Shropshire Star

Telford Tigers fans fuming at ban for Tom Watkins

Angry Telford Tigers fans have hit out at the decision to hand head coach Tom Watkins a two-game ban.

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Watkins was absent for Wednesday’s 4-3 NIHL Cup defeat at Swindon Wildcats and will also miss tomorrow’s visit to Solway.

Tigers have been punished for breaching the rule that says they must have a non-playing level two coach on the bench for every game.

The indiscretion happened in last weekend’s league clash at Blackburn Hawks.

Although Tigers won 8-2, the result was scratched and changed to a 5-0 defeat.

But the league also announced the further punishment for Watkins on Wednesday, just hours before the Swindon fixture.

And that has sparked fury among Tigers fans, who feel their club are being punished twice.

Peter Benfield wrote: “Another kick in the teeth off the league, the Tigers could have easily stopped the game at Blackburn when the glass broke on safety grounds, but chose not to disappoint all the supporters and play on. And the thanks they get is a 5-0 loss and a ban for Tom!”

“This is stupid, we have already forfeited a game and lost points as a result. Is it another season of get at Telford?” asked Mike Holt.

David Moreton added: “They certainly don’t like us. Two points deduction is one thing but to stop Tom playing is a joke.”

Ritchie Welson wrote: “This is getting silly now. Just deal with it at the time not keep stacking it on.”

Ivan Fletcher struck a more positive tone, saying: “I thought the match officials on Sunday would have checked there wasn’t a non-playing coach on the bench , but take the ban and the 5-0 loss because come the end of the season we will be top of the league.”

Sue Savo added: “Another stab in the back. This has been going on for years, get over it. Telford best team in EHL.”

It was Tigers who struck first at Swindon in the 19th minute with Joe Miller getting the goal after a pass from Ricky Plant.

But just 40 seconds later, Swindon equalised through Floyd Taylor, leaving the sides tied at the end of the period.

The second period started badly for the visitors with a goal in the 23rd minute from Swindon player coach Aaron Nell. Tigers responded in the 33rd minute with a power play goal from Warren Tait to level at 2-2.

Swindon then went ahead through a power play goal of their own from ex-Tigers player Phil Hill. In the third period Tigers scored after just 28 seconds when Plant fired home to bring them level again.

However, it was Swindon who finished the game on top, with Chris Jones scoring the winner in the 55th minute.

Tigers pulled net minder Dennis Bell in the last minute but could not make the extra attacker count.

Watkins said: “I thought the guys were very unlucky not to get something from the game and deserved more. We competed and that’s the main thing.”