Warriors³ late come-back victory on the road
On Saturday 11th July 2026, our development team travelled to Blackburn to face the Renegades in a BOTB Cup fixture.
This was our Warriors³ team’s 10th and final game in the Bottom of the Barrel (BOTB) Cup and the return fixture against Blackburn Renegades.
The Warriors hosted the Renegades back in April where the visitors took the W with a 1-3 victory.
With the Warriors on the road and skating on Blackburn's expansive, unfamiliar ice, this promised to be a stern test. But, it was a challenge the team were up for.
Dressed players:
Kieran High (NM), Tomasz Molenda, Ash Davies, Jonjo Marshall, Jake Crabtree, Jake Croft, Connor Brocklebank, Craig Baker (C), Philip Bradley, Andy Palfreyman, Phil Pearce, Heather McCarten, Paul Eaglestone, Josh Moss and Zach Huntley.
1st period:
The Warriors couldn’t have asked for a better opening, taking the lead just 2:39 into the game.
With Jake Croft challenging a Renegades player near the boards inside the Warriors zone, the puck spilt out towards the on-coming Jonjo Marshall who took possession of the puck and instinctively sprinted up the ice.
Despite being pursued by Renegades defencemen he managed to evade them and slot the puck past the Renegades netminder. A trademark Marshall goal! 0-1 Warriors.
The Warriors looked sharp early on, applying pressure and setting the tone.
Whilst the Renegades were gradually growing into the game, the Warriors were able to defend solidly and keep them at bay for the remainder of the period.
Renegades 0-1 Warriors
2nd period:
The Renegades came out for the middle period in a determined mood and piled on some early pressure, eventually finding the equalising goal at 25:50.
The rest of the period was closely contested, with both sides creating chances but unable to find a breakthrough.
The period ended with no further goals, meaning the Warriors went into the second intermission all square.
Renegades 1-1 Warriors
3rd period:
At 1-1 this game was up for grabs with both teams fancying their chances of taking the win.
In such a close, low scoring game, just one goal in the final period could be enough to win it.
But, with a short bench and tired bodies, this would be a tough task and the Warriors had to be ready.
Both teams put everything they had into the final period, with chances being traded at both ends.
But unfortunately, it was the Renegades who scored the second goal to make it 2-1. Could this be the decisive goal?
Fortunately, it was early enough in the period for the Warriors to mount a come-back - and come-back they did!
With Warriors’ netminder Kieran High keeping the Renegades from extending their lead at one end of the ice, Warriors’ Captain, Craig Baker stepped up and took control of the game at the other end - slamming home the Warriors second goal of the game. 2-2 and game on!
With the clock ticking down, the game was getting more and more tense as no-one wanted to make a mistake that lost the game for their team.
But bravely, the Warriors kept looking for opportunites to attack. The team really wanted to end their BOTB Cup season with a victory.
And fittingly, it was their Captain who made the difference - Baker found an opening and fired it home to put the Warriors ahead at 2-3! A brace for the Captain.
The team were able to run the clock down and take the win. A fabulous display of character and determination to come back from 2-1 down.
Final score:
Renegades 2-3 Warriors
Points scorers:
Craig Baker 2+0
Jonjo Marshall 1+0
Jake Croft 0+1
Kieran High
Player of the game
Jonjo Marshall
Captain’s POTG
Player of the Game, as selected by the Renegades, went to our netminder Kieran High, while the Captain’s Helmet went to Jonjo Marshall - who opened the scoring in the first 2 minutes. Well played lads!
Also, big thanks to Simon Davis who travelled across to Blackburn to run the bench for the team.
Wow. The drama. What a final period from our development team. Such a gutsy performance to take the win and sign off on their cup campaign. Well done guys, you’ve had a great season!
Season stats
Our development team played 12 games overall.
10 games in the BOTB Cup and 2 challenge games.
The team scored 22 goals.
Top 2 points scorers :
1) Phil Pearce 3+5
2) Jonjo Marshall 6+1
A great season from both players. Worth noting that Phil also plays D!
Player of the game awards :
1) Kieran High - 3 awards
2) Jonjo Marshall - 2 awards
2) Charlie Tang - 2 awards
Captain’s Player of the game awards (helmet) :
3 x joint winners:
1) Jonjo Marshall - 2 awards
1) Phil Bradley - 2 awards
1) Jake Croft - 2 awards
Whilst no further games are currently booked, when they are, they will be posted on this page : fixtures and results.
