AARON Nell admits Swindon Wildcats’ NIHL South One status in unlikely to be dramatically altered before the end of the season, but insists this weekend’s fixtures can still be a useful momentum builder for their assault on silverware.

While Tuesday’s NIHL Cup semi final return leg at Telford Tigers looms large for the Link Centre men - with the tie finely poised at 3-3 after Wednesday’s opener - Nell is determined that tonight’s home league clash with Streatham (6.15pm) and tomorrow’s trip to Cardiff Fire serve a purpose.

With an eight-point gap between themselves and London Raiders and the gap to the top two of Peterborough Phantoms and Basingstoke Bison unlikely to be bridged, little appears to be riding on the Cats’ weekend engagements.

However, with the potential of another cup final in the offing, to go with their Autumn Cup showpiece appearance, Nell insists building up a head of steam could prove crucial in the coming weeks.

Thursday’s 7-3 win at Invicta Dynamos was a first victory in five matches for the Link Centre men and Nell admitted: “We’re happy with the win. I thought it was important to get a win and then push on to the weekend.

“I thought we started the game really well. We weren’t great in the second period but in the third period I thought we were good again.

“We’re happy. It was good and it was good to get (Matt) Smital some ice time in goal and be able to get a big win.’’

He added: “We’ve got a massive game (at Telford) on Tuesday, but I think it’s important on Saturday to get a win at home.

“It’s two games in a row there where we haven’t won at home, so I think it’s important to get a win there. Then Sunday, we just need to make sure we win the game and then we just start preparing for Tuesday.

“It’s going to be tough to move up so hopefully we can stay in that third spot and the quicker we can do that we can properly concentrate on those cup games coming up and hopefully have a lot of success.’’

Cats thrashed Streatham 8-3 at home at the start of the month, but Nell added: “It (momentum) is huge. I think it will be a tough game against Streatham.

“We beat them well last time, but they are going to come a lot harder I think and it’s going to be a very difficult game.

“It will be a third game in four nights for us and we need to make sure we can be strong and disciplined and if we do that we can get the win.

“Everything is towards Tuesday after that. We’re looking forward to it and it’s going to be a big challenge.’’

Wildcats skipper Jan Kostal missed out against Invicta and will also sit out this weekend’s fixtures, but Nell hopes he will be back to face Telford in the cup semi-final.

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