Whitley Warriors 3, Billingham Bombers 4

Jan 21 2008 The Journal

THE Warriors’ English National League title hopes were dealt a huge blow at Hillheads last night when Billingham gained revenge for their home defeat by Whitley last weekend.

Although neither side could score in the opening session, Paul Windridge got the visitors on the board early in the middle period and it took five minutes for DJ Good to equalise for Whitley on the powerplay.

However, it was not long before Billingham had the advantage again, Andrew Thornton firing home on 32 minutes to restore the visitors’ lead.

Player-coach Karl Culley kept his side in the game when he netted a superb goal at 35.51, but it was Billingham who led at the second break after Simon Hehir was quickest to react to a loose puck with just 53 seconds of the period remaining. Andrew Fletcher then struck what might prove to be a terminal blow for the Warriors title hopes when he put the Bombers 4-2 ahead at 44.59.

Bryan Dunn did give Whitley a lifeline with seven minutes remaining, but Billingham held out comfortably to secure their first win of the season against their North-East rivals – at perhaps the most crucial time.

SCORERS – Whitley Warriors: D Good, Culley and Dunn 1+0, Leach 0+3, M Good and R Sample 0+1. Billingham Bombers: Thornton 1+1, Windridge, Fletcher and Hehir 1+0, Thomas, Box and Moutrey 0+1.