2012-04-02 12:05:28
Whitley Warriors two year grip on the English National league play-off title ended last night when they failed to overcome Blackburn Hawks in the two-legged semi-final.Trailing 5-3 after the first leg in Lancashire on Saturday – Whitley had been 5-1 down at the first break after making a poor start – hopes would have been high that they could overcome the deficit at Hillheads last night.However, it was to be the visitors who again had the better of the opening period and goals from Tom King and Richard Hughes put the Hawks in the driving seat.“Hats off to Blackburn, they have done very well since the turn of the year and I knew it would be a tough weekend for us,” admitted Whitley coach Garry Dowd after last night’s 6-4 defeat.“They came out all guns blazing in the first period on Saturday and deserved their 5-1 lead, but I have to credit my players for the way they came back to score the only other two goals that night and give themselves a chance in the second game.“But, even though I thought we started well tonight, once the Hawks scored somewhat against the run of play that set us back a bit,” he added, “and we then got involved in some stuff we shouldn’t have, which handed the initiative to them.”Despite being 3-0 down on the night, Whitley gave themselves – and their fans – some hope when DJ Good and Jordan Barnes scored just seven seconds apart to reduce the arrears, but crucially the Hawks then scored in the last minute of the middle period to give themselves some breathing space.“I certainly couldn’t fault the effort of my players tonight, “continued Dowd, “but every time we got ourselves in contention, they (Blackburn) seemed to be able to find another goal from somewhere and we were never able to put them under as much pressure as I would have liked.”However, even though Whitley will end the season trophy-less for the first time in three seasons, Dowd still feels it has been a good campaign for the club.“It’s my rookie season as coach and maybe someone with more experience might have been able to make a call that would have changed the game,” he confessed, “but we are where we are and I thought it was a good effort from everyone.“When I took over we had just lost ten players from our championship winning side and the main aim was to stabalise the club, so to finish where we have done in the league has been an achievement for the players we have now and we have also unearthed some good young talent as well; which has pleased me immensely.”The Warriors were without Martin Crammond at the weekend as the forward had a groin operation a few days earlier and Dowd is looking forward to having him back next season.“We all wish Martin well and hope he is back on the ice soon and raring to go once the new season gets underway,” he said.Blackburn will now go on to meet the winner of next weekend’s semi-final between Billingham Stars and Telford Titans; the outcome of which will decide when the Warriors play Billingham in their outstanding English Cup fixture.Should the Stars win through the game is likely to be held on April 22nd, but if Telford are successful the match will probably take place a week earlier on April 15.
2012-03-31 10:16:58
Whitley Warriors travel to Blackburn Hawks for the first leg of their English National League play-off semi-final today with coach Garry Dowd admitting there are doubts over several players ahead of the game.“Kevin Bucas will be missing from our defence for the game tonight because of work, while Rob Wilson has been suffering from a virus all week and Josh Maddock will not know until the last minute whether he can make it, so we look like being down to just four available defenders this evening,” said Dowd.“And you can add in the fact the netminder Ritchie Lawson is still suffering from the back injury that ruled him out of the defeat in Solihull last Sunday; so you can see we are having problems.“However, the good news,” he added, “is that apart from Harry Harley - who is away with the GB Under 18 squad - I have a full compliment of forwards available.”And Dowd admits that could affect his thinking in the away leg of the tie tonight especially: “It’s possible we might have to change our tactics slightly,” he said.“To help give the lads at the back a bit of a rest, I will be looking for the forwards – and centres especially – to be prepared to do a little more back-checking than normal, but with plenty of options up front and as short a shifts as we can manage, it should not be too much of a problem.”Being the most successful northern side in the play-offs and having won the trophy for last two seasons, Dowd is keen to see the Warriors complete a hat trick.“It’s a competition that we always seem to do well in and the players always rise to the big occasion,” he admitted, “so I’m sure we will go out there and try to win the first leg, but just as important is to bring a result back to Hillheads that gives us an opportunity to progress to another final.”Tickets for the second leg of the play-off semi-final with Blackburn tomorrow are available on the night, priced at Adults £7.50, Under 16’s & Concessions £5.50, while a Family Ticket is available for £22.The action gets underway at 5.00pm, with the doors set to open 30 minutes before face-off.
2012-03-26 13:51:02
It was a depleted Whitley Warriors squad that made the journey down to Birmingham to face already relegated Solihull Barons for the final league game of the season last night, but with several players carrying a variety of minor injuries coach Garry Dowd did not want to take any chances with their fitness ahead of the ENL play-off semi-final against Blackburn Hawks next weekend.“We only had 13 skaters and were without our number one keeper,” said Dowd after the game, “so really, although you never want to lose, it was more about completing the fixtures and making sure no-one picked up an injury.“But to be fair to Solihull, they were really up for the game and wanted to make sure they finished on a high in front of their own fans after a disappointing season,” he added, “and if they had shown the same commitment all season that they did tonight, I doubt the Barons would be in the position they are now.”Against a side with eight more players on their bench, the Warriors were always going to be up against it, but Dowd was pleased his side remained competitive for the full 60 minutes.“We worked hard and maybe didn’t get the breaks,” he said, “but even though we lacked the intensity that would have been apparent if we had needed the points to confirm our final league position, I couldn’t fault the effort from everyone.”DJ Good had put Whitley in front early in the first period, only to see Slovakian forward Erik Bakalar score his 100th goal for the home side before the break.The Warriors went in front again courtesy of a Christian Johnson goal at 26.37, but Solihull hit back to edge in front by the 34th minute on markers from Robert Eley and Richard Slater; and with neither side able to score in the final session that proved good enough to take the win.Whitley now look forward to a two-legged play-off semi-final with Blackburn Hawks next weekend, with the second game at Hillheads on Sunday (face-off 5.00pm).“I expect everyone to be available for the weekend,” said Dowd, “no-one has an injury that will keep him out and in most cases they could have played against Solihull, but we just didn’t see the need to take the risk.”
2012-03-24 11:54:17
Whitley Warriors have confirmed that there English National League play-off semi-final with Blackburn Hawks will take place next weekend with the first leg in Lancashire on the Saturday night, before the ties is concluded at Hillheads on April 1.Billingham Stars and Telford Titans contest the other semi-final, but that tie will not be played until Easter weekend.However, before thinking about the clash with Blackburn and a chance to win the play-off title for a 3rd consecutive season, the Warriors have to finish their league programme and they do that at already relegated Solihull Barons tomorrow.With player/coach Garry Dowd still suffering from the virus that forced him off the ice half way through the home game with Sheffield last Sunday, Kevin Bucas has been taking training this week and wants to complete the regular season with a win.“Whatever the result, it isn’t going to affect our league position,” he said, “but we certainly don’t want to end the campaign with a defeat and will be looking at the game as an opportunity to fine tune some of our plays ahead of the Blackburn fixtures.“But we know it won’t be easy,” added the Warriors assistant coach, “Solihull may be relegated, but some of their performances this season have been much better than that of a bottom placed side and I’m sure they will want to go out on a high in front of their own fans.”Whitley have some injury concerns ahead of the game, with Rob Wilson suffering with the same virus that has stricken his coach, while Dean Holland picked up a shoulder injury in the 8-7 win over Sheffield and Shaun Kippin is also doubtful.“Right now I’m not sure what side we will put out,” admitted Bucas, “but I know that whoever eventually makes the trip, they will do all they can to make sure it’s a good journey home.“And we are hopeful Garry will be there with us,” he continued, “whether it is on a playing capacity, or just as coach, I expect he will be on the bench at Solihull.”
2012-03-23 13:10:11
Whitley Warriors ENL Playoff fixtures have been announced, the Warriors will face Blackburn Hawks what is expected to be a great double header.The Warriors will travel to Blackburn on Saturday 31st March for the 1st leg, face off is 5.45pm.The second leg played the following day (1st April) will see the Hawks make the trip up to Hillheads for a 5.00pm faceoff.So far this season the teams have met 6 times and the points shared with 3 wins each.Blackburn came out on top in the first two meetings, with the Warriors winning the next. Hawks then won the 4th game before the Warriors defeated the Hawks in the last 2 games between the sides setting up what should be a hard fought playoff contest between two fierce rivals.Visit the full fixture list.
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