All Warriors fans are reminded that this Sunday sees Whitley take on local rivals Billingham Stars in what promises to be an action packed derby match. Warriors have promoted the game as a ‘Bring a Buddy’ contest, where all fans have been encouraged to bring a friend along with them who would not normally attend hockey at Hillheads.
Whitley’s first home game of the campaign saw a bumper crowd in attendance as Warriors hosted ‘Maroon Madness’, when NIHL North Champions Solway Sharks visited the north east for a challenge match at the start of September. Warriors are hopeful of attracting an even bigger crowd this Sunday evening (5pm face off) when Billingham make the short journey from Teesside to Tyneside for the first local derby of the 2013/14 campaign.
Warriors go into the game virtually at full strength as the only senior player not available to Simon Leach is the versatile Nathan Ryder, who is out of action following a shoulder operation during the close season. Youngster Callum Queenan will be hoping to impress once again after the teenage forward earned the Man of the Match award in last weekend’s superb 6-1 victory over Telford Titans in Shropshire.
Billingham look set to be missing two of their senior players as both ex-Whitley forward Paul Windridge and combative blue-liner Dave Thomas are thought to be unavailable for this game. Stars have a number of ex-Warriors in their side and it will be interesting to see the likes of Garry Dowd and Anthony Price back at the Bay, given both players wore the Maroon and Gold of Warriors as recently as last season.
Be sure to get behind Whitley tonight from the opening face off of the game.