It's in our hands: Leach

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.

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