Streatham Redskins head to MK Thunder on Saturday looking to build on their impressive recent form in NIHL1 South.
Redskins, who have lost one of their last nine league games, currently lie third in the table – five points behind second placed Invicta Dynamos.
Last weekend’s game against Thunder saw the Redskins run out comfortable 6-0 winners, but captain Joe Johnston expects a tougher test in Milton Keynes.
He said: “MK have been a bogey team of ours for a while so it was very pleasing to grab a convincing win in front of a good crowd here on the High Road last weekend.”
“They were missing a few players but you can only beat what’s in front of you and the most pleasing thing was the clean sheet and shut out by Wridey (David Wride)”
“We play them on Saturday in the league and we are expecting them to have a full squad and be a very different proposition.”
On Sunday Streatham take on Chelmsford in a South East Cup competition which has already been won by the Chieftains.
Johnston added: “The Chieftains have been the benchmark in this league for the past few seasons and sadly for us this year is no different.”
“They are in formidable form but we are not exactly playing badly ourselves, so Sunday’s clash should be a great advert of hockey even though it’s a meaningless game in truth.
“These days we rarely play as underdogs, especially at home, but I think on Sunday most neutrals will have Chelmsford down for the win.
“That’s fine and is an incentive for us to upset the apple cart, plus it will be nice for us to play without being expected to win by the outside world.
“We can play with a bit more freedom, but our belief is that we can win every game.”
In D2S, Swindon Wildcats NIHL travel to Basingstoke Buffalo on Sunday looking to make it four wins from their last five games.
Wildcats have scored 27 goals in their last four matches and Player/Coach Dan Sullivan has challenged his young team to keep improving.
“Basingstoke handed Cardiff their first defeat of the season in their first home game at the new rink last weekend to move top, so we’re expecting them to come at us with bags of confidence this weekend,” said Sullivan.
“We had a good performance last weekend too though and with the series tied, the points are definitely up for grabs.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
NIHL1 South
Saturday
Bracknell Hornets v Oxford City Stars
Cardiff Devils NIHL v Invicta Dynamos
Chelmsford Chieftains v Solent Devils
MK Thunder v Streatham Redskins
Wightlink Raiders v London Raiders
Sunday
Invicta Dynamos v London Raiders (Cup)
Oxford City Stars v Bracknell Hornets
Solent Devils v MK Thunder
Streatham Redskins v Chelmsford Chieftains (Cup)
NIHL2 South
Saturday
Haringey Racers v Chelmsford Warriors
Slough Jets v Bristol Pitbulls (Cup)
Sunday
Basingstoke Buffalo v Swindon Wildcats NIHL
Lee Valley Lions v Peterborough Islanders
Wightlink Tigers v Cardiff Fire
(Image permission: Rick Webb)
