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Guildford Flames hold a 1-0 advantage over Basingstoke Bison after last night’s first leg EPL Cup semi-final tie.

Matt Towe’s strike midway through the third period sealed the win, while netminder Richard Ullberg posted a 26 save shut-out.

Flames’ boss Paul Dixon said: “We were pretty disappointed with the back-to-back losses against Milton Keynes on Saturday and Sunday, so this game couldn’t come soon enough to give us something to feel better about.

“Bison are the league leading club so we knew to have success in their building, and to get the cup series home with a chance to move on, we were going to have to deliver a sound performance front to back, and we really did that.

“We were able to limit their opportunities without consistently being outnumbered in the neutral zone, and when they did break through, Richard was outstanding to ensure a single goal would do the job.

“You always want to enter the second leg with a lead, tied or at least within a goal to ensure a good chance of completing a two game success, so we’re pleased to head home with that in the bank.

“Having said that, Bison are right there just a goal off the pace so they too will know that nothing has been decided and each team has it all to play for next Wednesday.”

The winners of the tie will face Peterborough in the final after the Phantoms completed a 6-3 aggregate success against MK Lightning. Craig Scott’s second leg hat-trick was the difference between the two sides.

(Image permission: John Uwins)

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