Streatham Redskins may be bottom of English National Ice Hockey League One South and on a run of 11 defeats in 12 games, but head coach Barry Spours is still hopeful of survival, writes James Haggis.

Despite their terrible run, in which they have a solitary point thanks to a draw with Bristol Pitbulls on February 12, the Brixton-based side remain just three points off Slough Jets, who they still have to play twice, and eight off Milton Keynes Thunder, who they have to play once.

Overhauling Slough would take them out of the automatic relegation place, while overhauling Milton Keynes as well would also see them avoid a relegation play-off and keep their place in the league.

“Survival is the realistic aim and our priority is staying up,” said Spours.

“The biggest risk with playing Slough though is that they are one of those clubs that have an English Premier League team.

“They lost 24-2 last Saturday but if they drop down a few players from their EPL side, then they are a different team.

“Our hope is, because we are running into the part of the season when games mean nothing for some teams, they might play their fourth string to give them ice time.”

It was another disappointing two days for Redskins last weekend, as they lost 8-0 at Cardiff Devils on Saturday and 5-2 at home to Romford Raiders on Sunday – with Stevie Balmer and Gennadi Yufit scoring in a bad tempered game.

They put up a brave fight against league leaders Romford, but, when a fan was struck by the puck, the game was stopped and the momentum they gained was lost.

“I definitely felt we had the momentum at that point,” added Spours, whose side host mid-table Invicta Dynamos on Saturday.

“Although we came out on top at the start of the next period for a while it did eventually swing back.

“But it was good to feel we were actually in a game with the league champions and they were playing full tilt as well, not just going through the motions.”

“Invicta is a big challenge as they seem to have upped their game lately and absolutely annihilated Slough last weekend with that 24-2 win.

“But, if we play how we did on Sunday, I fancy us giving them a good game.

“We are a bit worried about Tomas Valko getting a suspension though.

“If it looked like we were going to lose him for a game then we would have to do something about that and keep him from taking the penalties the week before.

“We would need him in the games against Bristol and Milton Keynes.”