David Longstaff. Photo by IceHockeyMedia.
Whitley Warriors took on Solihull Barons in the last semi final at Ice Sheffield on Saturday of the NIHL North play off final weekend. Warriors had a strong roster of players to choose from with Callum Queenan coming back into the squad after a spell sidelined due to injury which enabled Whitley to ice up to four forward lines during the contest.
Warriors started the game on the front foot and had an early goal from Harry Harley disallowed for a player in the crease by referee Emerson. Harley soon got his name on the score sheet though when he fired home after 6 minutes of action.
Whitley continued to create openings as DJ Good went close minutes later after he had been set up nicely by player/coach David Longstaff. At the other end of the ice netminder Richie Lawson made several fine stops to ensure the Barons were unable to get on the scoresheet in the opening stanza of action.
The middle period of play saw Warriors go on the penalty kill early on and Solihull took advantage when Thomas Soar fired home to level up the scores. Barons were creating a number of openings and Perry Doyle’s side took the lead on 36 minutes when Soar grabbed his 2nd goal of the game with a sweet strike. Warriors then replaced injured netminder Richie Lawson with youngster Mark Turnbull.
It took Whitley under a minute to level the scores when young winger Ben Richards scored from close range following a scramble in front of the Barons goal. Richards had been lively throughout the game and his goal was just reward for all the endeavour and perseverance he had shown.
With the sides tied at 2-2 the game was intriguingly poised with 20 minutes of time remaining in the contest. Solihull were the next team on the scoresheet when the impressive Thomas Soar netted precisely to claim a memorable hatrick for the Barons forward.
Warriors regrouped quickly though and Callum Watson netted a superb wraparound goal just over minute later when his shot had too much power and precision for Solihull netminder Hewitt.
Warriors looked to have regained their initiative however Barons managed to regain the lead just 2 minutes later when Soar netted his 4th goal of the game. Warriors gave everything they had to find a way back into the match up however Whitley could just not find that elusive equalising goal and late in proceedings Solihull sealed their victory when Josh Bruce netted the Barons’ 5th of the evening.
Ben Richards was selected as Warriors’ Man of the Match for an energetic display up front in front of the large travelling support from the North East. Soar was selected as Barons’ Man of the Match for his goalscoring exploits.
Barons will now meet Blackburn Hawks in the play off final on Sunday afternoon after Hawks came out on top against Solway Sharks in the other semi final by a 5-2 scoreline earlier in the day.
Warriors momentous 2015/16 season has now come to an end however I’m sure all supporters will have fond memories of David Longstaff’s first season back on Tyneside as Whitley finished runners up in Division 1 and comfortably qualified for the end of season play offs.