ENL preview

Cardiff ENL Devils are in action in the bay again this weekend as they take on North London based Haringey Greyhounds who play out of the Alexandra Palace.  This will be a rare trip to Wales for the London boys as last year they phoned to cancel the match only hours before face off.  What followed was months of trying to get the game re-arranged, although in the end it never was and Cardiff were awarded the points and a 5-0 win.  A win which allowed Devils to sneak into 4th spot and the end of season playoffs.

 

This situation has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many and with Haringey pulling out of a few games in recent weeks through lack of available players there was a real concern they would once again fail to cross the bridge for this weekends match.  However, Greyhounds management and ownership has since been changed and they are now under the control of former player and Sky sports presenter, Nick Rothwell, so the game is definitely on and Haringey will be bringing a team hoping to compete.

 

Devils were victorious in the only other game between the teams earlier this year in a scrappy away win against a large team who play a very physical game on their own ice.  This time it is the ENL Devils who have home advantage and they will want to put a strong performance in and continue their unbeaten home run this season.  Coach Cuddihy has a great selection headache this week with a full squad to select from as Alan Armour returns from a match suspension served whilst Devils beat his former team Oxford 5-4 last Sunday. 

 

"It's a great position to be in" says ENL Coach, Mark Cuddihy.  "We are very fortunate here in Cardiff to have such a large group of players that can play at this level.  Last Sunday I actually had too many players and had to tell a couple of guys they couldn't play the game.  It's never an easy thing to do but everyone on this team knows they have to play for their place and that I will select the best team for each game.  We are trying to win the league, that is our aim, to win some silverware and every player knows that.  Our win last weekend put us back into 2nd place behind Invicta but above Chelmsford on goal difference, so I am very pleased.  We are on the right track."  

 

ENL players Chris Hart, Chris Jones, Luke Piggott and Gareth Dixon were called into EPL action on Saturday night as they helped out a struggling Romford Raiders.  Top scorer Steven Fisher also guested for Basingstoke Bison recently grabbing 1+1 and MOM.   This goes to prove that the Devils organisation are doing a great job developing players, as teams from higher leagues are continually knocking on the door to borrow players.   

 

This weekends game is Sunday 13th and the game faces off at 7pm with doors open at 6:30pm - Tickets are £4 Adults & £2 Kids.  All Elite season ticket holders and DCF members get FREE entry.