Altrincham Aces 5 Basingstoke Buffalo 9

THE BASINGSTOKE Buffalo put one foot in the final of the English National League play-offs after an excellent away victory over the Altrincham Aces on Sunday.

Coach Ed Campbell is, however, taking nothing for granted as he prepares for the return leg tomorrow (5.30pm).

He said: "They are a good hockey team and have some good size and will no doubt come here and look to get a result.

"We will go into the game looking to win it and repeat our success there."

The Buffalo will have to re-shuffle their squad, as Mark Jordan is unavailable, but they will welcome back Leigh Baker, David Gibson, Ollie Beckwith and Nigel Shephard.

Campbell said: "In the first game, Anthony Page was on fire, having a hand in every goal and it remains to be seen what they will do to try and stop that.

"They could try what Telford did and run some of our players, to take them out of the game.

"Whatever happens it should be a good game and it's free, so we are expecting a big crowd.

"The Buffalo's last game at home proved to an action-packed affair from start to finish and, with everything to play for, there is no reason to think this will not be the same."

On Sunday, the visitors came back from a goal down as Mark Jordan scored, assisted by brother Andrew Jordan and man-of-the-match Page.

However, the home side regained the lead before Page netted twice, the first from Ryan Cathcart and Drew Campbell, the second from Mike Newberry and Campbell to make it 3-2 at the break.

After the break, Page completed his hat-trick, from Mark Jordan and Steve Kochli, and then added a fifth as he finished a move involving Campbell and Cathcart.

When Page scored his fifth the game looked all over but the home side scored either side of the break to make it 6-4.

The teams swapped further goals as Jordan scored for the Buffalo and it was left to Campbell to score a brace with assists going to Page and Darren Elliott.