We will do all we can says defenceman

London Raiders defenceman David Oliver says the team will be doing all they can over the next two months to clinch a National League play-off spot.

Oliver returned to the side last weekend, after a brief spell at Streatham, but could not prevent Raiders falling to contrasting defeats against Milton Keynes Thunder and table-topping Invicta.

Raiders were edged out by the odd goal in five at Lee Valley on Saturday, when Liam Chong was ejected with a game misconduct, but failed to find the net against a dominant Dynamos the following night.

Oliver said: “The weekend was a bit up and down. Saturday was an odd game, at times we played good hockey, then other times we couldn’t get going and started trying to do to much with the puck, which didn’t help us.

“Sunday was hard to take. Invicta are a great team, built from top to bottom.

“I thought we played okay for two periods, then Invicta showed why they’re top of the league, but we can’t let those results get us down.”

Raiders hit the road this weekend, travelling to Bracknell tomorrow (Saturday), before a key game in Oxford against the struggling Stars the following night.

Alan Lack is set to make his debut for the club, after joining from English Premier League side Peterborough, but young forward Jack Lee left the Raiders ranks this week by mutual consent.

Oliver added: “We have a two big games this weekend, with Sunday’s game a must-win.

“We have a full team going in the game, with the plus of Lacky which is a big boost and is what our team needs right now.

“We will be working hard at practice to get the things right for the weekend.

“We have 14 games left in the season, three teams are on eight points and it’s very close in this mini league. We will be doing everything we can do get in the play-offs and not get relegated.”