Whitley Warriors travelled to the north west to take on the Widnes Wild on Saturday evening. Warriors were almost at full strength with only Richie Lawson and Rob Wilson unable to take to the ice for Simon Leach’s side.
Just 80 seconds into the game Dan Harris was penalised for delaying the game however Warriors short handed unit came up with the game’s first goal when Adam Reynolds fired home after 3 minutes of play. As the first period progressed both sides were creating chances however it was Warriors whose finishing was clinical and Whitley led 4-0 after the opening stanza of action which saw skipper Jamie Tinsley claim a hatrick in only 7 minutes.
Warriors continued to pressure the Wild defence in the opening stages of the 2nd period and were able to grab another 2 goals through a further strike by Jamie Tinsley and a nicely worked goal from Harry Harley. Widnes opted to change their netminder at this point with Greg Ruxton replacing former Manchester Minotaurs goaltender Nicole Jackson in the home sides net.
Wild got on the scoresheet themselves seconds later when Bobby Caunce fired home to the delight of the noisy Widnes fans. Warriors were still looking dangerous though and Adam Reynolds grabbed Warriors 7th of the game when he lit the lamp with 24 minutes played with Dean Holland and Liam Smedley picking up assists.
Widnes did not let their heads drop though and Wild got their 2nd goal of the game around 90 seconds later when Shaun Dipnall got the better of Mark Turnbull in the Warriors goal. Whitley held an 8-2 lead after 40 minutes of hockey as Martin Crammond grabbed a marker for Warriors late on in the middle period of play.
Warriors were presented with their first power play opportunity of the game midway through the final session of play and Whitley made their man advantage count when Ben Richards grabbed a close range marker after being set up precisely by Dean Holland and Alex Lawson.
The game’s final goal came with less than 3 minutes remaining in the contest when a deflected effort from Bez Hughes saw Wild claim their 3rd goal of an entertaining game.
Warriors man of the match went to Jamie Tinsley for his 4 goal haul with back up netminder Greg Buxton being adjudged the homes sides best player given he saved 39 out of the 42 shots that he faced once he took to the ice .
Whitley face Widnes again this evening in the 2nd leg of the promotion/relegation play off tie. Face off is at 5pm and Warriors are hopeful of a large attendance for what is their final game of the 2014/5 season.