Match Reports 2011-2012

MATCHREPORT: Coach's Pride In Team Effort

"I'm proud of my guys tonight" - that was the reaction of Telford Tigers player-coach Tom Watkins after his under-strength side delivered a scare to EPL title-chasers Slough Jets.

Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Berkshire outfit was, on paper, a similar result to the previous weekend's defeats, when they conceded 21 goals in just two games.

But after Telford lost three players to injury during the game - as well as defenceman Daniel Croft - Watkins was delighted with his squad's efforts against one of the league's highest-scorers.

He said: "Slough are a very good side because of who they have in their line-up, but I am proud of my guys tonight.

"They worked very hard. We had a good sit-down after last week and addressed some issues we have been struggling with in practice.

"Defensively we were very strong and it was just a couple of mistakes that gave up goals, but that is just down to a lack on energy."

"It was a much improved performance from the boys."

MATCHREPORT: No Joy For Tigers On Travels

Tom Watkins has offered "no excuses" after Telford Tigers conceded 21 goals in a dire weekend for the club.

Saturday night's 9-1 loss at Manchester Phoenix was followed by a 12-2 defeat at Peterborough Phantoms the next day.

Those results condemned Telford to their darkest weekend of the season as they slipped 16 points adrift adrift of the final play-off spot.

And Watkins was quick to look ahead, he said: "After a weekend like that, all you can do is move on. We put in a lot of effort, but we just came up short.

"On Saturday night, we competed with Manchester, and it just wasn't our night. They showed why they are in the mix for the title.

"But on Sunday, we should have done much better. There are no excuses for a performance like that."

MATCHREPORT: Tigers Take Home Victory Over League Leaders

Tom Watkins believes consistency is Telford Tigers' Achilles heel after his side continued their winning streak on home ice with a 5-4 victory over Guildford Flames - but not before they lost 9-1 in Surrey just 24 hours earlier.

Sunday's win over Guildford, which came after a dramatic penalty shoot-out, was Telford's second consecutive scalp at the ice rink, following on from their success over Sheffield last weekend.

But with both victories coming after heavy away defeats, player-coach Watkins will be looking to improve his side's record on the road if they are to close the 13-point gap to a play-off place.

He said: "There were a lot guys who put in great performances tonight. Daniel Croft made a great play at the end when he was facing a two-on-one and Marek Hornak was awesome.

He hunted down so many pucks that he got onto the end of. We have just got to get our consistency levels right home and away. It used to be that we were better on the road, but now we are better at home. We have got to address that."

MATCHREPORT: Night And Day Performances See Tigers Go Close

Telford Tigers boss Tom Watkins has highlighted the "night and day" improvement in his side's performance against Basingstoke Bison on Sunday night - just 24 hours after an 11-2 drubbing at the hands of Slough Jets.

A late open-net goal gave the Bison a 3-1 victory as the Tigers - who matched their opponents for much of the game - looked to snatch a well-deserved equaliser.

But with Saturday's night's match showing little of the hard work and determination that Telford's reputation is built on, the Tigers player-coach was happy with their reaction on Sunday.

He said: "We might not have the depth and top-end talent of sides like Slough and Basingstoke, but we get by on hard work and we did that against the Bison.

"We dominated in the first period and had good spells in the second and third periods. We were pushing for the whole game and it was a good, solid 60 minutes.

MATCHREPORT: Watkins Eyes Leadership And Squad Improvements

Player-coach Tom Watkins has hailed the "great leadership" of Telford Tigers forward Scott McKenzie, with his side refusing to rule out an unlikely play-off charge - despite Monday's 3-2 defeat to Sheffield Steeldogs.

McKenzie was once again on target during the final period at Ice Sheffield as the Tigers narrowly missed out on forcing overtime for the third time in three matches.

The Scott has amassed 27 points in 28 games this season and is second only to joint-top scorers Josh Bruce and Joe Henry.

Watkins will remain alert to any available players during the remaining few weeks of the transfer window, but believes assistant captain McKenzie is showing true leadership qualities.

He said: "Scott typified it to me this weekend when people thought we would be getting a new player and Tom Carlon became available. We didn't sign him, but Scott said you don't miss what you've never had.

"He said there is a lot of belief that we can still make the play-offs and that shows great leadership. We need to get that belief through to the guys, but we played with a lot of passion through Christmas."