TRS Telford Tigers take lightning to penalty shots
A 5-4 defeat at Swindon Wildcats on Saturday evening was followed by a 3-2 penalty shots loss at home to Milton Keynes on Sunday.
Both games saw Telford remain within reach of victory until the closing stages, with Sunday's encounter in particular proving to be a tense affair.
Ultimately, however, the county men emerged with a single point from the weekend - but Watkins was encouraged by their efforts.
He said: "We are a young side, but we put in some great performances. We said beforehand that we need to get the basics right and the right outcome would come.
"We did all the right things and against Milton Keynes it went to penalty shots, so it could have gone either way.
"Our netminder Declan made some good saves, but one of their penalty shots bounced and had a lot of back spin. That made it into the net, while for us, James Preece hit the post. On another day, we would have won it."
Jaroslav Kruzik, Tomas Karpov, Scott McKenzie and James Preece were on target in Wiltshire on Saturday, while McKenzie and Karpov were on target against Milton Keynes.
Karpov was the only Tigers scorer in the penalty shoot-out as the two netminders dominated proceedings.
"We were really gutsy against MIlton Keynes and dominated the game," Watkins added.
"We outshot them 31 to 22 and on another night, we would have taken the points. We let it slip a bit against Swindon on Saturday and we were in the same position at 2-1 when we started the third period on Sunday.
"But we made sure we didn't make the same mistakes and Milton Keynes had to work hard for their win."
After Sundays game, Elliot Knell handed in his two-weeks notice at the club after deciding that traveling costs were too expensive. The youngster lives in Sheffield and leaves the Tigers with the best wishes of everyone connected with the club.
Telford will be looking to return to winning ways next weekend when they play to host to Bracknell Bees on Saturday, before a trip to Sheffield Steeldogs on Sunday.
Video courtesy Howling Monkey Media
http://www.youtube.com/v/6EXYMoHGvZU?version=3&hl=en_GB&rel=0
