THE SWINDON Wildcats got back to winning ways this evening with a comfortable victory at English Premier League basement boys Bracknell.

Ryan Aldridge’s men, who had suffered four defeats in a row going in to today’s clash at the John Nike Leisure Centre, ran out 4-1 winners at their near neighbours thanks to goals from Tomasz Malasinski, Lee Richardson, Jan Kostal and Alex Symonds.

A frantic opening few minutes saw Malasinski test Alex Mettam with a powerful slapshot whilst Stevie Whitfield drew another save from the home netminder with a driven, low strike.

When the chaotic pace finally eased off, the Wildcats began to put together the more purposeful work, despite Czech veteran Lukas Smital drawing a save from Stevie Lyle.

Aaron Nell and Bracknell’s Scott Spearing both went close at either end of the rink before Aldridge’s side went into the lead courtesy of Malasinski, who turned the puck home from close range after being set-up by Kenton Smith deep into the first period.

With a 1-0 advantage on the board, Swindon eventually found themselves in a five-on-three situation after the hosts’ Lewis Turner and Matt Foord both went into the sin-bin in quick succession but the Wildcats couldn’t capitalise, with Malasinski going closest to finding the net.

Three minutes in to the second period, a smart cutback from Ollie Betteridge set up Symonds to crack one but his drive was knocked away by goalie Mettam.

As the visitors continued to turn the screw, the Wildcats doubled their lead as Richardson found space in the opposition’s third and blasted an effort into the top corner off the net to make it 2-0.

Moments later, Swindon pressed the issue home and went further ahead, with Kostal knocking home from point-blank range after his side peppered the Bracknell goal.

The visitors continued to have the better of it and found themselves with a two-man advantage for an extended spell after Turner, Smital and then Ryan Watt were all penalised in quick succession.

The Wildcats piled on the pressure but were unable to force another breakthrough as Bracknell battened down the hatches.

Determined to make a fist of things, the hosts flew out of the blocks in the third period and reduced the deficit through Matt Towalski, who squeezed a shot in from a tight angle.

A stirring counter-attack from the Bees almost paid dividends moments later as Bracknell set about attempting to spark a comeback.

Tensions boiled over midway through the period, with Smith and Spearing going at it following a hefty collision near the boards before Sam Bullas and former Wildcat Watt downed gloves to sort out the two teams’ differences.

And when the chaos eventually died down, Symonds pounced to fire home Swindon’s fourth of the evening and get his side back to winning ways in both the English Premier League and Challenge Cup.