Metros spring a surprise in the North-east
Whitley Warriors 2 - 5 Trafford Metros
The Warriors are third in the table, but carrying sufficient games in hand to be leading by a comfortable margin. Hillheads is never an easy place to visit, consequently the Metros knew they would have their work cut out to get anything from this game. Matters were made worse by a serious crash on the A19 causing them to arrive in Whitley Bay nearly two hours late. The Warriors generously delayed the face-off by nearly an hour, but that meant that there would be no time for a Metros warm-up. Remarkably for any game, particularly against a strong, physical team like the Warriors, there were no penalties called to either side throughout the whole game.
A goal for Whitley, a minute into the game (Murdy from Howey and Tindale), seemed to show that the trials and tribulations of the trip had taken their toll on the visitors, but the Metros stuck to the job in hand and a sterling display in the Trafford net by Declan Ryan prevented the Warriors from any more scoring. A remarkable natural hat-trick, in as many minutes, by Jamie Rogerson at the start of the second period turned the game on its head. Goals at 22.50 and 24.17, both assisted by Brian Worrall, and the third at 26.05, assisted by their line-mate Nick Alley, brought the Metros a two goal lead and brought the home team up short.
The Warriors recovered in the second interval and almost immediately reduced the deficit to a single goal (42.14: Dunn from Leach). However, the Metros had seen the light and weren't to be denied: Tom King netted at 49.10 from Andy McKinney with Nick Alley putting the game beyond doubt at 55.04, with another assist from Brian Worrall.
A delighted team made their way south along a crash free A19 in high spirits. A Metros spokesman said, "The past few results show that league positions appear to mean nothing where individual games are concerned. After the difficulties of the trip I couldn't see this result coming. The team performed superbly, special mention has to made of Decs Ryan's performance in the net: he was outstanding. We must thank the Warriors team and their organisation for delaying the start as long as they did. There are very few rinks where this could, or would, be allowed. Many, many thanks to them. It does seem a little churlish that we repay their generosity by winning the game, but we need the points as well! Mention must be made, along with our appreciation, of the way the Warriors fans clapped the Metros at the end of the game. A really sporting group of people. Thanks again."
Metros Man of the Match: Jamie Rogerson
Game Stats:
Final Score: Warriors 2 - 5 Metros
Shots on Goal (shots on Metros first): 35-29
Penalty minutes: Metros 0 Warriors 0
Metros' stats: Jamie Rogerson 3+0, Brian Worrall 0+3, Nick Alley 1+1, Tom King 1+0, Andy McKinney 0+1
Nets: Declan Ryan (60.00 mins) 35/2 : 94.29%
