Whitley Warriors played their last league game of the 2014/15 season on Sunday evening when their local rivals the Billingham travelled up to Tyneside for a NIHL North Division 1 encounter. Warriors were without Head Coach Simon Leach and young forward Callum Queenan who were both away with the GB under 18’s squad in Estonia.
Whitley were also without alternate captain Dean Holland who picked up a hand injury in last weekend’s victory over the Manchester Minotaurs while skipper Jamie Tinsley took to the ice for the warm up period but didn’t play in the game as he was not back to full match fitness after picking up a knock in Warriors last match up against the Solway Sharks.
Warriors went into the game with 3 forward lines, 6 blue liners and young Mark Turnbull in goal. Youngsters Connor Shanks and Joe Hall were also on the Whitley bench as cover in case of injuries.
Whitley started the game positively and took the lead 4 minutes into proceedings when Callum Watson used his speed to get away from the Stars defence and then fired a sweet shot past Mark Watson in the visitor’s goal. As the period progressed both sides were creating openings and it was Stars who grabbed the games next goal when Michael Bowman fired home after 11 minutes of action.
Billingham took the lead 3 minutes later when blue liner Thomas Keeley found the back of the Warriors net after Paul Windridge had set up the young defenceman with a precise pass. Late on in the opening period of play Whitley exerted a great deal of pressure on the Stars goal however Billingham goalie Mark Watson was able to deal with all the shots that came his way in a frantic spell of play.
Warriors drew the game level shortly into the middle session when DJ Good’s shot hit the back of the net from close range. Whitley’s flying winger Callum Watson picked up a minor slashing penalty with 25 minutes played and Stars made their man advantage count as Paul Windridge fired home around 20 seconds into Billingham’s powerplay. Both sides picked up further penalties during the remainder of the 2nd period however both defences stood firm and Billingham held a narrow 3-2 lead after 40 minutes of end to end hockey.
Dave Holland’s Warriors started the final period of play on the front foot as Whitley looked to find that crucial equalising goal and with just over 5 minutes remaining in the game DJ Good’s bullet of a shot flew into the back of the net from just inside the blue line to the delight of all the Warriors fans who had come along to Hillheads to see the final Tyne Tees derby of the season.
Seconds after the goal Warriors Martin Crammond was sent to the sin bin for a hooking misdemeanour while Whitley’s Josh Maddock and Billingham’s James Moss were both penalised for roughing after an altercation. Whitley were able to kill off the hooking penalty successfully with the likes of Dan Pye and Rob Wilson impressing on Warriors short handed specialist teams. .
With just over a minute left in the contest Billingham’s Thomas Keeley grabbed his 2nd goal of the game which edged the visitors into the lead. Warriors pressed forward in the remaining seconds of play however Whitley could not find that elusive game tieing goal as Stars Mark Watson was able to turn away shots from Dan Harris, Adam Reynolds and Callum Watson which meant Billingham took the 2 points on offer thanks to a 4-3 victory.
Warriors up and coming d man Liam Smedley who partnered Dan Pye on Warriors defensive line throughout the contest was selected as Whitley’s best player in the match up while veteran winger Paul Windridge was chosen as the Stars best performer on the night.
Warriors Points
DJ Good 2+0, Callum Watson 1+0, Daniel Harris, Kyle Ross and Paul Matthews 0+1
Stars Points
Thomas Keeley 2+0, Paul Windridge 1+1, Michael Bowman 1+0, Chris Sykes 0+3, Ben Davison, Ritchie Thornton and Luke Brown 0+1
Penalty Minutes
Warriors – 10
Stars – 10
Officials
Referee – Wardell
Linesmen – Emerson and Evans
Warriors next match ups take place over the weekend of the 11th and 12th of April when Whitley take on the Widnes Wild in the 2 legged relegation play off series. Warriors are at home for the 2nd leg on Sunday 12th April at their normal 5pm face off time for what will be Whitley’s final game of the 2014/15 NIHL North campaign.