2010-02-27 12:56:05
Whitley Warriors host Coventry ENL Blaze tomorrow night (face-off 6.30pm) in a must-win English National League game if the title is to come back to Hillheads.The equations is simple, win their last four remaining games to lift the trophy and Warriors coach Simon Leach has made sure in training this week his players know exactly what is required.“We were given a chance when Nottingham could only draw 4-4 in Coventry last weekend, so now we have the opportunity to capitalize on that; starting tomorrow.”Following the game against the Blaze, Whitley head off to Manchester next Saturday before hosting current league leaders Nottingham Lions on March 7; and victory in those three games would leave the Warriors needing a home win over a Kingston Jets side that will almost certainly, have been relegated by then.“It’s in our hands, but we know one slip would hand the initiative back to the Lions. So we have to get off on the right foot tomorrow against a Blaze outfit that has a good record at Hillheads,” continued Leach.“They are always well prepared and like to set themselves up with a solid defensive base before catching the opposition on the break, so the longer it stays tight the better it is for them.“What we need to do is score a couple of early goals would force them to play a game that is alien to them,” he added.“Our form at Hillheads has been pretty good of late and we probably owe Coventry one after we let ourselves down the last time they visited.”A major boost for the Warriors ahead of this crucial game is that the coach will have both Bryan Dunn and Nathan Taylor available after missing the last few matches through injury, while Shaun Kippin is also back in the side after sitting out against Fife last Sunday.“Only Andrew Tindale is unavailable this weekend, so I will be able to throw four lines on the ice and hopefully wear down the opposition.”Whitley are also in action tonight when they complete their Northern League programme away to Fife Flyers, but Leach is planning on resting some of his players.“Bryan and Nathan will certainly play, because they need the ice time after their lay off, but Dale Howey, Ritchie Thornton and Paul Windridge will all sit out,” he confirmed.“Once again I will use a Northern league game to give some of the younger lads a run out, so the likes of Ben Davison and Josh Maddock can expect to log some ice time, while Liam McAllister will start in goal.”Tickets for the Coventry game will be available on the door tomorrow night, priced at £7 for adults and £5 for children and concessions; with the doors opening at 6.00pm and Leach is looking for a good turn-out.“We have reached that stage of the season when everything is crucial and having the backing of a big Whitley support can only help the players,” he said.Got something to say? Say it on our official Whitley Warriors message boards.
2010-02-22 14:36:33
Despite dominating the game for long spells last night, Whitley Warriors were edged out by Fife Flyers in their last Northern League game of the season at Hillheads, but afterwards coach Simon Leach was full of praise for everyone involved in the game.“I think you have to give credit to both teams for the way they went about the game tonight,” he said, “and also the officials, who let the match flow and didn’t see the need to call one penalty.“As well as the two teams, they were outstanding tonight and it makes a big difference when two sides that can play hockey the way Whitley and Fife do, are allowed to do so; and the result was we got a game that entertained the fans for the whole 60 minutes.”After going a goal behind inside the opening minute of the game, the Warriors responded in the best possible way and bettered the Fife defence for much of the next 60 minutes.“Last time they were here we did exactly the same and never recovered,” admitted Leach, “but tonight my team rolled up their sleeves after that early setback and can count themselves very unfortunate to be the side that lost such a good game.“It was disappointing to lose to a goal three minutes from time, when the sudden death period looked certain, but at the time there was probably about eight players around the Whitley net and we just couldn’t clear the puck.“However, we have nothing to be ashamed of because we have played with good momentum for the entire 60 minutes and worked very hard,” the coach added, “now we need to take exactly the same attitude into our English National League clash with Coventry Blaze at Hillheads next Sunday when we chase the two points that could bring us a step closer to landing that title.”The Warriors ENL title hopes received a boost on Saturday night when Coventry scored twice in the last 10 minutes at home to league leaders Nottingham Lions to forced a draw and that now means Whitley have their destiny back in their own hands.“I felt all along there was another twist in the tale before the league title was decided,” said Leach, “and I’m not really surprised that Coventry managed to take a point off Nottingham as they showed the previous week against us how dangerous they can be.“But that does swing things slightly our way again and all we can do is win the next couple of game to set up a potential decider with the Lions when they visit our rink in a couple of weeks time.”Ryan Sample was the Whitley scorer last night, his rising shot in the last minute of the first period equalising the Flyers early opener and owed much to some superb one-touch passing from Andrew Tindale and Mark Good that carved open the visitors defence and presented Sample with his chance.Got something to say? Say it here - Official Whitley Warriors message boards.
2010-02-19 16:00:48
Whitley Warriors host Fife Flyers at Hillheads on sunday (face-off 6.30pm) and could, depending on the result of the Flyers v Solway Sharks clash this evening, have a say in who wins the 2009/10 Northern League title.Having beaten the Dumfries based Sharks 3-0 in Kirkcaldy last weekend, Fife play hosts to their title rivals again tonight and need to gain victory in 60 minutes to continue their challenge at Hillheads; however even a point from an overtime defeat would be good enough to see Solway retain the title.“It doesn’t affect our league position either way,” said Warriors coach Simon Leach ahead of the clash with Fife, “but it would certainly add a little more spice to the game if they came to Hillheads needing the win. “However, whatever the result tonight, I would still expect both sides to give their all tomorrow,” he added.“Fife Flyers are a side that just don’t play any other way other than to win and for our part we need to keep our momentum going, in this game and when we travel to Kirkcaldy next Saturday, for the run-in to the English National League title race with Nottingham.“There is also the chance that Whitley and Fife could meet in the Northern League Play-Off semi-final - or final - and with neither side wanting to go into that possible game on the back of a defeat, I expect both matches to be keenly contested.”The Warriors look to be unchanged from the side that beat Blackburn 11-3 last Sunday, Leach admitting that neither Rob Wilson or Bryan Dunn is ready to return, so that means the coach lining up with Paul Windridge and Adam Reynolds again this weekend.“I thought we linked up pretty well, as did all the lines, but this is another opportunity for us to get an understanding,” he said.Meanwhile, the Whitley player/coach collected his 400th assist for the Warriors in that win over Blackburn and was pretty pleased afterwards.“You don’t go chasing records so much at my age,” he confessed, “but to be put in the same bracket as John Iredale and Scott Morrison (the only two other players to achieved that milestone for Whitley since the modern era of the sport began in 1984) is a very special moment for me.”Leach will be keeping an eye on events at the Coventry Skydome tonight and be looking for the Blaze to help the Warriors ENL title hopes.“They are a difficult side to beat at home and I’m sure Nottingham will not be relishing their visit,” he said.“We have drawn their twice this season and Nottingham also drew in their previous game, so we will be looking for a similar result tonight to put our destiny back in our own hands.”The Northern League Play-Off weekend has now been confirmed for the weekend of March 13/14 - with the Dumfries Ice Bowl the venue - and should guarantee the Warriors plenty of support, as that has proved to be the most popular away trip for Whitley fans in recent seasons.You have have your say about this on our messageboards.
2010-02-16 20:27:51
Whitley Warriors’ remaining Northern League games against Dundee Stars, due to be played Saturday 20 February at Dundee Ice Arena and Saturday 13 March at Whitley Bay Ice Rink, have been cancelled.Whitley have been unable to re-schedule their remaining home fixture against the Stars before the Northern League Finals weekend, due to take place in Dumfries on the preferred weekend of 13/14 March, and following Solways’ win against the Stars on Saturday 13th February, the clubs have agreed to cancel both games and share the points. The result of these games will have no impact on the outcome of the league and both teams will compete in the play-offs.Paisley Pirates' remaining 2 Northern League home games against Solway and Dundee will also not be played and have been awarded as away wins.Have your say here on our discussion forums.
2010-02-15 10:24:06
Whitley Warriors produced their best home performance of the season so far in the English National League last night to demolish relegation threatened Blackburn Hawks 11-3, but after dropping an away point against Coventry the night before, the Hillheads club still trail league leaders Nottingham.A second successive tie on the road leaves Whitley three points behind the Lions, although Nottingham still have to come to Hillheads, meaning they need to drop another point somewhere for the Warriors to claim the title.“Obviously we were disappointed not to win in Coventry, but I’ve maintained all along there will be twists and turns in this title race before the end; and I’m sure there will be more yet,” said Warriors coach Simon Leach after last night’s victory over Blackburn.“Just a few weeks ago Nottingham were 12 points ahead of us and now that gap is down to three, so the pressure is on them in much the same way it was on us at the same stage last season; so who knows what the next few weeks will bring.”Whitley drew 4-4 in Coventry on Saturday, but trailed by three goals with 10 minutes remaining, so Leach was pleased they at least got a point.“We paid for a poor second period performance and gave some bad goals up,” he confessed. “To be a goal ahead at the first break and then concede three in the middle session was unacceptable. But after I was responsible for them going 4-1 ahead, we showed good spirit to come back and totally dominated the last twenty minutes.”Josh Bruce had completed his hat trick early in the last session, but goals from Karl Culley, Shaun Kippin and Dan Harris brought them level before the end of a period that saw Whitley fire 37 shots at the home goal.Last night the Warriors were on top from the very first whistle and never gave a Blackburn side that lost an 11 goal thriller the last time they visited Hillheads the chance to get a foot hold in the game at all.“Apart from a six minute spell in the second session when they managed to score twice, we were in total control of this game,” said the Whitley coach.“Our game plan tonight was to come out hard and put pressure on them right from the start, which we did perfectly; and I thought we moved the puck around the ice really well at times, scoring some really good goals.“To be honest we probably should have had more than eleven, but everyone worked hard for each other and I was pleased with the way we went about our business.”Dale Howey was the only Whitley player to score twice, with man of the match Paul Windridge contributing 1+3.Simon Leach picked up an assist on the Warriors opening goal of the night and that was his 400th for the club; a mark only bettered by former team-mates John Iredale and Scott Morrison in the modern era of British ice hockey at Hillheads.Have your say and see what other people are saying on our discussion forums by clicking here.
Sat
13/03 -
7:30pm
