SWINDON Wildcats’ inconsistent start to the new English Premier League season continued this evening as they were scorched by Guildford Flames on the road.

Stevie Lyle’s side have now won once and lost once in each of the opening three weekends of the campaign as they failed to follow up yesterday’s home win over Manchester Phoenix.

There was little to choose between the sides early on but, already trailing 1-0, the Cats were stung by a red-hot Flames display in the second period as the home side turned the screw in ruthless fashion at the Spectrum, netting four goals without reply.

Guildford were able to pull further clear in the final 20 minutes and most disappointing of all for the Cats was that they did not even have the fight to muster a consolation.

There had been little sign of how one-sided the scoreline would finish as the contest got off to a cagey opening, although the Cats had the better of the play without making it count.

It took three and a half minutes for either netminder to lay a glove on the puck as Swindon player/coach Lyle did the honours, easily gathering an effort from Ben Campbell which dribbled into his grasp via a deflection.

Marcus Kristoffersson let fly for the hosts but Lyle was equal to the strike, while Corey McEwen, Tomasz Malasinski and Aaron Nell all sent in efforts at Gregg Rockman’s goal at the other end without success.

Guildford upped the tempo as the period drew to a close and sent a warning shot to the visitors when a rapid break ended with Kristoffersson firing into the side netting.

Lyle then did really well to deny Matic Kralj twice in quick succession but the hosts finally did get their noses in front soon afterwards when Erik Piatak rifled into the net to send his side into the locker room with a slender advantage.

The goal clearly buoyed the hosts and they doubled their lead early in the second period through Mtic Kralj’s venomous strike – the first of four unanswered goals in the period.

Tom Duggan made it 3-0 soon afterwards when Lyle could not keep out his strike from distance and even playing against a side a man light did not aid the Cats.

Kristoffersson was sent the penalty box following a scuffle with Sam Bullas but netted within seconds of his return to the ice when he finished off a nice move at the back post.

By this time the Cats were being carved open at will and Matt Towe gave the hosts a five-goal cushion heading into the final period with a crisp strike on the angle.

Lyle removed himself upon the resumption of play, with Jordan Hedley taking his place between the pipes, but the agony continued for the visitors as Kristoffersson beat the new netminder at his near post.

Flames remained in control until the final buzzer but never really looked like adding to their advantage, while the closest the Cats could must in their bid to snatch a consolation were tame efforts from Adam Harding and Matt Selby.