top and seen the side only concede 12 goals in 6 outings. Bombers under 16s were in action at the Forum on Saturday night where a spirited performance saw the Billingham youngsters defeat league leaders Grimsby Dynamo's 5 -1.

16th October 2005 -Billingham Bombers looked to extend their unbeaten run as they traveled to North Wales to face the Flintshire Freeze, with the Bombers in second place in the league and only two points between the clubs the Teessider's need to build on their good home form. Billingham were reeling as Flintshire struck twice in the first three minutes of the game. A solo effort from Billingham Captain Paul Windridge cut the Welsh sides lead on the four-minute mark. Flintshires Peter Founds hit his second half way through the first session. Bombers defender Phil Pritchard collected a 2-minute penalty in the closing minutes of the third that saw Flintshire hit their fourth in the resulting power play and the first closed Flintshire 4 Billingham 1.

The halfway mark of the game saw Billingham Ricky Box score assisted by Fletcher and Windridge. The Welsh side were not for rolling over, play moved from end to end as the second closed with a short-handed hat trick goal for Founds, and the second closed Flintshire 5 Billingham 2.

The third session saw the Teesside team come onto the ice with a mountain to climb. Scott Ward combined with Andy Fletcher to turn up the heat as he beat ex Billingham goalie Ricky Ashton and hit the Bombers third. Billingham had their hosts on the back foot as man of the match Paul Windridge netted his second unassisted goal to bring the Bombers to within one goal of their Welsh hosts. With five minutes left Bombers Andy Fletcher tied the game to the delight of the traveling Billingham fans and bench. Bombers manager Alan Flavell commented “ It's a good result to come here against a full strength Flintshire side and take a share of the points, the Bombers showed grit and determination to fight back into the game”

 

9th October 2005 -Billingham Bombers looked to build on a week that had seen the English National league award the points for the previous Billingham v Newcastle game to Billingham as a 5 – 0 win, due to Newcastle icing an unregistered player.

Sunday night saw the Bombers facing struggling Kingston Jets. Bombers were first of the mark as Paul Windridge lifted a rebound into the roof of the Kingston net. Kingston's penalty's were mounting as they found themselves short handed after a 2 minute slashing call, Billingham's second came on the resulting power play, with the puck being cycled around the Kingston zone, it was centred to Andy Fletcher who hit it first time.

Only thirty seven seconds into the second, Billingham added their third as Phillip Pritchard blasted a shot through the visiting keeper's glove. Billingham played some superb positional hockey but could not find a way past the Humberside keeper, until a minute from the end of the second Stuart Gibbon made it four for the Bombers as he slotted the puck home at the post.

Billingham youngster Scott Harrison scored his first senior Bombers goal half way through the third, when he fired a Mike McKenna pass onto the inside of the post and in. A game that had seen Kingston take 68 minutes of penalty's to Billingham 6, closed Billingham Bombers 5 Kingston Jets 0. Man of the match for his shut out was Billingham keeper James Flavell, and for the Jets Paul Maudsley the Kingston keeper, who let in 5 goals from 54 shots.

Period Scores	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
Billingham	2	2	1	5
Kingston	0	0	0	0

 

Penalty Minutes	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
Billingham	0	4	2	6
Kingston	20	12	36	68

 

Shots on Goal	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
Flavell ( Bill)	7	7	7	21
Maudsley (King)	14	23	17	54

11th Sep 2005 - Billingham Bombers looked to move on from their defeat against Newcastle Vipers ENL as they faced playoff contenders the Nottingham Lions.

Bombers opened the scoring in the tenth minute as a selfless pass from Anthony Price was hit home by Bombers Ricky Box. Early in the second session, Bombers built on their lead as Captain Paul Windridge pounced onto a rebound and lifted the puck into the roof of the net. Nottingham 's answer was swift as a minute later Stefan Dodwell opened for the Lions.

Some inspirational passing and playmaking from the Billingham side saw them hit four goals in a 10-minute purple patch. Bombers third came as Simon Hehir circled the Nottingham goal releasing a pass to Anthony Price who finished from the slot. Billingham's fourth came as Andy Fletcher hit home assisted by Windridge and Thomas. The Teessider's made it five as Gibbon tipped a Fletcher pass to Windridge who made no mistake at the post. The combination of Hehir and Price added the Bombers sixth as Price again proved devastating from the slot. As the second session closed, Nottingham added their second.

The third opened with Bombers Andy Fletcher hitting a further two in the first three minutes of the period to claim his hat trick. Nottingham sparked to life in the last 3 minutes of the game following two time outs and put the Bombers on the back foot with three goals in the last five minutes, the game closed Billingham 8 Nottingham 5.

Period Scores	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
Billingham	1	5	2	8
Nottingham	0	1	4	5

 

Penalty Minutes	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
Billingham	4	4	2	10
Nottingham	6	0	4	10

 

Shots on Goal	1st	2nd	3rd	Final
Griffiths ( Bill)	11	19	16	46
Schofield (Nott)	19	20	14	53

 

11th Sep 2005 - Billingham Bombers opened their season on Saturday night against Newcastle Vipers ENL. The Bombers dominated possession-raining shots onto Vipers keeper Richard Lawson. However, Newcastle got the opener against the run of play as Michael Allison hit Newcastle 's first. Bombers then  found themselves short handed as David Thomas collected a 2-minute tripping call plus 2 minutes for playing the puck without his helmet. Vipers converted the power play as a Callum Hewitt slap shot beat James Flavell in the Bombers net. The Bombers curtailed the Vipers lead as Andy Fletcher and Simon Hehir combined with Fletcher opening the Billingham side's account. The Bombers tied the game just past the half way mark as Captain Paul Windridge forced the puck home assisted by Stuart Gibbon and Anthony Price. Under a minute later Newcastle moved ahead as Callum Hewitt hit his second. The Bombers took the game to the Newcastle side but could not find a way through. Tempers boiled over as Newcastle 's Karl Nelson retaliated following a solid check into the boards by Bombers Simon Hehir, both players took a 2-minute roughing penalty. A match that had seen Billingham out shoot Newcastle by 44 shots on goal to 27 closed Billingham 2 Newcastle 3.

 

22nd July 2005 -Billinghams Thornton brothers Richie and Andy have made the move this week to the EPL. With the demise of the BNL the EPL U - turned on its southern clubs only policy and admitted both Hull and Sheffield.

Hull coach Rick Strachan said: "Richie has always been a quality player. He has disappeared a bit in the last couple of years but he is in good shape.

"He can play the game, has some good talent and moves the puck well. He goes quietly about his job and is a good acquisition for the club.

"Andrew played for the U20s last year and is a physical player who skates well. He has a good future. I am really pleased to bring them both to the club."

 

3rd April 2005 -The Bombers played their final game of the season at Billingham Forum last night, as they tried to claw back a 5-1 aggregate score against Southern Champions Invicta Dynamo's in the English Cup semi final.

The Dynamo's racked up four unanswered goals by early in the second session. Andy Fletcher reduced the Kent sides lead as he fired home a pass from Captain Paul Windridge, under a minute later Bombers hit their second as Martin Lewis found space and time in front of the Invicta goal to hit a one timer laid on by Simon Hehir to reduce the Dynamo's lead to two goals. Invicta hit their fifth as Canadian import Mike Allaby pounced on a rebound of the stick of Bombers net minder Ricky Ashton.

At the half way mark, Ricky Ashton made way to James Flavell in the Bombers goal. The third period remained scoreless, however the referee waived off Bombers protests when a Martin Lewis goal was washed out as the puck traveled through a hole in the goal net. Bombers Jamie Pattison received a 2 + 2 for roughing after retaliating against Invictas Grant Baxter for a hooking call.

The game closed Invicta 5, Billingham 2, an aggregate score of Invicta 10, Billingham 3 securing Invicta a place in the English Cup final. Billinghams James Flavell took man of the match for the Bombers as he kept a clean sheet for the second half of the game.

Bombers U19s were in action on Saturday night at Billingham Forum, a strong start put Billingham in the driving seat against Nottingham and the Billingham side ran out 5 -3 winners.

14th March 2005 - Billingham Bombers hopes of a play-off slot ended at the hands of Nottingham Lions on Saturday night. The Bombers needed one point from the twice previously postponed clash. With the Bombers strength depleted by player suspensions, they were without Garry Dowd, Andy Thornton and Andy Fletcher. The Lions moved ahead in the first as Chris Colegate slotted the puck under Ricky Ashton. Lions struck again early in the second but Bombers responded with a Paul Windridge goal. Ex Billingham goalie Michael Snook was in superb form for the Lions as he denied the Bombers. Lions added two more goals in the second to run out 4 -1 winners.

 

Bombers took to the road on Sunday night to face the Southern champions Invicta Dynamo's in the first leg of the English cup semi final, again Bombers carried the legacy of player suspensions from the previous weekend. The Dynamo's went three up in the first. The battling Bomber's reduced the Kent sides lead through a Robert Dowd strike in the second. Invicta again moved ahead as Canadian Mike Allaby hit Invictas fourth. The Billingham youngsters showed their metal as they held the Dynamo's at bay until 2 minutes from the close when Andy Smith netted the Southern Champions fifth goal. Bombers Richie Thornton collected Man of the Match. Bombers Coach Terry ward commented “We were worthy of a play off place, the bans we picked up last weekend had an impact on our subsequent strength and faith in match officials. The youngsters stepped up and proved that Billingham Bombers have a bright future”. He added “The score line in Kent flattered the Invicta side, at home we will show them that Billingham are worthy cup contenders”.

6th March 2005 - Blackburn Hawks secured a play-off place as they ran out 5 – 3 winners against Billingham Bomber`s on Saturday night at Billingham Forum. The Hawks dominated the first period as they hit two unanswered goals.
Bombers Andy Fletcher was thrown out of the game half way through the first for protests against a penalty call. With penalty calls against the Bombers mounting the Hawks made it three, then added a fourth under a minute later, Bombers hit back as a Martin Lewis goal assisted by Simon Hehir cut the visitors lead.
A minute into the third, Billingham`s Richie Thornton blast home Billingham`s second.

A Robert Dowd attack was thwarted when he was tripped as he skated at the Blackburn goal, however the Bombers found themselves on the end of a diving penalty call against Dowd and Hawks Wayne Slater sat out a 2 minute holding call.

Bombers Martin Lewis scored his second as he beat Blackburn's keeper to reduce the Hawks lead to a single goal. A holding penalty against Bombers Andy Thornton allowed Blackburn to gain a power-play goal. Billinghams sustained pressure found no way through and the penalty misery piled up. With the Bombers having removed their goal keeper to gain an out field advantage

Andy Thornton was called for a misconduct penalty, his response to the penalty saw him receive his marching orders with a match penalty, and then a Game penalty was added. Bombers Garry Dowd graphically illustrated his thoughts on the games refereeing and received two 10 minute misconduct penalty's and an early shower. The game closed Billingham 3, Blackburn 5, with the Bombers having racked up 136 minutes of penalty's compared to Blackburn's 4 minutes.

Billingham players gave reff Glenn Mier the cold shoulder as not a single player shook his hand at the end of the game,and an incensed Billingham crowd booed the referee off the ice. Bombers hopes of reaching the play offs now depend on the result of the abandoned Nottingham Lions game. Bombers next weekend head to Kent to face Southern champions Invicta Dynamoes in the first leg of their English Cup semi final.

26th February 2005 - The crucial play off deciding game for the Billingham Bombers against the Nottingham Lions was tonight abandoned. With the first period having being played the Bombers were leading by 1 - 0.

The ice-resurfacing machine was working on the ice in the first interval and it stopped appearing to have run out of Gas. The operator changed the Gas and eventually got the machine running, however when he moved the machine forward a large trench the width of the machine had appeared in the ice. Officials from the club and Tees Active staff attempted to pack the ice, after a 40 minute delay the referee allowed a further 20 minutes for the pad to freeze, then he brought both captains onto the ice and the decision was made that it would be unsafe to continue the game, and the game was abandoned. This game was already a re-shedule of a game that was abandoned from earlier in the season, its now unsure how the game will be decided.

22nd February 2005 - Les Millie grabbed the winning goal for Sheffield Scimitars in one of the closest games ever witnessed at the Forum.

Billingham Bombers pushed the league leaders all the way with Millie's third session strike proving to be the only goal of the game.

Sheffield featured Elite league players Neil Abel and Les Millie.

The scene was set for a physical encounter when, with just over a minute gone, Sheffield's Neil Abel dropped a glove and threw a punch at Billingham's leading scorer Simon Hehir in retaliation for an interference call against Hehir.

Bombers' Stephen Pritchard was thrown out of the game after he collected his second ten-minute misconduct call at the 11-minute mark.

Some superb stops from Billingham keeper Ricky Ashton frustrated the Sheffield forwards.

Billingham youngster Robert Dowd - who received the approval of the Billingham fans when he dumped Sheffield's Stephen Bingham over the boards and out of play - came closest to scoring for the Bombers when a solo breakaway pinged off the crossbar.

The Scimitars left the ice at the end of the second session looking shaken by the Billingham side's resilience.

The third opened with Billingham a man down as Richie Thornton sat out a two-minute slashing penalty.

Only 41 seconds after the break, the Scimitars converted their power play, as Millie got the game's only goal.

The Bombers battled through the third session, looking for the equalizer and with two minutes left to play, they gained a power play as

Sheffield's Carl Ashton collected a 2 + 2 minute penalty for high sticks.

The Scimitars had pulled down the shutters and defended their narrow margin through to the final hooter.

Ashton won the man of the match award, after conceding just one goal from 57 shots on his goal.

The Bombers U19s were in action on Saturday night when they faced Sheffield U19s - then unbeaten and top of the league.

A solid team performance in a bruising encounter saw the Bombers U19s dominate the Sheffield side in a 6-2 victory.

Billingham's James Udell took the man of the match.

13th February 2005 -With their second match of the weekend the Bombers faced Kingston Jets at the Billingham Forum, the Jets opened the scoring as Stephen Winn forced the puck home.

Billinghams answer came four minutes later as Andrew Payne lit the light for the Bombers. Into the last two minutes of the opening session, and Stephen Winn added his second for the Jets.The Bombers curtailed the visitors lead 30 seconds later as James Udell blasted an unassisted equalizer.

Into the third and with the Jets on the power-play, Aaron Dad hit a one time shot on a pass laid wide to him. Three minutes later, Robert Dowd punished a delayed hooking penalty on the Jets, as he combined with Paul Windridge to level the score. Kingston found themselves temporarily one man short, as a Garry Dowd hit put Kingston 's Stevie Lee over the boards and out of play.The second session ended all level at three goals each.

The final session resumed and Kingston again moved ahead as Mark Florence found the target, however a solo run from Bombers defender Richie Thornton saw him fire home the Bombers fourth.

An intense close saw the Bombers dominate as they looked for the elusive winning goal, the final score stood Billingham Bombers 4, Kingston Jets 4.

 

 

12th February 2005 - Billingham Bombers tonight bounced back from last weeks defeat with a thrill a minute 1 all draw against fellow play off contendors the Blackburn Hawks. A short benched Billingham faced a full Blackburn bench that was without influential Bobby Haig. The first period set a wicked pace and initial concerns were that the short benched Bomber would not be able to stay with the pace. The game moved from end to end and the Hawks opened the scoreing, a relentless pace ensured the first was completed in just under 27 minutes. The second saw the Bombers getting the better chances but Dave Clancy was in good form, the eaqualiser had to be earned and Simon Hehir brought the game level, as the second wound down a collision with the boards left Andy Fletcher with a shoulder injury, Andy played no further part in the game. The third again was end to end with the Bombers having more possesion and more shots on goal, Ricky Ashton performed some superb saves in the Bombers net. The game came to an exiting climax untill Gibson called a holding penalty on a Blackburn player who was on the bench with 3 seconds left on the clock. The game was an excellent advert for ice hockey, a good fast skillful display from both sides. The Bombers moved up to third in the league, with Blackburn still breathing down our necks.

6th February 2005 - Billingham Bombers five game unbeaten run ended in a one sided 7 – 1 drubbing at the hands of local rivals the Whitley Warriors in a North East derby game at Whitley Bay.
Warriors went ahead by two in the first seven minutes. Billingham replied with a power play goal on the nine-minute mark scored by Paul Windridge assisted by Garry Dowd. The first closed with the Warriors leading by one.

Warriors increased their lead at the half way mark, and then added another two to close the second period Warriors 5, Bombers 1.

An intense third got under way with Billingham trying to fight a way back into the game, Stephen Hoult was superb for the Warriors denying the Bombers shot after shot, a sixth goal for the Warriors put pay to Billinghams chances. Whitley made it seven as Bryan Dunn hit his second goal of the game. Tempers began to fray, and play was halted, as Billinghams Jamie Pattison and Whitley's Ben Buckley, came to blows, with Pattison and Buckley both taking a 2 minute sit for roughing.

The referee tried to keep th