Match Preview: Barons v Stars 091022

BILLINGHAM STARS face the long trek to the Midlands to take on Solihull Barons this afternoon hoping to build on the overtime win over champions Solway Sharks at the Forum a fortnight ago.

Solihull have made a patchy start to their campaign and sit mid table with two wins from five. Whilst the bulk of the squad was retained, the Barons lost some big names in the summer including the imposing Thomas Soar. The coaching set-up has some familiar names in former Bomber Phil Lee stepping up this season to the role of Head Coach, whilst his assistant David Graham started his nerminding career up the road at Whitley Warriors before basing himself in the Midlands. The duo will want to establish Solihull as one of the teams capable of challenging at the top end of the table as in previous years, so they will be looking to start finding some form and a game on home ice today will be seen as the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Billingham could probably have done without the weekend off last week as they finally put the Solway hoodoo to bed in fine style the previous Sunday. The signs are all there for the team to kick on and surprise a few folk with the League looking more open this year already. To make a real impression however, Solihull represents the sort of trip that the Stars have to start picking up points from. Games between the two sides tend to be tight and hard-fought affairs, similar tonight and Billingham will need the resilience and character they showed against the Sharks to edge it in their favour. The Stars are still missing Rolands Gritāns and Jack Emerson from the squad, whilst a late decision will be made on Patriks Grigors.

Billingham are on the road at Solihull Barons tonight, face off at Hobs Moat Road is 5.30pm.

Sunday’s Fixtures:

NIHL N1:

Whitley Warriors v Deeside Dragons, 5pm

Solihull Barons v Billingham Stars, 5.30pm

Widnes Wild v Nottingham Lions, 5.30pm