Whitley Warriors 3 Blackburn Hawks 3

Oct 18 2010 The Journal

THE Warriors dropped their first English National League point of the season when they drew with Blackburn last night, visiting goalie Daniel Brittle denying them victory with some magnificent saves.

The Hawks led at the first break, courtesy of a powerplay goal from Rick Hughes, but the Whitley attack was denied time and time again by the superb Brittle.

However, there was nothing even he could do to prevent Callum Watson from levelling the game at 21.12.

But Blackburn were soon back in front when a speculative shot from Ollie Lomax found its way through a crowded goalmouth six minutes later.

Whitley kept plugging away and Ryan Sample equalised after 45 minutes, with the same player then putting the home side in front at 49.27 when he picked up the puck from behind the goal and glided down the ice to fire into Hawks’ net.

One goal never seemed enough in this game however and with five minutes remaining Blackburn gained some reward for the brilliance of their netminder when Lomax snatched an equaliser.

Whitley laid siege to the visitors’ goal but despite all their pressure they could not find one final way through and had to settle for the draw that still leaves them seven points clear at the top of the table.

A day earlier, the Warriors hit the goal-trail at second-placed Coventry in a 4-1 win.

YESTERDAY

WHITLEY: Sample 2+0, Watson 1+0, Harris, Kippin & R Thornton 0+1.

SATURDAY

WHITLEY: Culley 1+2, Reynolds & Windridge 1+1, Good 1+0, R Thornton & A Thornton 0+1.