ENL North round-up week 22

BLACKBURN, UK – Billingham Stars got their ENL1 North title challenge back on track with a vital win over Solihull Barons on Sunday. Stars travelled to the Midlands having narrowly lost 4-3 to Whitley Warriors in the cup on Saturday, but produced a confident display to defeat the struggling Barons 3-0. Goals from James Moss, Andy Thornton and Simon Hehir secured the win which leaves Stars five points clear of Whitley having played a game more. The top two are due to clash at Hillheads on 4^th March.
 
Telford Titans moved within two points of Warriors with a pair of home wins. On Saturday they faced Nottingham Lions and ran out comfortable 8-3 winners, then followed up with a 9-4 success over Coventry Blaze on Sunday.
 

Blackburn Hawks sit in the final playoff slot, just a point behind Telford. They faced a Sheffield Spartans team who arrived in Blackburn in determined mood, after Saturday’s 8-0 drubbing of Solihull. Hawks went ahead in the 1^st minute through Chris Arnone, but Luke Unwin bagged a fine equaliser soon after. Spartans had the better of things and forced Hawks’ netminder Danny Brittle into a number of fine saves. Nick Manning deservedly put the visitors in front after 30 minutes as he sailed through a static defence to coolly slot home.
 
Hawks upped their game and Ric Ravey’s wraparound effort levelled things up in the 35^th minute. The home team edged back in front just before the end of the second, as fine link-up play between Sam Dunford and Jordan Bannon set up Dave Meikle to flick the puck home. Spartans refused to lie down and forced Brittle into action on a number of occasions. With justover a minute left Hawks finally settled the home fans’ nerves, as Rick Hughes sent Meikle racing away and the forward lashed home his second of the night to seal a vital 4-2 win.
 
Trafford Metros’ fading play-off hopes received another setback as they lost to lowly Nottingham. Third period goals from Joe Wightman and Jack Clarkson gave Lions a deserved 2-0 win.
 
Solway Sharks are just one win away from the ENL2 title after another four-point weekend. Two goals from Nathan Salem helped Sharks to a 7-3 home win over second placed Sutton Sting and the Dumfries outfit followed up with a 12-0 road success at Sheffield Senators – Marc Fowley scored four. Lancashire Raptors have yet to pick up a point this season and suffered another miserable weekend, losing 11-0 at Fylde Flyers and 10-1 at Flintshire Freeze.
 
This weekend sees a crucial relegation clash between Coventry and Solihull, while title chasing Billingham face in-form Telford.
  Contact the author at: michael.black@prohockeynews.com