Whitley Warriors travelled across the border to face the Solway Sharks in Dumfries on Saturday evening. Warriors were captained by Jamie Tinsley who came back into the side after missing Whitley’s last match up. Whitley were without 3 experienced players though as senior goaltender Richie Lawson, veteran d man Paul Matthews and power forward Jordan Barnes were all unable to ice due to injuries.
Solway started the game on the front foot and the Sharks took the lead after 6 minutes of play when import forward Pavol Melichercik fired past Mark Turnbull in Warriors goal. The home side led 2-0 after the 1st period of play as youngster Duncan Speirs also found the back of the net for Sharks in the opening stanza of action.
Sharks extended their lead further 5 minutes into the middle period when blue liner Frazer Goldie fired home however Warriors were creating plenty of their chances and Alex Lawson grabbed Whitley’s first goal of the game with 28 minutes on the clock. There were further goals in the 2nd period as Ross Murray netted another marker for Solway while Harry Harley was on target for Warriors.
Warriors were creating a great number of chances in the final period of play however it was Solway who grabbed the first goal of the 3rd period when Rick Bentham was able to fire home a short handed effort after 52 minutes of hockey. Warriors were rewarded for their attacking efforts just over a minute later when Jamie Tinsley was able to light the lamp after the Whitley skipper had been nicely set up by Adam Reynolds.
Warriors looked for a way back into the game late on as Head Coach Simon Leach took a time out to outline tactics and also opted to go with 6 outskaters however Whitley just could not add to their goals tally and Solway took the 2 points on offer thanks to a 5-3 scoreline.
Warriors experienced forward Adam Reynolds was chosen as Whitley’s best player during the game while Sharks nippy winger Stevie Moore was selected as Sharks most impressive player on the night.