Whitley Warriors 14, Flintshire Freeze 2

Dec 24 2007 by David Hall, The Journal

THE Warriors cruised to a crucial English National League victory against Flintshire last night, despite the visitors taking an early lead through Bobby Caunce, and they now look set for a straight fight with Nottingham Lions for the title.

Skipper Adam Henry levelled for Whitley in the 12th minute and strikes from Sam Zajac and Nathan Salem gave the home side a 3-1 lead at the first break. However, they probably ensured the points in the first two minutes of the middle period when three home goals forced the visitors to call a time-out.

Even though Steve Elliott did pull one back for the Freeze soon after the restart, goals from brothers Ryan and Paul Sample eased the Warriors further in front.

The final period saw the home side almost double their tally as both Nathan Salem and Karl Culley completed hat-tricks. And they rounded the night of with a pair of late short-handed goals.

WHITLEY WARRIORS: Salem 4+1, Culley 3+0, R Sample 2+2, S Zajac, Hendry and M Good 1+2, D Murdy 1+1, P Sample 1+0, D Good and Tindale 0+2, Watson, P Zajac, Barratt and Hoult 0+1.