Oliver: Every game is like a cup final

East London Advertiser: Juraj Huska in action in his last game for Raiders against Isle of WightJuraj Huska in action in his last game for Raiders against Isle of Wight (Image: Archant)

Defenceman David Oliver says London Raiders must treat every National League game as crucial as they head into their first double-header of the new season this weekend.

Raiders were edged out by Invicta last weekend and meet the Dynamos again in a quick return fixture at Lee Valley tomorrow (Saturday).

Danny Marshall’s men will then make the short trip to Brixton to take on Streatham and Oliver believes they can take heart from their recent performance, saying: “We have to treat every game like a cup final. We shouldn’t have lost last week but we let in two sloppy early goals.

“We bounced back though and will be looking for four points from this weekend.

“We’ll be looking to play against them in exactly the same way but with a better start. We managed to keep their big scorers quiet on the day, our defence played really well and we’ll be looking to do the same again.”

Invicta bolstered their ranks during the summer by snapping up Raiders import Juraj Huska, as well as Chelmsford’s highly rated British forward – and another ex-Raider – in Danny Hammond.

And Oliver knows they will pose a significant threat in the race for silverware this season.

He added: “If you look at their team on paper they’re great and their forwards are so quick.

“We know what Huska can do from playing together last season, but he has missed some games through suspension so it will take him a little while to get back into his stride.

“I know that given time, Huska is going to have a great season for Invicta, we just have to hope he doesn’t start this Saturday against us.

“When he’s at his best he is unstoppable, but it’s not just him. They’ve got Jakub Klima as well and great Brits like Danny Hammond and Callum Fowler.

“Anthony Leone is out there too and he’s always willing to play tough and drop the gloves, so they’ve got a lot that they can throw at us.”

As for Sunday’s meeting with the Redskins, who slumped to a 12-3 defeat at the Isle of Wight in their league opener, Oliver remained on his guard.

He said: “It’s never easy going to Streatham and they’ve got some good forwards too.

“It’s a bit of a London derby now, but I don’t think it will ever be as big as games between us and Chelmsford.

“Even when we were playing at Romford, Streatham always set out to try and upset us.”