Telford Tigers expect it tough over festive period
Telford Tigers player-coach Tom Watkins believes his side are in for a tough festive period after they started a run of four games in seven days with defeat to Basingstoke Bison.
A 5-2 loss to the EPL title favourites compounded a tough week for the Tigers, with a mumps epidemic – and injuries – still affecting much of the squad last night, writes Matt Giles.
They travel to Manchester Phoenix on Thursday before a trip to Bracknell on Saturday and a home encounter with Guildford Flames on Sunday.
Elliot Knell was the lone scorer for Telford as Basingstoke raced in to a 3-0 lead after just six minutes.
A 4-0 deficit at the end of the first period was reduced by that Tigers strike in the second period, but a goal from Joe Greener moments later regained the status quo.
Watkins refused to criticise young netminder Brandon Stones, who was a late stand-in for mumps victim Declan Ryan.
The Tigers boss said: "It was a tough start and it must have unsettled him. But fair play to Brandon, he stuck in there during the second and third period and did a good job for us.
"It has been a hard week for the guys, with training being cancelled due to illness."
