WILDCATS skipper Wayne Fiddes admits Saturday's clash with Romford is a "must-win" game for both sides - as Swindon step up their bid for the play-offs.

Going into tomorrow's Link Centre clash, Swindon are one point ahead of Romford as they hover just inside the play-off zone, but Fiddes knows there is no room for slip up.

Currently the npower Wildcats and Raiders hold the last two positions in the all-important top eight but, with Chelmsford snapping at their heels behind, Fiddes is desperate to earn some breathing space.

He said: "This game is absolutely massive. It is definitely the biggest game we have had so far this season because we know a win would be huge in our aim to reach the play-offs.

"It is these games that you have to win really. If we can beat Romford then there is suddenly a little gap, but if we lose they go ahead of us and Chelmsford could catch us up as well.

"The top six have already broken away while the battle for the last two play-off places is between us, Romford and Chelmsford. We have to make sure it is us."

Swindon boosted their play-off bid last weekend with back-to-back victories and Fiddes is confident their recent improvement will continue tomorrow.

Wildcats then travel to the Bracknell Bees the following day, with another double success a realistic goal.

"Why not?," said Fiddes. "We have a good squad here and when we are all fit we could beat anyone on our day. Lee Brathwaite looks like he will still be out through injury but apart from that we are looking okay.

"I think last weekend has installed a bit of belief into us all. We know now we are capable of getting results and it is in the games against the teams around us where we really have to be doing that."

Pete Russell's Link Centre outfit sneaked into last season's play-offs, before crashing out early, and Fiddes insists it would be inexcusable not to give themselves a chance to make amends.

He said: "It would be a disaster if we did not get in that top eight. We are under achieving as it is and it would be very hard to take if we did not manage to pick up enough to secure our place in the play-offs.

"But I don't think anyone is thinking that could be a possibility.

"The potential of this team is huge and we won't be satisfied with just making that top eight either.

"Once we get there we want to surprise a few people and if we keep a fit squad we all believe we can do that."

  • The Cats will face the Elite League's Cardiff Devils in an exhibition game with a twist on Wednesday, February 20 at the Cardiff Bay rink.

The event promises to be a bit of fun for both players and fans alike, with both teams putting a light-hearted spin on their respective pushes for play-off qualification.

The match will be a friendly competition between the two clubs and the format will be two 20-minute stop time periods. If the match is tied the two teams go into a penalty shootout.

The second part of the evening will be a series of skills challenges between the two teams.

Tickets are available from the Devils office on 0845 434 9055, admission is £5.