Hungry Telford Tigers maintain their four-midable start

A solid display in Slough on Sunday saw them complete a weekend double over Bracknell Bees to make it four wins from four outings.

Tigers had gone into the clash in confident mood having claimed an impressive 5-1 success at home to the Bees on Saturday. But Sunday’s match-up proved a more challenging test with goals from Scott McKenzie and Austin Mitchell-King securing a hard-fought 2-1 triumph.

The victory left Tigers sitting second in the table on goal difference, level on points with leaders Sheffield Steeldogs who have also won their opening four games.

And despite their fine start, head coach Tom Watkins still believes there is room for improvement.

“Four point weekends are always good, but we had a huge let off in the last minute on Sunday when the Bracknell player missed a glorious chance,” said Watkins.

“The power play is still not clicking, which is frustrating, and it feels like we missed a few good chances.

“But I don’t want to be to negative after another strong weekend. Players are still finding their feet and their fitness so I’m pleased to sneak a win on the road.”

Tigers started Sunday’s contest strongly and had an early power play chance when Bracknell’s Josh Martin was given a penalty for a check from behind. The visitors peppered the Bees’ goal with shots but could not get past netminder Adam Goss.

Tigers’ pressure was finally rewarded late in the first period with a goal while both teams had players in the penalty box.

Bracknell’s Ciaran Long and Tigers’ Sam Jones were serving penalties when Jonathan Weaver combined with Danny Rose to set up McKenzie, who looped a shot into the top corner past Goss’s despairing dive.

Tigers were then rocked when Bracknell levelled the game with just 0.6 seconds left in the opening period – Vanya Antonov’s wrist shot beating Jordan Hedley to send the sides to the break tied at 1-1.

The second period was as close as the first with both teams having chances and the small ice pad restricting any fluid play.

Goss denied McKenzie and Robert Lachowicz in quick succession before saving smartly from Ross Venus. But the home netminder was unable to stop Tigers bagging what proved to be the winning goal before the end of the second period.

Jack Watkins won a clean face off draw in the Bracknell zone and found Austin Mitchell-King with his pass. He then drilled a low shot past the screened Goss for his first Tigers goal.

The final third period saw Kieran Brown, Venus and McKenzie force saves from Goss early on.

Tigers then dug in to maintain their lead with Hedley called into action several times, including a late save to deny Josh Waller.

Watkins side will look to build on their fine start when they face Swindon Wildcats at home on Saturday and away the following day.