Squaws Wrek Raiders’ chances of league victory
WHITLEY Bay Squaws defeated Telford Wrekin Raiders 8-3 in their Women’s Division One North League encounter at Hillheads.
It was only their third game of the season and their first since the 7-2 loss to Sheffield Shadows in January.
The visitors went ahead at 06.30 through Heather Metcalf - only for Teresa Robinson to level things up 58 seconds later.
Telford were unfortunate not to be well ahead in the opening period but due to saves from Jessica Kinghorn were kept pegged back.
The Squaws were short-handed with Sophie Newton sitting out a minor penalty when Stephanie Towns restored the lead, Robinson claiming the assist and returning the favour after she was set up by Towns for the opening goal.
Back came the visitors and they restored parity at 17.40 when Katherine Lyttle struck.
Whitley went into the first interval ahead, Robinson sending Towns clear for 3-2.
In the second session the Squaws were in no mood to allow their visitors to get back into the game and continued to put Telford under plenty of pressure.
Netminder Jodie Alderson was beaten twice as Towns struck her hattrick marker at 34.04 and Robinson netted her second 29 seconds later for a 5-2 lead.
Melissa Gough, with only 43 seconds elapsing at the start of the final period ,made it 6-2.
Three minutes later Towns netted her fourth goal of the match.
Robinson was sitting out a minor hooking penalty when Lyttle hit her second and Telford’s third at 44.45 on the powerplay.
Towns picked up her seventh point of the match when she had a hand in Close’s second of the game at 56.23 to complete the scoring.