Whitley Warriors have a double header of games this weekend as David Longstaff’s side head north to Dumfries to face the Solway Sharks on Saturday night (face off 7pm) before returning to the north east for a home game against local rivals the Billingham Stars on Sunday evening (face off 5pm) at Hillheads.
Warriors look set to be without experienced d man Dan Pye for this weekend’s game due to a recent injury he suffered while Dean Holland, Alex Lawson and Craig Johnson are all still ruled out due to long term injuries. Import Andre Payette is set to miss the trip across the border due to suspension after he was ejected from lack weekend’s match up against the Sutton Sting however the popular Canadian is expected to be back in the Warriors line up for Sunday’s game against the Stars.
Whitley have also been able to add the experienced winger Alan Yarrow to their squad and it is envisaged that he will be available for selection for both of this weekend’s games. Yarrow who is 41 years old has iced for Warriors in the past as he has worn the maroon and gold in both the nineties and noughties and he looks to be a solid addition to the clubs roster.
Warriors clash with the Billingham Stars on Sunday evening is the first Tyne-Tees derby of the 2015/16 campaign. Whitley go into the game in superb form as Warriors are unbeaten in their opening 7 league games of the campaign winning 6 and drawing 1 of their competitive match ups.
Stars have been in mixed from so far this term as Billingham have won 3 and lost 5 of their 8 NIHL North games this campaign. Billingham do have 2 away victories already this season though as the Teessiders have tasted success at both Solway and Sheffield when they got the better of both the Sharks and Senators respectively.
Tickets for Sunday’s game are priced at £8.50 for adults and £6.50 for children while a family ticket that admits 2 adults and 2 children can be bought for just £24. It would be great to see a huge crowd at Hillheads on Sunday evening for what will no doubt be one of the most competitive games of the NIHL North campaign. Warriors match night programme this weekend includes and in depth interview with winger Martin Crammond as well as all the usual features, round ups, statistics and hockey quiz.