"But to have it at local level is a bit harsh. I don't personally like it and most of the players don't like it whatsoever."
The match was tied at 1-1 at halftime, with Bryce McKenzie getting one of TCOB's standard goals, while returning Central rep player Kane Watkin tied the match late.
Atkinson also singled out Nathan Thomas, captain Craig Ratini and goal keeper Andrew Jurgens for big games.
Determined to be squarely in the hunt for the top four come the season's end, Atkinson said the side's "back-and-arounds" play needs improvement, but they should definitely be on track come the playoffs.
Supporting the TCOB men and definitely in a good mood as they did so were the club's new women's side, who earlier in the afternoon had picked up a memorable first-ever victory 4-2 over High School Hockey Club Evergreens.
Kathryn Paul, lovingly nicknamed "Peewee", had a giant of a game by scoring a hat-trick, two off penalty corners and the third which manager Ian Glenny called a "beautiful" field goal to wrap it up.
"We capitalised off our penalty corners and we defended theirs'," Glenny said.
Paul was able to get some open spaces because of good work by the other strikers, namely Nicky Skedgwell and Kylie Penn, who had some good runs. Melissa Hylton and Nicky McGregor worked well in the halves, while Tess Meha ran all day, said Glenny.
Lauren Mooney gets better and better while Glenny also praised captain Michelle Low, who is playing out of position at fullback but brings much to the side with her leadership.
It was less of a happy afternoon in Palmerston North as the young Rangers outfit went down to MCOB 5-1.
Matt Attwell scored in the first stanza to keep Rangers in the game at 2-1 at the interval, but again the side had that crucial period when concentration or adrenaline falters.
Previously, it has happened early in matches, but this time the axe fell with 20 minutes left.
"It was a good game till half time," said manager Bryce Balsley. "The second half they had a lapse for ten minutes and [MCOB] banged in three goals.
"They drop the heads a bit and game over."
Mason Glenny and Sam Collins had good matches at the back.
In the women's game, Collegians were just outplayed by HSOC, losing 4-0.
Manager Kellie Watkin said the girls just could not adjust to the undefeated HSOC style of play quick one-touch and move the ball on as opposed to trapping it then looking to pass.
"The scoreline really didn't reflect the game.
"We didn't play badly, we just couldn't find the goal."
HSOC scored a double in each half.
