Slazenger 3’s last game of 2013 saw them play a Lincoln Roses team lying second in the league and it was soon apparent to the Horbury side why they are so high in the table. The opposition were very quick and skillful on the counter attack. They were naturally full of confidence and played with great freedom. Slazengers looked sluggish in comparison and were slow to get going.

The home side were lucky not to conceded very early in the game as Lincoln tore through the opposition several times. That said the better chances did fall to Slazengers as the half progressed but the Lincoln keeper proved up to the task. Just as the Horbury side looked like they were getting to grips with the situation they conceded 2 late goals to go into the interval behind.

Second half Slazengers responded, people began to take responsibility and got their due rewards when Man of the Match Luke Gueli deflected a direct strike into the goalmouth past the keeper.

It was game on when continued pressure yielded a further goal to midfielder Jack Mumford from close rang. This was now the crucial period of the game, it was evenly matched and Lincoln for the first time during the afternoon could not be sure of the victory. So it was particularly frustrating when the opposition were gifted a soft goal after some poor team defending.

Slazenger heads did not drop and they immediately looked to level the game once again. In an increasingly open game Luke Gueli deftly brought his side back into the match with another deflected goal.

However, Slazengers failed to consolidate as previously and allowed the opposition to put their noses in front once again. It was unfortunate that the Horbury side conceded a further goal very late in the match whilst going all out for the draw. Final score 5-3 to Lincoln.

Slazengers latest match against strong opponents Lincoln was a tough, feisty encounter, with both sides keen to win. After a fairly even opening 10 minutes Slazengers did start to gain the upper hand with Jack Mumford and Rob Whawell working hard in midfield to close the opposition down and deny them time on the ball.

Slazengers created several scoring chances but failed to capitalise on these opportunities. So it was particularly frustrating when collective poor defending resulted in Lincoln taking the lead from an innocuous looking attack.

Fortunately Slazengers maintained their composure and it wasn’t long before winger Ian Hedges well executed reverse stick shot was tapped in by captain Byron Dean for the equaliser. Once again Slazengers continued to press without success and once again, against the run of play Lincoln took the lead.

After a bit of reorganisation in the team shape, Slazengers went about looking for an equaliser. Simon Taylor caused chaos down the right flank when time and again he powered his way into the opposition penalty area setting up some great chances for Slazengers to score. The equaliser finally came when Luke Gueli dragged a low flick into the bottom left hand corner, from a penalty corner.

It was time for deja vu once again when Lincoln were allowed to retake the lead after yet more defensive mistakes.

It wasn’t until the final quarter of the match that the Horbury team finally got the game by the scruff of the neck. First Jack Mumford’s well drilled shot found the back of the net. Then Mark Kitchen gave the home side the lead for the first time, from another converted penalty corner. Finally Luke Gueli sealed the points with his second of the day after some intricate passing at a good fast tempo allowed him to slip the ball under the diving keeper. He was unlucky not to get his hat-trick when after another good passing move, he was through on goal and his shot smashed into the keepers helmet, The keeper didn’t know too much about it as the power of the shot nearly lifted the helmet off his head.

Final score was a hard fought 5-3 against traditionally tough opponents.

Slaznger Mens 3rds also started back on Saturday, hosting Lincoln 3rds at home. The game was almost as tough as it had been on the away leg. However, with the team bouyed by recent wins and still in the hunt for promotion, Slaz came away with a well fought 2-1 victory.

The game stated at pace. The home side were eager to get a goal against the league leader, and played some past hockey from the start. Using the newer formation change, the team benefited from a stronger midfield, allowing them to push wider and deeper with the wings and striker. Luke Gueli and Andrew Birkett made some impressive moves, testing the visitors defence early on. Unfortunately, full-back Paul Johnson was taken out of the game by a stray ball to the face, however Slaz pressed on.

It was the home side which scored first, securing a short corner, which was expertly dispatched by midfielder Andy Fisher.

Lincoln continued to be a threat, and pressed the defence several times; going close a couple of times. Eventually, their tenacity was rewarded, when a player slipped their marker, to knock the ball in.

The second half was in the most part controlled by Slazenger. Lincoln broke several times, but struggled under the home side’s pressure. Birkett went close, as did Fisher and Ian Hedges. In the end however, it was a cross from Hedges who picked out Alex Calderley to slot the ball home 10 minutes before time.

Slazenger will host league second place team Chapeltown 3rd’s next week in another tough encounter.

A depleted Slazenger 3rds team travelled away to play top of the league Lincoln 3rd’s and despite an incredibly well fought game, were unfortunate to come away with their first loss of the season. (note – it appears Lincoln’s 2nds team have folded splitting between the 1’s and 3’s, So Slazenger were going to have a tough fight on their hands.) However, if it had not been for a great performance from Lincolns back line and keeper, the result would have been far different.

The game was lively from start to finish, with the first 10 minutes epitomising this. There were strong attacks from both sides, as each attempted to find a weakness with the other. With a missing winger and midfielders, Slaz were notably weaker across the middle, although contested well throughout.

However it was Lincoln who broke the deadlock. A defensive mistake allowed the ball into the “D”, where the home team’s striker slipped his marker and finished, putting them ahead. Slaz continued to press hard, and had several chances go close. Winger, and captain Paul Corney set up Steve Johnson several times, though this week he was unable to find a gap. On the other wing, Alex Calderley had another great game, continuing to show further improvement. In the centre, Ian Hedges and Andrew Birkett made several runs into the D, only for the attack to be broken down by the oppositions keeper.

Slaz conceeded their second after their attack broke down, and a lapse in midfield allowed the home team through, going into half time 2-0 down.

After the break, Slaz continued to play some fast hockey, only to be denied by the more experienced opposition 2nd team players. It was a goal from Paul Johnson which gave Slaz their break with 20 minutes to go, with a powerful strike off of a short corner. However, even with this renewed optimism, that was the only time the ball found the net. A tweak to the formation gave the team more strength, and allowed left back Alan Perry to carry the ball within range of the goal, and gave defender Mark Kitchen room to influence in the midfield. In the dying minutes of the game though, Lincoln scored a third from another quick break, sealing the game.

Slaz 3’s continue to show improvement game on game, and against any other team in the league, their performance would have been more than enough to win. However a strong performance from the Lincoln keeper and Slaz’s temporary midfield weakness was enough to blunt their effort. Next week Slaz host Rotherham 4th’s.