This weekend sees Warriors face off against NIHL North Champions Solway Sharks in a Moralee Conference encounter. The two sides have already met twice this season but those games were challenge contests as both sides prepared for the current campaign, which makes Sunday Conference clash the first competitive game between Whitley and Solway this campaign.
Warriors currently sit third in the standings with a total of 12 points from the 8 games they have played to date. Sharks sit one place above Warriors in the table with 14 points from the same number of games. Both sides have only lost once in the Conference – Warriors away from home in Sheffield, while Solway lost on Teesside against Billingham Stars.
Whitley go into this weekend’s game with no injury concerns following the 6-1 victory over Manchester Minotaurs last Sunday, and Warriors recent signing Ryan Sample should make his third appearance following his return to action. Sample picked up an assist and dropped the gloves during the Minotaurs match last weekend and he could well be heavily involved once the puck drops against the Sharks.
Whitley skipper DJ Good shared his thoughts on this weekend’s match up.
“It’s the biggest game of the season so far. Solway are a top team and the team to beat. If we want to win the league then we must be looking to win on Sunday.
“We’ve trained well this week and have a full squad for the game. These are the games I get up for the most and it should be a really good game and hopefully there will be a big crowd and a loud atmosphere.”
Supporters are reminded that Sunday’s game faces off at 5pm, with doors opening half an hour earlier at 4.30pm. Warriors’ match night programme this weekend includes an interview with speedy winger Callum Watson, Simon Leach’s thoughts going into the game, a look at the Sharks roster and all the usual features including statistics and the hockey quiz and is still priced at £2.