Closing the gap

Whitley Warriors will be looking to close the gap on English National League leaders Nottingham Lions this weekend as they play a double header of away games.

They are in Coventry tonight and then travel to Blackburn on Sunday, but coach Simon Leach is confident his side can pick up the wins required to edge closer to the Lions.

“Although we will never take any opposition for granted, there is a lot more confidence in our dressing room now after six straight wins,” he said.

“Coventry tend to make life very difficult for anyone the play,” he added, “they often have five players behind the puck, look for you to make a mistake and then exploit that with a breakaway; and that was the key to their success at Hillheads in December.

“But we are playing much better ourselves now and have been very strong in defence over the last few games, while the forwards have started scoring goals again; so it really is up to us to keep our shape, get at the Blaze and put them under pressure.”

However, Leach knows it will be a much different game against Blackburn tomorrow: “They are a totally different type of team and like to come at you,” he said.

“The Hawks play a much more open style of hockey than Coventry and when we were there earlier in the month we were able to get behind their defence early in the game and were 4-0 up after only nine minutes.

“Whether they afford us the same space this time, I don’t know,” he added, “but we certainly have plenty of options in attack and as long as we can keep things tight at the back, should have enough to get the win.”

With Ally Brummitt ruled out because of work commitments and David Barrett still suffering from a knee injury, the Whitley coach was dealt another defensive blow this week when Garry Dowd was ruled out for three weeks.

“With Adam Hendry missing at Coventry while he completes his suspension, we will only have four defenders for that came,” Leach confirmed.

“However, in Ritchie Thornton, Dale Howey, Rob Wilson and Dan Harris, I have four quality players and have no worries they can do the job.

“And we will have Adam back on Sunday,” he added, “so that will give everyone that little bit extra rest for the second of the two games.”

The Warriors next home game is on January 31st, when Telford Titans will be the visitors to Hillheads.