A side depleted through injury and illness had a tough encounter with a travelling Hull University 2nd string. The team got off to a strong start, with some hard pressing and good possession from the Slaz midfield. Unforturtunately, as the team pressed higher, lookin for an opening goal, Hull broke on the counter attack, putting them a goal ahead against the run of play.

The home team continued to look for an equaliser, with some strong defensive work from Dave Gascoigne, Matt Feather and Alexander Calderley keeping out any Hull attacks. Simon Randall went close up front, but were unable to find a way through. With minutes to go before the half time, Hull scored a second, after some fantastic goalkeeping from Darren Buttery.

In the second half, Slaz came out hard, forcing several short corners and maintaining pressure. Unfortunately, the deadlock remained, with neither side being able to score. Hull’s rolling substitutions provided a final barrier which Slazengers’ depleted side were unable to break down. The game ended 2-0, dissapointing for a team which continues to show glimpses of great promise.

A replenished 3rd string will look to carry last weeks good form into next Saturdays encounter with Sheffield Hallam.

Slazenger Mens 3’s latest match away against top of the table Hull University looked a tough proposition on paper and so it proved to be. Slazengers started well and worked hard looking to deny the opposition time and space on the ball. It was unfortunate that the Horbury side conceded against the run of play and never really recovered from this set back. Despite a lot of effort on hot afternoon Slazengers continued to concede unfortunate goals and went into the half-time interval 3-0 down.

It was good when Luke Gueli managed to pull a goal back with a well taken shot early in the second half. But the away team began to leave some gaps at the back in an effort to get back into the match and were hit a couple of more times on the break. But for a man of the match performance from goalkeeper Darren Buttery the final score of 5-1 could have been a lot worse.

Slazenger 3’s were given a sobering lesson during their latest fixture against Hull University. They were guilty of not converting any of the many goal scoring opportunities they created during the first half hour of the match and were made to pay heavily once their period of domination was over.

Time and again great chances were squandered, whilst James Higgins and Rob Whawell coped well with the few Hull excursions into the Slazenger penalty area. It was almost inevitable that Slazenger’s went behind to the first penalty corner they conceded.

This setback was quickly rectified when striker John Sykes levelled the score from a penalty corner of their own. It was hoped that Slazengers were back on track and would continue to take the game to the opposition. This did not prove to be the case.

As good as the Horbury team had been in the first half, Hull simply didn’t allow Slazengers to play as effectively in the second half. They were fast and quick in midfield and were too skillful when in possession. Slazengers conceded another 3 goals from penalty corners and the further behind they fell the more dispirited they became. There were attacking threats all over the pitch and it became a thankless task trying to prevent wave after wave of pressure.

Final score was a resounding 7-1 defeat.

After their close defeat away to Hull University before christmas, the team were looking for a big win to put their promotion efforts back on track. with the squad back to full strength, this was duly delivered with a 10-0 victory over the visitors.

Slazenger had not played a league match for a month, so were a little jittery in the first 5 minutes. However, they quickly settled in and returned to their quick passing style of hockey. It wasnt long before the home team were camped in the opposition half, with defence and keeper under pressure. Under this pressure, it was short order before the first goal went in, with hat-trick hero and man of the match Andrew “Roo” Birkett taking the honours.

With the relief of the first goal, Slaz continued to develop their advantage. Some solid work from the midfielders Andy Fisher and Luke Gueli supplied both wingers and forwards with fast passes.

Continued pressure from Slaz gave away a penalty corner, which was expertly dispatched from the top of the circle by Paul Johnson, putting the team in a strong 2-0 lead.

The team continued to press; flowing passing and fast darting attacks kept the team on the front foot. Three more goals came in the first half; 2 from Steve Johnson, and 1 from Ian Hedges; Slaz 5-0 up.

After the break, the team enjoyed the same advantages as before. With continued pressure, Hull had little in response. Mark Kitchen and Nathan Crowther mopped up and attacks and keeper Ralph Toon having dispatched only a single save.

Slaz scored 5 more; winger Alan Perry picking up 1, Alexander Calderly making a textbook strike into the roof of the net, Ian Hedges picking up a second, and Andy Birkett taking 2 more for his hat trick.

This result keeps Slaz in contention, with a third of the matches left to play.

Scorers: Alan Perry (1), Alexander Calderly (1), Paul Johnson (1), Steve Johnson (2), Ian Hedges (2), Andy Birkett (3)

Slazenger 3rd’s enjoyed a good 3-0 result away against Hull University 3rd’s on Saturday with everyone in the side making telling contributions.

After soaking up some early pressure from the university side Slazenger’s quickly
stamped their authority on the game, and other than a couple of breakaway chances, it was a dominance they never lost.

Slazenger’s created numerous chances down both flanks, with Isaac Fisher and Alan Perry combining well on the right and Robin Brearton and Steve Johnson linking well down the left.

But despite all the good possession, several goal scoring opportunities were wasted before Paul Johnson converted from a short corner with a thunderous shot which the keeper could only parry into his own goal.

Slazenger’s continued to exert pressure against the opposition, with several decent goal scoring opportunities created by the midfield but striker Paul Corney couldn’t convert. It stayed 1-0 at half-time.

Second half Slazenger’s soaked up the early pressure that was expected from the opposition before once again taking the game to the university side.

Half-way through the half Steve Johnson managed to convert from a slide rule pass across a crowded penalty area.

Robin Brearton nearly made it three when an excellent shot just shaved the wrong side of the post before Slazengers added another score when Isaac Fisher was on hand to convert a loose ball which the keeper had parried across the goalmouth.

Slazenger 3rd’s next game is at home against Sheffield.

From Andy Fisher
Match played at Hull University Hockey Club on 5th February 2011