Bridlington

Report: 07-10-2012 – Boys U16’s (A) Tournament

October 15, 2012 by Slazenger HC

A good first morning for the Slazenger Boys U16 A team. Results as follows:

Slazenger 2 – 2 Doncaster
A slow start against Doncaster meant that Slazenger’s defence had to be sound. With Matt Feather, James Higgins and Rowan Tejura solid in the tackle and Ralph Toon awake in goal, they absorbed the pressure and gradually began to string passes together. A neat break down the right involving Aidan Hopkinson, Luke Gueli and Matt Stacey led to Rob Cann being free top D and he swept the ball past the Doncaster GK to open the account for the season after seven minutes. Doncaster renewed their pressure and within a couple of minutes won a penalty corner. The slaz runners closed Doncaster down quickly but the ball broke to the right and a Doncaster player drilled the ball right into the corner giving Ralph no chance.

The second half was equally give and take, with Slazengers being the better side for much of the first ten minutes yielding a number of clear cut chances one of which was converted emphatically by Alex Calderley, marking his first game as Captain. Within two minutes a swift Doncaster breakaway left them with a three on two. Ralph bravely dived to save the first hit but the rebound fell nicely for Doncaster’s Captain who had the skill to flick the ball past the dispairing Ralph into the net.Doncaster had the better of the last five minutes, but Slazenegr absorbed the pressure and defended stoutly, without conceding a further penalty corner. All in all a draw was a fair result against one of the leading teams from last year’s tournament and an encouraging start.

Slazenger 3 – 0 Bridlington
The second game was a more fluid and interconnected performance from Slazenger, who were too practised and skillful for a young Bridlington team. Plenty of chances led to well taken goals from Matt Stacey and Aidan Hopkinson in the first half and Isaac Fisher from a penalty corner in the second – its good to see the boys finding the target with such regularity early in the season.

Slazenger 3 – 0 Rotherham w/o.
With Rotherham unable to field a team, our boys came away with a total of 7 points from a possible 9 and a positive goal difference of 6.

Report: 07-10-2012 – Boys U12’s Tournament

October 15, 2012 by Slazenger HC

Slazenger Boys U12’s started their 2012/13 campaign with 4 good performances in their first games together, a number of new faces have started this year and everyone who played could be proud of their achievements.

Slazenger 1 – 2 York
The first game was against a strong city of York side Slazenger’s took the lead through the efforts of Owen Bland, but then a quick break for York saw the sides at 1-1, with about a minute to go York’s pressure paid off as they managed to sneak a goal into the bottom corner.

Slazenger 3 – 0 Bridlington
The next game saw Slazenger’s face Bridlington, the boys started off the game at a fast pace, pressuring the Bridlington defence and testing the keeper on several occasions, then the goals came fast in a short period of time with goals from Joshua Coe, Joshua Swallow and Matthew Chilton. This put the game well out of reach and the game ended at 3-0.

Slazenger 1 – 2 Rotherham
The next game was a similar story to the first, they faced a strong Rotherham side that was unbeaten on the day, Slazenger’s went ahead through a great solo effort from Chris Gascoigne. Then Rotherham put on more pressure and managed to pull one back, again with about a minute to go a breakaway left the Horbury side exposed and Rotherham netted the winner.

Slazenger 2 – 0 Bingley
The final game got Slazengers back on track with a 2-0 win over Bingley, the team was the stronger out of the two and it was Joshua Dunstan who found the net to put them infront, Matthew Chilton added his second of the day, this finished off a great day for the team.

Report: 04-03-2012 – Boys U14’s Tournament at Harrogate

March 4, 2012 by Slazenger HC

In my match report after our last trip to Harrogate in December, I noted that our next tournament was just 2 weeks away. How wrong could I be? With three successive cancelled tournaments, Slazenger travelled to Harrogate 3 months later with 16 boys including two boys on their first tournament; Elliot Golding & Lee Stringer.

The only player missing was Jack Garside who was taken ill the day before. Prior to the tournament, we had arranged to loan players to Huddersfield and Bridlington. However, Bridlington pulled out at short notice as they could field only 4 players, conceding their games 3 – 0 as per league rules.

On our previous visit to Harrogate, we experienced “cold weather but were spared rain or sleet”. This time we were not so lucky with the weather playing a major part in the tournament.Squad: Aidan Hopkinson, Alex King, Ben Stevenson, Elliott Golding, Isaac Fisher (Capt), James Higgins, Lee Stringer, Luke Gueli, Matthew Feather, Matthew Stacey, Mayank Gupta, Nick Calderley, Ralph Toon (GK), Robert Cann, Rowan Tejura & Tom Pitchforth

The first game between Huddersfield and Harrogate was played in freezing rain and was won 2 – 0 by Harrogate, with both Elliot & Nick acquitting themselves well for Huddersfield, particularly Elliot, who made some well timed runs at centre forward which were not picked out by the other Huddersfield players.

Slazenger (5) vs. (1) Huddersfield
Slazenger were quick to take control of the mid field, stringing together passes well and creating scoring opportunities right from the start, We quickly moved into a 2 – 0 lead within the first 5 minutes thanks to goals from Isaac and Matthew Stacey which raised a small smile as he scored against his old club. As the cold rain turn to sleet, Slazenger continued to push hard for another goal, working play towards the left to bring Lee & Ben into play. Pushing so hard for another goal left us open to counter attack and we played the price when Huddersfield managed to ‘bungle’ the ball over the line on about 10 minutes.The team reacted well, without panicking and continued to play good passing hockey which resulted in 3 goals in quick succession from Isaac, Robert and Tom to win the game convincingly.

Slazenger (2) vs. (1) Harrogate
While Slazenger were taking on Huddersfield in freezing rain and sleet, Harrogate were sheltering and resting in the warm club house. This advantage showed as Slazenger started a little slower than in their previous game coming under pressure, particularly down the Harrogate left. It was from one of these attacks that Slazenger failed to clear the ball fully leaving a Harrogate player with space and time at the top of the circle to score.

Again Slazenger did not panic, passing the ball and threatening down both flanks as well as down the middle of the pitch but as the sleet turned to snow, Slazenger clearly had the upper hand. Several shots were saved or missed by very little and Harrogate attacks became less frequent and less likely to score. However, it was not until 8 minutes from the end that a passing move through mid field led to the ball being played wide on the right where Matthew Stacey and Luke worked the ball around behind the defence before Luke laid it back for Isaac to finish almost unchallenged to equalise.

Straight from the restart, Slazenger pressed hard, with Aidan winning the ball well inside the Harrogate half leading to a string of short corners one of which Isaac slotted away convincingly to give Slazenger the lead. Harrogate then pressed hard in the last few minutes with Slazenger defending in numbers to record a deserved win.

It is worth noting that most of the Harrogate parents/supporters stayed in the warmth of the club house while the hardy Slazenger parents braved the elements (under the covered stand) to cheer on their team which might well have been the deciding factor.In the circumstances, the friendly that had been arranged between Harrogate and Slazenger in order to give some of the less experienced players in both squads more pitch time was called off so that everyone could get dried out and warm.

Player of the Tournament was Isaac Fisher who not only scored 4 goals but also controlled the midfield superbly and passed the ball around.

Most Improved Player was Alex King who is growing in confidence and skill to match his determination to win the ball, particularly against Harrogate.Thanks to John Toon who umpired three matches in succession.

I umpired just the first match so can appreciate how cold he must have been.Slazenger U14 boys finished 2nd in the YYH league, securing a second successive place in the playoffs which will take place on 29th April at Halifax HC. Congratulations to the team! Please keep this date free in your diaries!

Report: 08-01-2012 – Boys U12’s Tournament – The Great Escape

January 8, 2012 by Slazenger HC

The great escape..
Having been promoted onto the c pitch Slazenger were confident we could move up again. Life however does not always go to plan…

Slazenger (0) vs. Bridlington (1)
Playing Bridlington first Slazenger were camped in the oppositions half with a handful of chances coming to sub Harry Gunning who couldn’t convert them.

Slazenger (1) vs. Doncaster (2)
Caught on a counter attack and left with only Daniel Alderson the goalie to beat the skilled Brid centre forward rounded the keeper and fired home. Having played well with no reward the boys were keen to get a win from Doncaster. Both teams were equally competitive with Tom Atkinson and Joshua Coe working down the wings. A well worked corner gave Donnie an early goal. Working to up our pace Matthew Chilton was subbed on as left wing and a pace from Matthew to Harry gave Joshua a golden opportunity and he slotted in his second goal for the club. Doncaster gave as good as they got and an inability to clear a free hit from the left wing gave Donnie a second goal just before the whistle.

Slazenger (1) vs. Rotherham (1)
Having played good competitive hockey with no win the boys needed a strategy. An upped tempo was asked for against Rotheram and was given. Both teams equally keen to score but Jacob Dennison dogged defence kept out all comers. Another assist from Gunning put a defender in the firing line and he popped a great ball in to his own goal. To be fairMatthew Chilton was on his shoulder waiting to tip it in. That bug bear of clearing a free hit from the side gave Rotheram a well worked goal and Slazenger a deserved draw.

Slazenger (0) vs. Bingly Bees (0)
Two games left and the boys needed to pick up points. Bingly Bees provided real challenges and entertainment for any onlookers as both teams battled end to end giving their all in a fierce but well mannered game. Great hockey but a blank nil nil result…

Slazenger (3) vs. Leeds (0)
The final game then, and hardly any points picked up and a goal difference of minus two. A win was a must but against Leeds, who have some outstanding players who ran rings around us last time out. Well to use a football term ‘it was like watching Brazil.’ Ryan Denton acting in a sweeper role commanded the middle of the pitch controlling the ball and passing well, Jacob and Tom were solid in defence snuffing out any attacks whilst Harry fed the ball to Matthew on the left or Josh on the right playing confident triangular passes that left Leeds standing marking thin air…Josh scored coolly at his favourite back post position whilst Matthew and Harry split the defence twice for Matthew to fire home twice. All that was left was the finally moment of drama with a breakaway player for Leeds to be one on one with Danny and no help arriving. Danny slid his full body blocking the goal and keeping a clean sheet.

That meant the boys stay on the C pitch to fight another day….

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