Following on from the launch tournament held in Newcastle at the end of August, the new Northern League has kicked off proper in the last few weeks.
Last season the Northern League ran as a rather small affair with only five sides. For 2010-11 however Dundee Stars have made the move to the Elite league, while Paisley Pirates, having limped through last season have dropped to the SNL, while the Clan will now run in the Elite from the Braehead rink.
This left Fife and Solway without a league. Whitley would also be down a number of fixtures and could not jump to the ENLs North Cup which had also been abandoned following a large number of cancelled fixtures the previous season. Fortunately Blackburn, Sheffield and Newcastle's Northern Stars from ENL N1 and Flintshire and perhaps surprisingly Bradford from N2.
So onto the game. Even at this early stage the local press had billed this as a "title decider" given the teams playing. A decent crowd of around 800 or so had gathered at Kirkcaldy's venerable old barn to watch a couple of British hockeys oldest sides.
Both teams were down a few key players but the game was played at a good pace. Fife, despite the pyjama or baseball style look of their new tops had a comfortable first period and had opened up a three goal lead by the middle of the second. They seemed to relax a little and the Warriors came back with goals at the end of the second and start of the third. With the sides tied and the momentum going Whitley's way things could have gone either way had the Flyers not managed to bang in three goals in the following couple of minutes to regain their leading margin. After this and despite a timeout Whitley couldn't stem the tide and Flyers goals flooded in.
So a good win for the Flyers and one which will give the team and fans some heart after the uncertainty of the off season. Not so good for Whitley but they are a good side and will certainly be sure to give a much better show once they get into their stride.
Flyers Goals
1 - Wilson 9:35
2 - Venters 15:26
3 - Venters 23:35
4 - Muir 41:25
5 - Gunn 42:02
6 - Wilson 44:29
7 - Gunn 45:35
8 - Greig 46:09
9 - Samuel 55:55
10 - Gunn 59:20
Man of the Match : Venters
Warriors Goals
1 - Reynolds 34:18
2 - Kippin 37:59
3 - Watson 40:59
Man of the Match : Flavell
