WHITLEY WARRIORS V BILLINGHAM EAGLES
ENGLISH CUP 2000
5th Novemberr 2000
Sunday 5th November put the Eagles on the road to Whitley Bay, not a league game tonight but the Eagles first encounter of the new English Cup. The Eagles are part of group B along with Whitley and Sunderland, home and away with a North South Final ( Sound familiar ). Eagles were without Andy Fletcher, Stephen Wallace, Richie Thornton and faced a re-strengthened side that no doubt welcomed the skills and influence of Simon Leech after a short stay with the BNL s bottom placed Paisley Pirates, and after all ramifications both on this web site and in their program Whitley have also added an import player to their ranks in the guise of Frerick Johnsen ,no prizes for spotting the U turn there.
1st Period
With expectations that the fireworks would be inside as well as above Hillheads the atmosphere was charged as Whitley faced the Eagles for the second time this season. The Eagles looked uncomfortable and took a while to settle into the lines that were put together caused by the absent players. In the fifth minute the Eagles were dealt a cruel blow when Tom Brown found himself side lined with an ankle injury, further modifications to the lines meant the Eagles lines were again forced to re think the lines. Warriors were first to score when Shaun Black hit a short handed goal unassisted. Eagles replied with a power play goal at 13:43 when Paul Windridge drew wide and slotted a pass through to Andre Malo who finnished to level the scores at one each. 14 :26 saw the Eagles get the go ahead goal when Dale Taylor released a superb long range shot to lift the Eagles above the Warriors.The reply came sooner rather than later when Fredrik Johnsen scored his debut goal to level it at two each. Warriors found themselves a man down when Andy Carter picked up a 2 minute minor for Unsportsman conduct. The first was a fast paced period that ended all square at 2 goals each.
2nd Period
The Eagles were forced to change net minder aa Wesley Fawthrop took over from Adam Flett who was suffering from a virus.The second opened with the Warriors again pushing ahead when only a minute into the period Andrew Carter hit his second for the night. Warriors collected a 2 minute tripping penalty at 23:19. Eagles were swift to reply when at 23:37 Andre Malo blasted in his second for the night assisted by Paul Windridg, with the scores even Warriors ran into more penalty trouble with a 2 minute Tripping call at 23:19 and a 2 min interference at 24:38 and a 2 min cross check at 24:50, unfortunatley the Eagles failed to capitilise on the situation. Warriors pushed ahead when at 34:22, Lee Baxter got their fourth goal assisted by Fredrik Johnsen. Three minutes later the Warriors again punished the Eagles making it Warriors 5 : Eagles 3 whenScott Taylor scored. At 38:25 after an incident on the boards that saw Eagles Phillip Pritchard collect a 2 min holding penalty the resulting atrecation with Shaun Black escalated when Eagles Scott Ward entered the fray. Scott collected a game penalty and Warriors Shaun Black a 2 + 2 for roughing. The second closed Warriors 5 : EAgles 3.
3rd Period
Three minutes into the third saw Eagles Martin Lewis collect a 2 minute hooking penalty, this was played off without loss. In the 50th minute Simon Hehir collected a 2 minutehigh stick call. A minute later saw Eagles Andre Malo and Worriers Andrew Carter called for 2 minutes each for delaying the game. Warriors hit their sixth a power play goal at 52: 15 when Simon Leech applied the tip to a goal bound shot from Warriors captain Bucas. With the Eagles still fighting for the game it was becoming evident that Whitley had turned us over. Eagles hit penalty troubles when Simon Hehir was called for a 2 minute roughing call. The final blow came at 59:45 when the Warriors hit their seventh for the night. All credit is due to the Whitley team with a League defeat to revenge from the opening of the season they were going to be up for tonights game, the rturn of Simon Leech and the chance to welcome Fredrik Johnson had put fire in the skates of the Warriors, the unfortunate injury to Tom and the early departure were all contributing factors but we cant take it away from the Waarriors who proved they could break fast and you still have to look out for Leechy because if you let him come at you he will create a chance where he can.
Wesley Fawthrop proved himself to be more than capable of standing in for Fletty, this youngster who travels from Bradford to train with the Eagles proved himself tonight - one for referees to note Whitley defended the goal at the dj end for 20 minutes and in that 20 minutes managed to dislodge it as the Eagles attatcked on 2 occasions. The Eagles however defended it for 40 minutes without a single dislodge.
PERIOD SCORES
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | FINAL | |
| WHITLEY | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| BILLINGHAM | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
PENALTIES
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | TOTAL | |
| WHITLEY | 8 | 4 | 8 | 20 |
| BILLINGHAM | 2 | 6 + game | 8 | 16 plus game |
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