Weekend of mixed fortunes for Warriors

WHITLEY Warriors had a busy weekend as David Longstaff’s side travelled down to Lancashire on Saturday to take on the Blackburn Hawks before a home game against Solway Sharks yesterday.

Warriors quickly took a 2-0 lead against Blackburn through Shaun Kippin and Phil Edgar strikes in their opening game of the weekend.

However Hawks took control of the game in the second period of play when they netted four unanswered goals, eventually going on to win 6-2.

Whitley were at full strength for their home game against Solway with Ryan Sample coming back into the line-up to bolster Warriors’ forward options. The first period of play saw both sides create a number of opportunities, however Richie Lawson (Whitley Warriors) and Callum Hepburn (Solway Sharks) were able to turn away all the shots that came their way.

Whitley almost broke the deadlock early in the second period when a strike from Harry Harley evaded Sharks netminder Hepburn – however referee Elliott washed the goal out for a player being in the crease.

Shortly afterwards the visitors grabbed the first goal of the game when skipper Struan Tonnar slotted home. Warriors levelled the score after 26 minutes when import Phil Edgar found the back of the net.

As the period progressed both sides were creating openings, however it was Warriors who grabbed the next goal of the contest through Dean Holland.

Seconds after the goal Warriors’ Jordan Barnes was sent to the sin bin for a holding misdemeanour. Warriors were able to kill off the penalty though and just 23 seconds after returning to the ice Barnes got on the end of a through pass from Josh Maddock and found the back of the net with a deft touch.

Warriors grabbed a further goal late on in the second period when Phil Edgar fired in his second goal of the game. Sharks’ Ross Murray and Warriors’ Jordan Barnes then came to blows after Murray had been penalised for interference on Barnes.

The third period saw Solway grab a goal back through Murray, and Warriors’ Richie Lawson produced a number of fine saves to ensure Warriors took the points on offer thanks to a 4-2 victory.

Next weekend sees the Hull Pirates visit Hillheads on Sunday evening in a game that will face off at 5pm.