Slazenger Ladies 3rd’s hockey team played away at Horsforth , this was the first game of the year, in fact the first game in over 8 weeks & it showed. Slazengers made very hard work of the first half and Horsforth capitalized on this. Horsforth moved the wall well & attacked in numbers, Slazengers found themselves 3 – 0 down in the first 25 mins.In true Slazenger form, the team worked hard & with a superb solo effort from Chelsea Armitage, Slazengers made it onto the score sheet. Horsforth then scored again on the break & with the score a t 4-1 the half time whistle came which allowed for that much needed team talk from captain Julie Finch.

The second half saw a much improved team, the midfield duo of man of the match player Beccy Stafford & Julie Bacon distributed the ball well. Slazengers utilised the full width of the pitch with Heather Bates & Sally Thornton linking up well down the left side. It wasn’t long before all of the attacking play paid off. Slazengers were awarded a short which after the initial clearance Beccy Stafford put it away to bring the scoreline to 4-2.

Lauren Fealy was tested repeatedly in defence & remained strong, linking up well with Millie Crowther & Zoe Bacon. Slazengers needed to push for another goal which unfortunately allowed Horsforth to catch the team on the break & despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Chloe Bates, Horsforth scored another.

Slazengers certainly did not give up & after a couple of near misses Gemma Whittam stepped up for a fantastic reverse stick shot into the net. With the score at 5-3 and only five minutes left on the clock both teams were pushing hard for the next goal . The chance came to Horsforth, they managed to play a good ball around the keeper & an despite an attempt by defender Karen Bates of a goal line clearance , it was not to be & Horsforth scored the final goal of the game.

Final score was 6-3 to Horsforth.

Match played at Horsforth Hockey Club on 15th January 2011

Slazenger Ladies 3rd’s hockey team had their first home game of the season playing Horsforth.Slazengers started the game on good form, holding positions & moving the ball well around the field.

The first penalty corner was awarded to Slazengers within the first five minutes, Kate Durrans put in a well weighted pass to the top of the D where Jessica Lloyd had her first shot on goal narrowly miss.

Slazengers had the majority of ball possession & were unable to capitalise on this with a goal. Against the run of play, Horsforth broke down the left of the pitch & managed to score the first goal of the game.

Slazengers were undeterred & battled well; Heather Bates in midfield distributed some great passes out to forwards Julie Bacon & Lauren Fealy. A fantastic pass out to the left winger , Gemma Whittam, saw Gemma drive a great ball along the back line & then pick out Elle Poskett making her run into the top of the D, a great strike from Elle equalised the score to 1-1.

Shortly before half time Horsforth broke in numbers & scored a second.

A reshuffle at half time saw Jessica Holland move into midfield, Jessica made an immense solo run from the halfway line into the attacking D & had a first-rate shot on goal, Sally Thornton narrowly missed the slight deflection required to turn the ball goal bound.

Horsforth made a few substitutions which saw them become more involved in the game. With both sides working hard, the game was end to end. Chloe Bates made numerous saves however, Horsforth were able to score a third from a penalty corner.

Horsforth tried again to attack down the left wing; Millie Crowther was proving solid as right half & managed to dispossess Horsforth yet again. Although Slazengers played some of the finest hockey it wasn’t to be their day. Team captain Julie Finch, was delighted with the performance & discipline shown by Slazengers in the game & was pleased with how many positives could be taken from Slazengers performance.

Player of the match went to a well deserved Kate Durrans.

Final score 5 – 1 to Horsforth.