ENL feature – Life with the Lawson’s

DURHAM, UK – Following our recent interview with the brothers Richie and Alex Lawson Prohockeynews had the opportunity to speak to the siblings again to find out how they found coming up against each other in competitive action and how both of their respective clubs (Whitley Warriors and Billingham Stars) have been getting on in the English National League of late.
Billingham were able to record a 7-2 victory over their local rivals Whitley however Warriors did test the Stars for the opening stanza of action.
Alex – “I thought the first period made the fans believe it was going to be a close encounter as both teams went into their changing rooms with 2 goals apiece.   In all honesty I thought Whitley looked stronger out of the two teams in the first, however second and third, our fitness and will to win was put on show as we outclassed Whitley in all aspects of the game in the 2nd and the 3rd.   This led to a great win for us, and a good game to watch for the fans.

“In all honesty I was surprised at how convincing the victory was against the Warriors, bearing in mind it was a top of the league clash.   However I was expecting us to outclass the Warriors due to the strength of our team and I believe this victory reflects that.”
Richie – “I think we came out strong against Billingham on Saturday, I was beaten by a very weak dipping shot first goal and the team pulled us back even, and we applied pressure.   Being honest, I thought we were the better team that period.   Second period Billingham gave us no time on the puck, and approached the zones with speed, beating our tired D core and we didn’t look like scoring once for the rest of the game…not even testing Flav (James Flavell, Billingham netminder) at the other end if I’m being honest.   Their fitness as a team really showed and I think this along with certain systems is something we should take from the weekend.”
Richie went to speak of how he felt one controversial refereeing decision in the 2^nd period of the game had taken the game away from Whitley and his views on some of the Billingham supporters.
“I think the key moment in the game was the allowance of the 5th Billingham goal.   Emerson is a good ref, and called a good game, as he always does.   Unfortunately he must not have been in a position to see the net well and truly dislodged for an easy empty goal to be scored, which inevitably happens sometimes.
“ We lost for key reasons relating to our systems/zonal play, fitness and drive.   Yes, the 5th Billingham goal should not have been allowed, and like it or not it did massively change momentum… 2 goals behind at 4-2 is certainly not a dead hockey game, and we felt we could win until that point.   But referees are only human, like players they make mistakes, you have to deal with it…it’s all part of hockey!

“One comment I wish to make is about the Billingham fans, I think it’s great they got involved in the game and even “chirping” players is part and parcel of what you expect at a Derby. However, for the small minority who proceed after the final whistle has blown and hands have been shaken, give your heads a shake.
“People always say that hockey is a family sport, and the players need to accept their responsibility as role models; what kind of example are you setting to the younger generation in attendance by being the big man in the stands shouting from the safety of 80 feet away at players who have tried their best.   That is the time you applaud, or shut up. Other than that, fantastic atmosphere, and the better team on the night won!”
The clash between Billingham and Whitley at the Forum was the first ever time the 2 brothers had come up against each other in competitive action.
Alex – “I really enjoyed playing against him, it created a good challenge for me in the game and ensuring I played to the best of my ability and do my job.   If I was to be honest I think I had a good game, I gave it my all, however it was a real disappointment not to have scored the goal at the end.   Even though James Moss did a brilliant job to follow up my rebound and score the final goal, I would have loved to have one up on my brother by scoring past him.”
Richie – “It was fun to play against him, I’ve never seen him shoot the puck so much! Being perfectly honest his line was the most dangerous to contain approaching the neutral zone with their speed, and I thought he was one of their key standout players and certainly got under the skin of a lot of our guys!   Just one note though Alex.. I may be fresh back playing, but a centre line slap shot isn’t going to beat an under tens goalie! I think that was his way of showing me he can now “lift” the puck after giving him a hard time last week! Alex you may have got the first blood this weekend, and congratulations to you and your team, but you yourself are still to beat your brother (that’s one positive I can draw from a very negative weekend!!!).”
Richie and Alex’s father Colin Lawson who photographs every Billingham Stars game gave his feelings on seeing his sons come up against each other for the first time.

“It was great to see Alex and Richie come up against each other in many respects, it was their opportunity to show that they are sportsmen and to show that the ethos of what goes on, on the ice, stays on the ice. They both played hockey, had a laugh with each other after a whistle, even had the odd sly dig at each other.   
“My thoughts on the game?   Well when you holding a camera, taking around 800 shots in a game, you don’t actually get to see the game as you tend to follow the puck around through a very narrow field of view through a 200mm lens!   That being said I do remember thinking at the end of the 1st that it could be anyone’s game.    There were however a number of things that, in my opinion, brought it down in favour of Billingham: 4 line hockey, home ice – always a big bonus, fitness – it was there, or not as the case, for all to see and without naming names, perhaps the most talented skater on the ice was also the most unfit and lastly coaching.  
“To expand on the coaching, Billingham had experienced coaches in Terry Ward and Stephen Foster whilst Whitley have Gary Dowd, who is in his fledgling season as a coach.   Gary is a very experienced player, with many years behind him, but as I’m sure he will admit, coaching isn’t as easy as it looks, especially from the seats or stands, as some people seem to think.”

The night following the tyne/tees derby both sides suffered disappointing results, Billingham drawing away at strugglers Solihull while Whitley went down to a surprising 7-4 defeat against the Sheffield Spartans.
Alex – “I think this result (Solihull) was a combination of 2 factors, one being then fact that we put everything we had into the game on Saturday (against Whitley) but also us underestimating how hard Solihull would come out and play.”
Richie – “In the Sheffield game, a lot of calls were made both ways.   We took silly penalties late on in the game, which allowed them to gain confidence they could come back.   Sheffield had a lot of good opportunities during the game from the go, it was a case of us tiring out due to a combination of a short bench, poor fitness, and a good zonal game plan to fall back upon to effectively “clog” the neutral zone and limit time on attack.
“We all have to take responsibility, myself included, for the losses.”
Alex went on to speak of how he thought Billingham were in pole position to claim the ENL title in their first season back in action.
“I think we need to forget about the disappointing aspects of the Solihull game, which the entire league will be talking about, take the positives and make a statement this weekend against Coventry and Nottingham. Even though we drew to the bottom club, we will still be taking the league title this year. Every good team is entitled to one bad result, ours is now out the way, and we need to continue with our domination of ENL 1 North.”
Before the interview concluded Richie gave his opinion on how he thought Warriors could progress over the remainder of the campaign and his feelings on being involved in competitive action once more.
“I think the most important concern for us is the immediate action we need to take, and approach things one game at a time, starting this weekend.   The playoffs will always be a priority, but not all is lost with the league…only we now have to rely on other teams turning over Billingham which is out of our control.

“I would prefer(it if the team were) winning obviously, that’s when I enjoy myself being the competitive person I am! I’m still finding my feet properly on the ice, being out of position and having to reach for pucks more times than I would like, but I’m working hard and it’s something I’d like to address for myself in practice over the next few weeks.”
Thanks to Colin, Richie and Alex Lawson for taking the time out to speak to Prohockeynews.
This interview was carried out just before the weekend of the 26/27^th November so neither player could obviously comment on that weekends games.
Images courtesy of Colin Lawson @ http://www.icehockeymedia.co.uk/
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com