Tigers 'embarrassed' in 12-3 defeat at Peterborough Phantoms

The Tigers - who had lifted themselves into the final play-off place with some improved form recently - were on the back foot from the off in the heavy defeat.

And though David Thomson (two) and Rhodes Mitchell-King scored for Telford, 12 goals went into the back of their own net.

“Firstly I would like to apologise to the travelling fans - I failed to acknowledge them at the end the game for which I’m sorry," said Watkins. "I am always grateful for the support the fans bring and I hope everyone gets home safely.

"It’s a long way to travel to support us, it’s even more frustrating and disappointing to watch us play with zero energy, zero quality, zero grit and no physical play.

"A little bit of tenacity would have gone a long way in our performance, but it was missing all night.

"We were second best in everything this evening, the players have let down the fans and embarrassed the club with their poor performance.”

Tigers’ previous game had seen them score a dozen goals although the team’s performance defensively was criticised by the coaching staff after they conceded six goals.

Peterborough’s rink was not a happy hunting ground for the Shropshire side, who have lost on their previous two visits there this season.

Tigers - who have lost Ross Connolly to injury for a few weeks - made a poor start to the the game and were on the back foot for most of the opening five minutes of the contest.

It was no surprise when the hosts took the lead. A pass out of the Tigers’ defensive zone was intercepted by Scott Robson, who sent a pass to Cameron Hough to skate in on goal unopposed and shoot low past Brad Day.

A second goal was not far behind with more defensive woes for Telford as Phantoms captain Luke Ferrara skated through the middle of Tigers’ defence and beat Day with a wrist shot into the top corner of the goal to double the lead.

A dreadful first period was summed up for Telford with an unnecessary holding penalty by Harry Ferguson in the final 30 seconds and Peterborough scored their third goal on the subsequent power play. Day was caught out of position badly, allowing Hough to score his second of the game with a shot from the right circle into the wide open net.

The second period did not bring any respite as within two minutes of the restart the Phantoms had a fourth goal. Mitchell-King attempted to chip the puck out of the Tigers' defensive zone and saw the puck intercepted by Nathan Salam, who skated towards goal and smashed the puck over Day's shoulder into the net.

Tigers managed to get on the scoreboard when James Smith set up Thomson, who scored with a well placed wrist shot, but the home side added a fifth goal shortly after while on the power play. Ferguson was called for slashing, allowing Salam to score his second of the game.

A further power play goal followed as Telford lost their discipline - Ferrara scored a tap-in for Peterborough’s sixth.

Thomson scored a second for Telford with a superb finish in off the bar, although Peterborough scored a seventh goal before the period ended from Zaine McKenzie.

The third period wasn’t any better as Tigers conceded goal after goal.

Janne Laakkonen scored an eighth for the home side, which saw Day replaced in goal by Matty Byrne, and the Phantoms showed no mercy with two more from Ferrara, taking his total in the game to four goals.

Mitchell-King pulled one back for Telford with a long-range shot that appeared to be deflected in front of goal, but Laakkonen and Austin Mitchell-King scored late on for Peterborough to seal an awful night for the visitors.