Hexagon Telford Tigers travelled to Swindon to take on the Wildcats in their opening pre-season challenge game. With the team roster showing a few changes from last season’s title winning team, Tigers were also without Jonathan Weaver, Nick Oliver and Vladimir Luka.
Tigers made a bright start to the game and took the lead within the opening five minutes. Jack Watkins punishing a defensive turnover for the first goal of the game. A second goal followed shortly after with Brodie Jesson setting up Daniel Mulcahy for his first goal for the club since joining from local rivals Solihull Barons.
But, Tigers conceded a goal just thirteen seconds later and the game went downhill from that moment onwards.
Swindon equalised in the sixteenth minute through Tomasz Malasinski. A goal which trigged a collapse for Telford. Swindon added a further three goals in just under two minutes. Loris Taylor, Reed Sayers and Aaron Nell all scoring for Swindon. To rub salt into the wounds, Tigers conceded a sixth goal with just two seconds of the period left. Malasinski scoring his second goal to put the home side firmly in control of the game.
Swindon opened the second period with a seventh goal, Sayers scoring his second of the game as the home side caught Tigers cold once again.
Within five minutes of the restart, the game was over as a contest as Balint Pakozdi scored Swindon’s eighth goal.
Tigers managed to restrict the rampant Wildcats attack to one further goal. Colby Tower scoring with five minutes left to give Swindon a ninth goal.
Tigers face Swindon again at home in their final challenge game before the season starts and have to improve considerably in front of their home fans in the next game.
Final Score: Swindon Wildcats 9 Hexagon Telford Tigers 2.
Scorers: Jack Watkins and Daniel Mulcahy.
Man of the match: Bayley Harewood.
After the game Head Coach Tom Watkins, commented, “All I can say is that we were poor, we made lots of mistakes and got punished every time. We were probably fortunate we only conceded nine goals tonight, I don’t think I’ve ever said that before! There is a steep learning curve for us all, things happened fast tonight, the game got away from us very quickly after a positive start. There is lots for us to improve on.”
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