Billingham Stars host North-east rivals Whitley Warriors in a vital National League (North) Moralee Division One clash tomorrow evening with both sides desperate for the points for very different reasons.
Whitley are second-from-bottom of the table and facing a potential relegation play-off series against an opponent from Division Two if they fail to climb out of the bottom two.
The Warriors have had a turbulent campaign, badly affected by injuries and a less than kind fixture schedule.
Having had just one game in the last three weeks, Whitley will play their remaining five fixtures over the next three weekends, starting with a tough road double header against Solway Sharks in Dumfries tonight before making the trip down the A19 for tomorrow’s derby game (6.30pm face-off).
Every point is crucial as the Warriors attempt to drag themselves to safety, however their away record this season against both Solway and the Stars is poor and they will need to find some form quickly if they are to take anything away from either game.
Billingham by contrast are looking to make absolutely certain of qualifying for the end-of-season play-offs, with their target of second place still well within their grasp.
A single point is enough, however if their North-east neighbours fail to win in Dumfries this evening.
The points are vital to the Stars’ cause however, as a higher league finish will ensure they avoid favourites Blackburn in the semi-finals.
Billingham have been boosted by the return to training this week of long-term absentee Jamie Pattison after a shoulder injury, and import Thomas Stuart-Dant has recovered after suffering a bad gash to the mouth during last week’s defeat at the Hawks.
Michael Elder also left that game with a knee injury and remains a doubt for tomorrow’s clash.
Garry Dowd will not start against his former club as he fights to overcome an ankle injury, but the Stars have no other concerns and should ice a full bench for what is sure to be a full-blooded encounter.
Billingham director of coaching Terry Ward believes his Stars should have too much for the beleaguered Warriors.
“We know this is going to be a real battle,” he said.
“We both need the points and we’ll both be prepared to fight hard for them, so I’m expecting a fiery game.
“Last time out we gave Whitley a good hiding here and I’m sure that will be playing on their minds.
“But I know we have the better squad – we’ve been playing very well lately and building momentum at just the right time, whereas the Warriors are struggling to find any sort of form.
“They will have played a hard game up in Solway the previous night which will take something out of their legs too.
“All that said, this is a derby game with so much at stake – anything could happen really.
“We cannot just show up, we need to be on our game and be prepared to fight for every puck, and that’s exactly what we intend to do.”
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