Sunday, 19 November 2023

Connah’s Quay Cobras To Face Riverside Raiders

The Connah's Quay Cobras team (Photo by HJ Photography)

The Connah’s Quay Cobras play their first home match of the new recreational season this Sunday 26th November when they face the Riverside Raiders in a challenge match at Deeside Leisure Centre – 8.30pm face off.

The two teams met back in April in what was the Cobras team’s first ever game and the Raiders notched up a 4-8 victory.  

A lot has happened since then in both camps with the Cobras winning their last three challenge games and finishing as runners up at the Sheffield Recfest, and the Raiders winning the Summer Classic Cup “treble” of conference, league and play offs.

Due to the relatively close proximity of the two venues and a regular interchange of players over the years, Deeside v Widnes encounters are always very keenly contested, with local bragging rights at stake, and Sunday’s game is bound to be no exception.

Looking back over the year so far, Cobra’s Coach Emma Dutton said: 

“Our first ever game was against the Raiders back in April and since then we have grown so much as a team. We welcomed new faces and travelled to our first tournament where we came second.” 

Looking ahead to the game on Sunday, Dutton said:  

“We're looking forward to playing the Raiders, it will prove to be a great benchmark as to how far we've come over the last 10 months.”

“We've recently signed former Altrincham Aces and Bradford Bulldogs NIHL player Kieron Clarkson - a real asset up front - and Alex Fisher in defence, as well as new netminder Andy Teese from Scotland so we are in a great place to play some of our best hockey.” 

“We have just confirmed a space in the Elite group of the Summer Classic Cup, along with the Raiders so this will be a good preview of what to expect.”

The game on Sunday takes place after the Deeside Dragons v Blackburn Hawks NIHL Moralee Division match and admission is free, so fans of both sides are encouraged to stay on afterwards and support northwest grass roots hockey.