No Storm-ing start for beaten Mohawks
WHITLEY Mohawks opened their 2017/18 English Under-13 North Division Two season with a thumping 17-1 home defeat to Manchester Storm at Hillheads.
The Mohawks put out a very inexperienced squad compared to last season.
Six players have progressed to the under-15 Tomahawks side while several players have moved up from under-11 team the Arrows.
The Mohawks’ goal came at 04.36 courtesy of Owen Yarrow. ■■WHITLEY Tomahawks began their English Under-15 North Division Two North campaign with a narrow 5-4 reversal at Sutton Sting.
The game yielded four goals in the opening eight minutes, Jack Wilkinson firing the Tomahawks ahead at 03.30 - only for Sutton to draw level 60 seconds later. Thomas Fraser then restored Whitley’s advantage before Sutton again equalised.
For the third time in the match Tomahawks went into the lead when a Joshua Hutton shot six minutes into the middle period found the back of the net.
Sting stepped up the pressure and were denied by Bobby Campbell in the visitors’ goal before the home side equalised at 31.04.
Another two strikes in the space three minutes had the home side holding a two-goal advantage going into the final period.
The Mohawks called a time-out with six minutes left as they looked for a way back into the match. Two minutes later, Fraser’s second goal of the game cut the deficit to give them a chance of grabbing a game-tieing goal.
It failed to happen, however, as the Sting clung on for victory.
This weekend three junior teams are in action at Hillheads.
Whitley Renegades entertain neighbours Billingham Stars tomorrow (12.15) in their opening game of the season in the English Under-20 League.
Whitley Braves begin their English Under-15 North Division Two League campaign with a home fixture against Deeside Dragons on Sunday (12.30).
The Mohawks play their second match of the season on Sunday at Hillheads when Kingston Sharks are the visitors (face-off 5.15).