On a very wet Sunday 4th December Slazeneger’s Under 12 boys took to the field at Leeds University. It hadn’t been a great start to the season as only Elliot Kaye had managed to find the net on the previous two outings.
Slazenger (1) vs. (0) Bradford
As the rain and cold started to bite Slazengers’s showed a greater determination and discipline to their game. The first match against Bradford was a good start with Slazengers coming out on top after squashing counter attacks from two talented Bradford players and switching from defense to attack quickly with Harry Gunning using a clear push into the goal that ran through all the defenders and goalie. The boys felt nervous and thought they should have gotten more from the game but were happy with the win. Bradford 0 Slaz 1
Slazenger (1) vs. (1) Driffield
Starting against Driffield Joshua Coe produced some great positional play and ran the full length of the pitch looking for the ball from Jacob Dennison behind him and Harry in the centre. His patience paid off with his first goal for the club slotting home a rebound from a shot off the goalie. An fine individual effort from a Driffield player caught us on the counter and the game finished honours even at Slaz 1 Driffield1.
Slazenger (0) vs. (2) Leeds
The top team of the league Leeds had been sweeping everyone before them so the boys knew they were up against a challenge. Tom Atkinson did a great job in Eliots position on the left wing working the field well. We tried to man mark the mecurial number 8 but his fine individual talent undid us twice. We had plenty of chances but couldn’t pull a goal back. Leeds took the honours Slaz 0 Leeds 2.
Slazenger (3) vs. (1) Airedale
Sheltering against the frozen rain for half an hour seemed to galvanise the boys as they needed now to pick up some points from the league to stay or move up. Next up were Airedale who had beaten the boys recently in the Yorkshire Minis. A warmed up Elliot Kaye was in action straight away scoring two quick goals after great clearences from Ryan Denton and Chris Gasgoine in defense. Jacob was solid in defense but fast footwork from Airedale left him chasing back and although generally untroubled in goal Daniel Alderson couldn’t save a well taken Airedale goal. With minutes remaining Elliot and Harry played some neat triangular passes around the D with Matthew Chilton and Harry finished with a flicked goal leaving the Airedale goalie dazed as to where it had come from. Slaz 3 Airedale 1.
Slazenger (2) vs. (1) Thirsk
The final game against Thirsk and the boys were keen to finish with a win. The Thirsk team were strong and quick but so were Slazengers. With Elliot knowing he only had half the game he quickly made his mark with a hard driven goal before Tom took his berth on left wing. Matthew Chilton took Joshua’s postion on right wing after a quick Thirsk goal a final one two move between him and Harry saw him score his first goal for the club before the whistle blew. Slaz 2 Thirsk 1.
