Although Slazengers fell at the semi final stage, victories against two higher league teams in previous rounds along with an excellent showing against a very strong Leeds side will stand them in good stead for the league campaign. Jonny White took the Slazengers man of the match award.
Report: 17-10-2010 – Mens 1st’s (4) vs. (2) Chapeltown 2nd’s (CUP)
Chapeltown did manage to grab a late consolation but it is Slazengers who will progress into the next round.
From 17th October 2010, at Slazenger Hockey Club
Report: 07-11-2004 – Mens 3rd’s (4) vs. (0) Huddersfield
Slazenger’s third team entered this quarter final clash against Huddersfield, with confidence, after a resounding victory in the previous round, a confidence that was well founded and resulted in Slazenger’s coming away 4-0 victors.
The game began with both sides playing some strong hockey but it was Slazenger’s who opened the scoring through a Richard Hutchins penalty flick after the Huddersfield keeper had illegally shielded the ball. Although many more chances were created, this was the only goal of the first half.
The second half was all Slazenger’s with James Walker creating chance after chance with some great play down the right. Ben Graham eventually grabbing the second goal with a solid strike from distance.
Slazenger’s continued to dominate with Carr adding a third and Walker grabbing the goal that his performance deserved.
This was a great display and will give Slazenger great confidence going into the semi finals of a cup competition they surely have a great chance of winning.
Report: 24-10-2004 – Mens 3rd’s (7) vs (1) Wakefield 3rd’s
Slazenger’s thirds hosted local rivals Wakefield thirds on Sunday in the third team cup and produced a fantastic performance to run out 7-1 winners.
Both teams were always going to be up for the game but it was Slazenger’s who struck first blood, Johnny Halliday striking a fierce short corner home. The game settled into a physical well-fought game, both teams playing good hockey but once again Slazenger’s were able to strike with Timmy Carr finishing another short corner just before half time.
The second half began as the first had ended, Carr sniffing out another close in finish to give Slazenger’s a three goal cushion, Wakefield pulled one back before Carr completed his hat trick with a great strike, beating three defenders before drilling the ball home.
By this time Slazenger’s were in total control, playing great hockey completely dominating all areas of the pitch, Jez Whawell netting before Rich Hutchins rounded off a great short corner routine with a simple tap in. Marcus Shufflebottom made a great save from a penalty flick and Halliday completed the scoring with another good first time strike, surprising all by managing to stay on his feet long enough to get to the ball. Eddie Taylor used all his weight to boss the defence with James Walker always causing problems for the Wakefield defence. Slazenger’s now look forward to the draw with anticipation.
Report: 27-03-2004 – Mens 5th’s (5) vs (2) Leeds 6th’s
Sharpshooter Chris Wood scored four times as Slazenger fifths lifted the Plate at the expense of opponents Leeds
The final finally went ahead after being cancelled the weekend before because of the bad weather and Slazenger got off to a slow start against well organised Leeds defence.
There was some excellent attacking play by the forwards and especially Jermane Cockerill and Gareth Ventom who pushed up with great one-two balls between them.
This led to Slazenger’s first goal by Chris Wood with a good cross ball by Andy Auty and they doubled it when a blistering pass by Simon Killey to Ian Gordon confused the keeper and the ball went in.
Team spirits were high with all the players working and some good runs by Andy Fisher from defence. Coupled with good defending by Richard Baker, Ian Hedges, Dave Smith, and Neil Blackwood, they looked unbeatable with Wood’s second making it 3-0 at half time.
Leeds came out fighting in the second half to score an early goal but Slaz responded through Wood and although Slazenger ‘keeper Lee Secker had a relatively easy game, Leeds managed to score a second.
But Slaz’ again replied with another great pass from Killey to Wood who again found the back of the net.
Report: 15-02-2004 – Mens 1st’s (2) vs (1) LA Metros 1st’s
Slazenger reached the final of the Mens 1st XI Yorkshire Cup after a dramatic victory scoring a golden goal in extra time to set up a mouth watering final against local rivals, Wakefield. LA Metros may be in the division below Slazenger, but they had not lost all season and the Horbury side were without several key players.Nevertheless, the home team started the stronger and opened the scoring from a Paul Wiper penalty corner.
The away side from Leeds tried to hit back but the Slazenger defence of Mike Thornicroft and Ben Wells tackled well an restricted them to a few scoring chances.
Jonny White made an excellent début in the Slazenger midfield showing good composure on the ball and making some telling runs and Richard Hutchins was a willing runner up front.
Slazenger looked to have sealed it, but with less than twenty seconds to go, LA Metros found a dramatic equaliser.
Slaz’ could have buckled, but they showed great spirit to recover from the hammer blow, with Richard Whawell the home side’s hero, calmly scoring the golden goal which took them into the final.
Report: 23-11-2003 – Mens 1st’s (4) vs (1) Chapeltown
Slazenger Firsts team did it the hard way with a 4-1 penalty win over Chapeltown after the sides had finished level at 2-2 in the Yorkshire First Team Cup.
It took a titanic effort from Slaz who produced a tremendous comeback to seal the game in a shoot-out.
Slazenger made a lacklustre start with numerous passes going astray. Chapeltown took advantage scoring twice in open play as the Slazenger defence stood still.
Thw Horbury side showed more resolve in the second half and upped the pace of their game. They finally turned territorial advantage into a goal when James Swinden produced a thunderous shot from a penalty corner which hit the top of the back board.
With Chris Hayton controlling midfield, Slazenger pressed for an equaliser. Gilston went close on a couple of occasions but the Chapeltown defence held firm.
Finally, with only three minutes to go, James Swinden skilfully flicked the ball into the top corner from a penalty corner.
Neither side could break the deadlock during 15 minute golden goal extra time. Gilson nearly emulated Johnny Wilkinson but his shot was saved in the final seconds.
Chamberlain, Wells, Swinden and Buckley all cooly converted their penalties while ‘keeper James Cowden produced a couple of heroic saves.
Slazenger advance into the semi-final where they will meet Leeds side LA Metros.
Report: 09-11-2013 – Mens 1st’s (4) vs (7) Stockton 1st’s
Slazenger went out in the first round of the Hockey Association Trophy on penalties, but could hold their heads up high after a fantastic comeback on Sunday. With several key players absent owing to injury, Slazenger struggled to contain Stockton’s lively forward line in the first half and soon found themselves 3-0 down.
By the start of the second half, Slazenger had come to terms with a difficult bumpy pitch and pulled a goal back through Richard Whawell from a penalty corner. However, Stockton hit back almost immediately and at 4-1 down Slazenger appeared condemned to an early cup exit.
But showing great team spirit, Slazenger began to put some passing moves together and the experienced Simon Chamberlain narrowed the deficity from the penalty spot.
Slazenger’s midfield of Paul Wiper and the Swinden brothers then took charge. Stockton struggled to repel Slazenger’s pacy attacks and at one point were reduced to nine men after a series of poor stick tackled were punished by two yellow cards.
Slazenger completed their comeback as Alec Gilston converted two open play chances. Slazenger went close to clinching the tie during 15 minute s golden goal extra time with Gilston missing his hat-trick by inches.
This left the match to be decided by a penalty stroke competition which Stockton easily won 3-0
Report: 07-11-1999 – Mens 1st’s (1) vs (2) Leeds University 1st’s (Cup)
Slazenger travelled to first division leaders Leeds University firsts on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the Yorkshire Cup and came off second best – but only just 2-1.
Slazenger dominated the game and created several chances but failed to punish the home side.
The visitors succombed to a counter-attack goal before half-time.
Man of the match Marcus Taylor spearheaded Slazenger’s continued dominance after the break while Forman found the equaliser.
But Slazenger still couldn’t convert their pressure into further goals and eventually bowed out of the competition.