Mens 2nd XI

Report: 24-09-2016 – Mens 2nd’s (2) vs. (6) Harrogate Mens 3

September 24, 2016 by Slazenger HC

2016-09-24-m2-simon-randall

Slazengers mens 2nd team started their league campaign against a Harrogate side that went unbeaten throughout the entire of last season and although they were good in patches, eventually went down 6-2.

Slazengers were dealing with a much changed side from the previous season and were also playing a new formation which allowed Harrogate, a team that has played together for a number of seasons, to take advantage of individual errors and a bit of confusion over the new formation. Slazengers struggled in the first half primarily with players getting dragged out of position which allowed Harrogate to take a 4-1 lead at the break. Slazengers goal came courtesy of a sharp finish from Asad Baig.

Slazengers were better in the second half and were only undone on 2 occasions, both times following some excellent play down the flanks by Harrogate. Slazengers goal came through Harry Gunning who enjoyed a good debut for the team as did Amir Khalil in the centre of midfield. Despite being on the wrong end of the 6-2 scoreline, there are a number of positives which Slazengers can take from the game and apply in the coming weeks.

Report: 19-12-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (2) vs. (5) Tadcaster Magnets 1st’s

December 19, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers Mens 2nd team found themselves travelling to Tadcaster on Saturday for a 10.30am push and with a number of players suffering from Christmas parties the previous evening, found themselves 4-0 down at half time. The scoreline didn’t fully reflect the game as Slazengers created a number of chances and had an open goal gone in when the score was 2-0, things could have been a lot closer.

After some harsh words at half time, Slazengers put in a much better 2nd half performance winning the half 2-1 but ending up 5-2 losers overall. Goals came from Matt Green and Simon Chamberlain. After a number of player losses at the start of the season, Slazengers will be happy to find themselves in mid table.

Matt Chilton has been excellent following his debut with the 2nd’s and the team will be looking to consolidate their position going into the 2nd half of the season.

Report: 05-12-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (4) vs. (2) University of Leeds 2nd’s

December 5, 2015 by Slazenger HC

After going 4 games without a win, Slazengers were relieved to find 3 points again after running out 4-2 winners at home to University of Leeds mens 2’s.

Slazengers were boosted by the return of Will Buckley playing his first game of the season and immediately put Leeds under pressure creating a number of chances. Slazengers broke the deadlock after a quick break resulted in Daz Buttery finding Simon Randall who finished well from a narrow angle. Slazengers doubled their lead when captain Ben Graham picked up the ball in midfield, drove to the ‘D’ and finished well under the onrushing keeper to give Slazengers a 2-0 lead at half time.

Leeds must have had strong words as they came out of the break the better side and scored 2 quick goals to draw level. Slazengers settled back into their rhythm however and began controlling the game again with the Leeds keeper making a number of saves to keep them in it. Slazengers took the lead again when Graham grabbed his second following a goalmouth scramble and the points were sealed when Buckley got on the scoresheet in the final minutes.

Slazengers will look to build on this win away to Chapeltown on Saturday.

Report: 28-11-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (1) vs. (3) Sheffield University Bankers 5th’s

November 28, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers mens 2nd team suffered back to back defeats for the first time this season eventually going down 3-1 at home to Sheffield University Bankers mens 5’s.

In recent games Slazengers have failed to create chances but rectified that in this game creating a number of opportunities only to lack the finishing touch. Bankers started the game on the front foot and took an early lead after dominating for much of the opening exchanges. Slazengers could have been forgiven for expecting the worst at that point but everyone upped their workrate and Slazengers began to get back into the game. A number of chances were created and the equalizer came through Ben Graham following a short corner. Bankers took the lead again before the break and Slazengers nearly equalized when Asad Baig got free only to see his powerful shot come back off the post.

The second half was played through a torrential downpour although it didn’t affect the game, both teams played good hockey but neither could find the goal they needed. Slazengers had a number of opportunities to equalize but couldn’t beat an in form Bankers keeper and it fell to Bankers to secure the points when Slazengers were caught up field and a quick breakaway sore Bankers find the net.

Ben Graham took the man of the match award for Slazengers who will look at bounce back next week against Leeds University.

Report: 21-11-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (0) vs. (2) Acomb 1st’s

November 21, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers mens 2nd team travelled to Acomb 1’s on Saturday and went down 2-0 to a strong Acomb side. Acomb were very well organised and passed the ball round well meaning Slazengers found themselves chasing the game for long periods.

Acomb went 1-0 up midway through the first half and although Slazengers created some chances, struggled to work the Acomb keeper. The 2nd half saw Slazengers press higher trying to chase the game but found themselves caught on the break on a number of occasions and relied on the defence and keeper to keep Acomb at bay.

As Slazengers tired towards the end of the game, Acomb found more space and eventually got their second in the final minute.

Report: 24-10-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (4) vs. (3) University of Leeds 2nd’s

October 24, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers Mens 2nd team had a double header this weekend. Saturday saw them travel to Leeds University 2’s and although putting in a below par performance, still came away with a 4-3 victory. Slazengers started well and created a number of opportunities but struggled to find the net when it seemed easier to score. The deadlock was eventually broken when Ted Richardson finished strongly on his reverse stick. Richardson grabbed his second shortly afterwards only for Leeds Uni to hit back straight away. Slazengers continued to battle and Richardson completed a first half hat trick to go into the break 3-1 up. The second half saw Leeds Uni immediately pull one back and then draw level mid way through the half. Slazengers were up against it for a while but managed to weather the storm and hit back with the winner shortly before full time, Simon Chamberlain withstanding a number of physical challenges before slotting home.

Sunday saw a much changed Slazengers 2’nd team travel to Lincoln for a cup fixture. The long journey and unfamiliar line up saw Slazengers struggle with Lincoln going 4-0 up inside the first 20 minutes. Slazengers could have been forgiven if their heads went down but they didn’t and began the fight back. Captain Ben Graham scored the 1st from a good short corner routine and Matt Stacey pulled another back after catching the Lincoln defense napping off a free hit. Graham grabbed his second before the break to go in at the half 4-3 down. Slazengers were eager to continue the fightback in the 2nd half and took the game to Lincoln, Graham completed his hat-trick off another short corner and Andy Birkett scored to put Slazengers in front for the first time in the game.

Lincoln were shocked into action and continued to introduce fresh legs from their subs bench, a luxury Slazengers couldn’t afford having only 11 players, and managed to draw level meaning the game went to penalty flicks. A total of 20 flicks were taken, 10 of which were in sudden death and despite Slazengers keeper Daz Buttery making 3 saves, Lincoln managed to score the decisive flick to go through.

Report: 17-10-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (8) vs. (2) Lindum 5th’s

October 17, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers mens 2nd team put in a strong performance on Saturday running out comfortable 8-2 winners against Lindum Mens 4’s. Slazengers started strongly and took the lead when quick thinking by Matt Stacey resulted in him taking a quick free hit to himself, driving into the circle and firing home. Lindum weren’t happy with the original free hit and were soon doubly disappointed as Stacey grabbed his second finishing a good team move. Simon Randall making his first appearance of the season got on the score sheet as did Daz Buttery finishing neatly at the back post.

Lindum pulled one back but it was Slazengers who continued to press, playing good hockey throughout and pressing Lindum at every opportunity. Buttery got his second following good work down the right and then Stacey completed his hat trick just before the break.

The second half saw Slazengers slow a little thinking the job was done allowing Lindum to get a 2nd. Slazengers picked up their intensity again with Matt Stacey grabbing his fourth with an excellent reverse stick strike and Ben Graham completing the scoring. Matt Stacey took the man of the match award for Slazengers.

Report: 10-10-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (2) vs. (3) Wakefield 4th’s

October 10, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers mens 2nd team suffered their 2nd defeat in 3 games at the hands of a good Wakefield side eventually losing out 3-2. Slazengers started brightly and arguably their best move of the game was their first, strong play down the right resulted in Jake Barras picking the ball up at the top of the ‘D’. He moved it round a couple of players and slipped it to Ben Graham who drilled a first time shot to give Slazengers the lead. Wakefield bounced back almost immediately to draw level and then as the half progressed, took the lead after a quick break. Slazengers rallied however to make sure they went in the break level, Jez Whawell picked the ball up in midfield and fired a pass to Byron Dean who’s first time deflection found the net.

In the 2nd half, Wakefield’s youthful midfield began to cause Slazengers problems with the Slaz players struggling to get hold of the ball or keep any kind of meaningful possession. Eventually the attacks told and Wakefield took the lead. Slazengers were pressing for an equaliser when they were reduced to 10 men and when the offending players dissented resulting in another player being sent to the stands, Slazengers chance of a comeback was ended.

Matt Stacey took the man of the match award for Slazengers closely followed by keeper Andy Loftus.

Report: 03-10-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (7) vs. (1) Chapeltown 2nd’s

October 3, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers Men’s 2nd team got over the disappointment of the previous week with an excellent 7-1 victory at home to Chapeltown 2’s on Saturday. Straight from the off, Slazengers laid a marker down not giving Chapeltown any time to settle and pressing at every opportunity. The breakthrough came when a short corner routine ended with Ian Hedges opening the scoring. The lead was soon doubled when excellent work down the right wing by James Walker resulted in Hedges getting his second with an easy finish at the back post. Captain Ben Graham soon got on the scoresheet finishing another short corner routine and just before half time grabbed his 2nd and Slazengers 4th wrong footing the keeper with a subtle finish.

Chapeltown had harsh words at halftime and started the 2nd half brightly getting their consolation goal only for Slazengers to score 2 more almost immediately. James Walker got on the score sheet with a good finish and after Ste Roberts robbed the Chapeltown defence only to see his shot come back off the post, Hedges was on hand to knock into the empty net and complete his hat trick. Jake Barras completed the scoring picking the ball up outside the Chapeltown ‘D’, driving round a couple of defenders and finding a neat finish whilst under significant physical pressure from the covering defenders.

Ian Hedges picked up the man of the match award for Slazengers who travel to local rivals Wakefield on Saturday.

Report: 28-03-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (5) vs. (0) Huddersfield 3rd’s

March 28, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers mens 2nd team faced Huddersfield mens 3’s in their penultimate game of the season and ran out comfortable 5-0 winners. Slazengers were quick off the mark and put Huddersfield under early pressure but failed to find the net until midway through the half when Brett Cunningham finished off a good cross from winger Ian Hedges. Despite dominating possession, Slazengers failed to increase their lead before half time going in 1-0 up at the break.

A stern halftime talk kicked started Slazengers and with increased intensity, the lead was soon increased when Ted Richardson finished off a short corner routine. Hedges got on the score sheet following excellent work down the right from James Walker and 2 more from Cunningham saw him complete his hat-trick. The man of the match award went to Slazengers keeper James Cowden despite him only touching the ball once during the game.

Slazengers final game is away at Sheffield Hallam in 2 weeks time where they will look to end on a high against opposition who have always got the better of them in recent meetings.

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