SWINDON Wildcats face their biggest challenge of the season this weekend when facing both London Raiders and Bracknell Bees, according to player-coach Aaron Nell.

The Wildcats will be looking to extend their unbeaten run at home to seven games on Saturday night when hosting the Raiders before the table topping Bees provide the opposition on Sunday.

Following Wildcats’ two convincing league wins against Invicta Dynamos last weekend, Nell is understandably keen to avoid complacency within his side’s roster.

And the attacking threats that both the Raiders and Bees possess will provide the Link Centre outfit with a timely challenge amid their current untouchable home form.

Nell said: “The Raiders are a good team that have enjoyed a good start to the season, and they’ve improved over the summer.

“It’s going to be a tough game, this is a huge weekend for us. We’re looking forward to it.

“The league is a marathon, not a sprint. You want to make a good start, of course.

“But it’s important we adopt a one game at a time mentality. This weekend will be a huge test.

“We’re playing two different teams – not one team back to back – so our preparation will adjust slightly. But we’re looking forward to it.”

Bracknell meanwhile enter this weekend in a rich vein of form having recorded wins against Romford and Milton Keynes in the league last weekend.

One loss from their opening seven league fixtures stands the Bees in good stead ahead of Sunday’s clash, and Nell admits his side must be on top of their game if they are to return to Wiltshire with two points.

“Bracknell is a tough place to go, they’re top of the league and are well coached,” said Nell.

“They’ve got a lot of depth and will present us with a good challenge – it will make for a great game.”

Away from the club’s current league focus, Swindon were drawn against Peterborough Phantoms in the semi-final of the Autumn Cup.

Two losses against Hull Pirates and Telford Tigers from their six group stage games proved enough to earn Nell’s troops qualification to the knockout stage of the tournament.

An aggregate win against the Phantoms will result in Wildcats facing either Sheffield Steeldogs or Hull Pirates in the grand final.

Nell said: “We had success against Peterborough in the Autumn Cup last year, but they had success against us in the league.

“It will make for two good games, and it will be the first time we play them this season.

“They’re one of the top teams, I’m sure it will make for two great games of hockey – hopefully it will be as entertaining as last year.”