Player-coach confident of success at Solent

London Raiders player-coach Danny Marshall takes his side back to Solent on Sunday, looking to bounce back after double defeat last weekend.

Raiders slipped to losses against Invicta and Chelmsford in cup and league action, but Marshall was not too disheartened.

He said: “We came out really well against Invicta and were all over them in the first period, outshooting them. But Chris Douglas stood on his head for a bit and the next thing you know we were 3-0 down.

“I didn’t think the goals were justified, but our heads went down a bit and the second period was a bit non-existant.

“There were a couple of incidents in the third, but we showed a bit of character and ended the game better.”

Marshall talked himself into trouble with referee Yurij Solovjovs, earning a game misconduct, while Invicta’s former Raiders defenceman Billy Phillips was ejected with a match penalty for fighting.

“I’ve got to be careful what I say,” joked Marshall. “If we want to be a good team, we have to overcome these teams. Invicta are a good side and have strengthened, but I get the feeling they will slip up along the way. Time will tell.

“A couple of mistakes cost us two shorthanded goals at Chelmsford. Nobody’s perfect. I don’t mind losing if we’ve been outplayed, but it was a hard weekend and a bit of an eye-opener.

“I think that’s the best the league has to offer. Chelmsford are a bit stronger. They’re well-drilled, disciplined and have quite a bit of depth. But we’re a team that can beat Chelmsford.

“It’s early days yet, but they threw their best at us. We’ve got more to come and haven’t played our best yet.”

Raiders return to the south coast to take on Solent, having already won 4-1 on the small rink this season.

And Marshall is confident of picking up the points once again despite the absence of Frankie Harvey, who is unavailable after only just returning from suspension.

He added: “We’re gelling and moving forwards, but when you’re only training once a week it’s hard.

“We’re trying to gel in matches when points are on the table and can only take it one weekend at a time, but we’re going to Solent with a similar team as before and know what to expect.

“We can’t take them for granted. They’ve beaten Oxford since we last met and they’re not a bad side, but we’ve got to go and get the points after losing last weekend and I expect us to win.”