Sam Zajac. Photo by IceHockeyMedia
Whitley Warriors travelled down to Humberside to face the Hull Pirates on Sunday evening in a NIHL North Division 1 fixture. Warriors were able to name recent signing Sam Zajac in their line up however Whitley were without a number of influential players such as Daniel Pye, Martin Crammond, Adam Finlinson, Mark Turnbull and Harry Harley.
Hull were able to take the lead 4 minutes into proceedings when their alternate captain Sam Towner found the back of the net to break the deadlock. Pirates increased their lead with a goal each from James Archer and Matty Davies before the end of the 1st period of play which saw Jason Hewitt’s side hold a 3-0 advantage after 20 minutes of hockey.
The middle session of play saw the home side net a further 4 goals with 2 of their strikes being short handed markers netted by the former GB international Matty Davies with Aaron Lyon and Bobby Chamberlain also on target for the Pirates. Chamberlain then grabbed a further goal for Hull at the start of the 3rd to make it 8-0 to the Pirates.
Warriors winger Callum Watson dropped the gloves with Hull’s Lee Haywood shortly afterwards, the referee on duty Andrew Miller gave both players 4 minutes in penalties for fighting. Pirates went onto net a further 3 goals during the remainder of the contest which saw the final score end 11-0 to the hosts after 60 minutes of play.
Whitley now have some time away from competitive action over the festive period as Warriors next games come on the weekend of the 6th/7th January when David Longstaff’s side head to Solway for a game with the Sharks on the Saturday evening before a match up on home ice the following day against the Solihull Barons.