Following Saturday’s end-to-end game against Manchester Minotaurs, Warriors Head Coach Simon Leach chose to change his squad around a little for the home game against strugglers Telford Titans. Goaltending duties were shared by youngsters Mark Turnbull and Joe Harley while the other younger members of Whitley’s squad were also given significant ice time.
Warriors played with four defensive and offensive lines and every single member of Whitley’s twenty two man squad was able to play an important part in the game. Whitley’s fourth forward line was a very youthful unit as it was made up of teenagers Ben Richards, Callum Queenan and Kyle Hindmarsh-Ross.
Whitley started the game positively and held a 3-0 lead by 3 minutes of play thanks to goals from Mark Good, DJ Good and Daniel Murdy. Telford managed to then regroup though as Titans defence were able to restrict Warriors’ goalscoring opportunities until the 11th minute when Jamie Tinsley netted a short handed marker after being superbly set up by Karl Culley and Christian Johnson.
Telford continued to stifle Whitley in the opening stages of the middle session until a powerplay opportunity saw Daniel Murdy fire home Warriors fifth goal of the game after 29 minutes of action, with Martin Crammond and Callum Watson assisting. Warriors made it 6-0 two minutes later when DJ Good found the back of the net after neat build up play from Mark Good and Callum Watson.
It was not completely one way traffic though as Titans got on the scoresheet themselves on 32 minutes when youngster Paul Rigby lit the lamp following some impressive stick handling from teammate Matthew Price. Rigby, alongside Paul Davies, looked to be Telford’s most threatening players going forward however neither was ever really able to get on top of Warriors’ defence.
Whitley went on to net another two goals by the end of the second period through Jordan Barnes and Callum Watson efforts which saw Warriors hold a commanding 8-1 lead after 40 minutes of action.
The third period saw Warriors overrun a tiring Titans line up as they netted a further five goals through DJ Good, Karl Culley, Mark Good and a Ben Richards double which saw the game end 13-1 in Whitley’s favour. Callum Queenan and Kyle Hindmarsh-Ross both picked up their first ever Warriors points when both players assisted on Warriors thirteenth goal of the night which was put away by Ben Richards as Whitley’s youngest forward unit got the better of Telford’s defence on 52 minutes.
DJ Good was chosen as Warriors’ best player on the night for his superb 4 (3+1) point haul while Titans netminder Elliott Foley was selected as Telford’s top player despite conceding 13 goals which demonstrates just how many chances Warriors created throughout the contest.
Warriors Coach Simon Leach gave his views on Sunday evening’s game.
“The Telford game was an opportunity to give some of the younger guys some valuable ice time. We played four lines all night and give the kids opportunities on the penalty kill and powerplay as well.
“Telford never gave up and they kept fighting till the end but we’ve just got to come out and play as we are supposed to. We’ve got a break again now as we’ve no games next weekend which isn’t ideal but at least it gives Ryan Sample a chance of being fit for our next match up.”
Warriors’ next fixture is a NIHL North Moralee Conference match up against Sutton Sting at home at Hillheads on the 20th October (face off 5pm) in what should be a great contest between two of the top sides in NIHL North. Whitley fans are reminded to check whitleywarriors.net for all the latest news on all things Warriors.