Davis: No reason we can’t take points

Romford Recorder: London Raiders captain Tom Davis goes on the attack against Bracknell (pic: Kevin Slyfield)London Raiders captain Tom Davis goes on the attack against Bracknell (pic: Kevin Slyfield) (Image: Archant)

London Raiders captain Tom Davis is confident his play-off chasing side can get something from their National League double-header with Streatham this weekend.

Raiders welcome the Redskins to Lee Valley tomorrow (Saturday), before a return in south London the following night.

And they go into the action on the back of a mixed weekend, that saw them take a point at fourth-placed Bracknell – after letting a three-goal lead slip – before losing to fellow strugglers Oxford in a high-scoring, penalty-littered affair.

Davis said: “Streatham have been a big team this season with some great players, but there’s no reason why we can’t grab some points from them this weekend.

“We have had some new and experienced players come in over the last month with great talent, so I’m sure we will be up there with them.”

Raiders lost 7-3 on home ice in their only previous meeting with Streatham this season, but have added Grant Taylor, David Oliver and Alan Lack to their line-up since.

And they are hoping the confirmed signing of a second import in Jakub Kostelansky will further boost their attacking options.

Taylor, Jacob Ranson and Liam Chong put them 3-0 up at Bracknell, before the Hornets hit back with three goals in less than three minutes in the final period for a share of the spoils.

Oxford scored twice inside five minutes on Sunday, leaving Raiders to play catch-up.

And although Taylor netted twice more for Raiders, with Chong, Davis, Lack and Vaclav Drabek also on target, the home side always kept their noses in front before a late empty-net goal earned them the points.

Fighting broke out with 10 seconds left, with Davis and Ross Wilkinson both picking up match penalties.

Davis added: “It was a shame the game had to come to blows at the end, but these things happen and we stuck up as a team.

“Both games were games we could win. Saturday we played some great hockey, came out hard and went in front.

“But Bracknell had a good 10 minutes in the third to get level and even had a chance to win, but a big stop from (James) Tanner prevented that.

“Sunday was a huge game for us, but unfortunately we couldn’t get the two points we needed.

“Our powerplay was the best I’ve seen all year, but we just fell short of the W.”