Exciting new Telford Tigers frontman on target in final warm-up friendly

Tigers tasted victory and defeat in the first of two weekend friendly double-headers,

Telford Tigers began their friendly action ahead of the new season with mixed fortunes and overtime drama against Swindon Wildcats.

Ronny Paragallo was on target in the friendly | Edward Bowen / ebphotography

placeholder image — Ronny Paragallo was on target in the friendly | Edward Bowen / ebphotography

Tom Watkins’ Tigers were victorious 4-3 on the road in Wiltshire on Saturday night and it was the NIHL National rivals Swindon who claimed a revenge 4-3 success in Shropshire on Sunday evening.

Visitors Wildcats claimed the narrow victory at Telford Ice Rink via a golden goal from veteran Chris Jones less than two minutes into overtime to settle a tight affair in front of Tigers home fans for the first time this season.

The hosts showed impressive grit to twice fight back from 2-1 and 3-2 deficits, with exciting new overseas recruit Ronny Paragallo and fans’ favourite Danny Rose on target to force the extra minutes.

The popular Finley Howells converted from close range to open the scoring after eight minutes against Swindon, and it took until five minutes into the second period for the visitors to hit back.

Danny Rose lashed in Tigers' third | Edward Bowen / ebphotography

But they did so with a double as new Canadian addition Sean Richards netted twice in three minutes to lead.

And the goals kept flowing as a Tigers import got on the scoresheet moments later. United States forward Paragallo, on whom there is big hope this season, lashed in at the back post after a scramble.

Jamie Smith edged Wildcats back ahead five minutes into the final period before Tigers’ James Mather and Richards spent time in the bin for fighting.

It was the familiar figure of long-serving Rose who struck for the hosts’ third on 48 minutes to take the warm-up clash to a decider.

But Jones needed just a little more than one minute to fire in the night’s final goal to earn Swindon the win.

Defencemen Caelan McPhee and Corey Goodison were on target in Saturday’s 4-3 win, as well as forward pair Paragallo and Eric Henderson.

Watkins’ new-look Tigers side have another warm-up double-header this weekend, facing off against league rivals Bristol Pitbulls home and away. They travel to Bristol on Saturday before the return clash in Telford on Sunday (6pm).