Whitley Warriors are set to open 2014 with an action packed weekend as Simon Leach’s side get back onto the ice with a double header of games after a brief break from competitive action over the Christmas and New Year period. Warriors travel to Lancashire to take on the Blackburn Hawks on Saturday evening before facing the current league leaders the Solway Sharks at Hillheads the following night.
Warriors should have a strong squad of players at their disposal as Whitley have no new injury worries following the Christmas break and the hard working centreman Jamie Tinsley will come back into contention after missing Warriors last competitive match up against the Sheffield Spartans late in 2013.
There is competition for places throughout Warriors squad and teenage netminder Mark Turnbull is battling with the clubs senior goaltender Richie Lawson for the starting spot in the team at this moment in time. Mark made his full senior debut in the home game against Blackburn in December and put in a superb display against the in form Hawks.
Mark then started the following game against Sutton and once again the youngster pulled out a number of top saves against Sting’s experienced offense. Warriors Coach Simon Leach then opted to take the young goalie out of the spot light and play Richie Lawson in nets against Sheffield just before Christmas and it appears that the 2 goaltenders will continue to battle it out for the starting spot throughout 2014.
It also has to be remembered that Warriors have another netminder in their squad in Joe Harley which just goes to demonstrate how much strength in depth there currently is Warriors well rounded squad of players.
Whitley Coach Simon Leach gave his views on the battle for the number 1 goaltending spot in his side and briefly mentioned his sides start to 2014.
“Richie came back in for the Sheffield game but Mark’s been playing really well and we’ve now got the situation where Mark is more than capable of stepping in and playing well. Richie is our senior goalie but Mark is pushing him and we’ve also got Joe Harley in the mix as well.
“Competition for places is high and we’ve got to look at the whole situation and if one guy is going to take over the number 1 spot then we’ll see who that is going to be once the games get back underway. Everyone’s hungry to secure a position and Mark is pushing hard and Richie has got a fight on his hands to keep a hold of his spot in the team.
“We’ve got a tough start to the New Year as we face Blackburn and Solway but we’ll be ready to go and start the New Year with some confidence.”
Warriors supporters are encouraged to come down to Hillheads on Sunday evening (face off 5pm)when current NIHL North Champions Solway Sharks visit Tyneside for the final time in the 2013/14 campaign. Solway currently lead the league standings however Sharks suffered league and cup defeats last weekend so Warriors will be looking to claim a victory of their own against Solway on Sunday evening.