The recently returned Adam Reynolds proved to be the match winner on Saturday evening as the former Sharks forward came back to haunt his old team and lift Whitley Warriors to a narrow 2-1 victory in Dumfries following a compelling 60 minutes of hard-fought hockey.
Playing in only his third game since deciding to make a comeback and rejoining David Longstaff’’s high flying Warriors, Reynolds repaid the faith shown in him by sinking Solway with a goal early in the third period, helping to avenge the 4-2 road loss suffered at the Shark Tank back in October.
Both sides had come into the game full of confidence, with Solway having upset reigning champions and current league leaders Blackburn Hawks 5-3 on home ice last weekend and Warriors looking to continue the outstanding form that saw Telford Tigers demolished 9-1 at Hillheads six days earlier.
Whitley travelled to Dumfries with a strong pool of 22 available for selection and were boosted by the return of young forward Callum Queenan who had been unavailable for selection last Sunday evening. Richie Lawson was tasked with being the last line of defence against a potent Solway Sharks forward line including experienced Slovakian forward Martin Cingel and rising star Duncan Spiers.
Cheered on by a fantastic vocal away following, it was the away side who hit the front early on. With 5:02 on the clock, Warriors player/coach David Longstaff notched his 12th marker of a very productive season thus far, beating Kieran Hobbins in the Solway goal having been assisted by Jordan Barnes.
Despite being ahead on the scoreboard, Warriors weren’t having things all their own way and had to rely on their penalty killing unit to successfully nullify the Sharks’ man advantage whilst captain Jamie Tinsley was sat serving a two minute penalty for hooking after 10:02 of play.
Trailing by one after the opening period, Solway looked to come out and raise their game in the second but both sides proved tough opponents and difficult to break down. That was until Richie Lawson was finally beaten just past the half way mark in the contest, Iain Bowie restoring parity following good work from Coulter and Fulton.
An enthralling contest headed into a final period battle locked at 1-1 but nobody could have expected that the decisive knockout blow would be landed just 28 seconds into the third. With Warriors starting fast and Solway’s concentration still not back up to speed, Adam Reynolds made the most of his opportunity to be the hero and grabbed it with both hands, lighting the lamp at 40:28 assisted by Dean Holland.
Try as they may to find a route to goal, the Sharks’ early 3rd period slip would ultimately cost them dearly and despite coach Martin Grubb choosing to pull netminder Hobbins for the extra skater with 30 seconds remaining, the Warriors’ defence stood firm for a hard fought 2-1 road victory.
Warriors are in NIHL North Moralee Conference action this Sunday 24th January 2016 when Sheffield Spartans visit Hillheads for what should be another engrossing 60 minutes of NIHL North hockey. Face off is 5.00pm.
STATS
Warriors – David Longstaff 1+0, Adam Reynolds 1+0, Jordan Barnes 0+1, Dean Holland 0+1
Sharks – Iain Bowie 1+0, Joe Coulter 0+1, Aidan Fulton 0+1
SHOTS ON GOAL
Warriors – 37
Sharks – 31
PIM
Warriors – 4
Sharks – 2
OFFICIALS
Referee – Emerson
Referee – Evans