Mens 3rd XI

Report: 03-10-2015 – Mens 3rd’s (4) vs. (3) Rotherham 3rd’s

October 3, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Captain Simon Taylor’s 3rds hosted Rotherham for their first home game of the season. The opening half was almost all one way traffic, with Slazenger holding almost all of the posession. Going into the half, the team however were level pegging at 1-1.

It was in the second half when the team really started to perform. Strong midfield work from Man of the Match Matthew Chilton and Andy Fisher set up John Sykes to slot the second goal away, while a searching run from Alan Perry, and the resulting cross was enough to set up newcomer Assad for this first.

It was not all one way traffic, as in the second half, with Rotherham counter-attacking successfully on 2 occasions; the first an unfortunate mix up by goalkeeper Darren Buttery, the second a well worked goal from open play. Slaz quickly followed this up with a fourth from open play, this time a deep run from Taylor was capitalised on by prolific winger Andy Birkett to be finished again by Assad Baig.

Report: 19-09-2015 – Mens 3rd’s (2) vs. (6) Doncaster 5th’s

September 19, 2015 by Slazenger HC

The new look 3rd team had a tough encounter at Doncaster, eventually being run out 6-2.

The team were without a few key players, however the team played some fast flowing hockey in parts, putting the early pressure on. Doncaster scored first against the run of play, however the visitors fought back into the game, with an equaliser: Alan Perry crossing for Ian Hedges to score. At half time, it was Slaz who had the pressure and were making all the moves.

In the second half, the visitors continued the pressure. Debut player and man of the match Matthew Chilton, helped by Matt Feather and Anwar Al-Khaili controlled midfield. However against the run of play, Doncaster scored two in quick succession. Legs began to tire in the last 15 minutes, and Doncaster thought they had the advantage when they won a penalty flick, but keeper Darren Buttery saved it with ease.

Doncaster went on to score a further three in the final minutes of the game. Slazenger took a final consolation goal; a solo effort from Hedges, rounding several players and lobbing the keeper with a reverse shot from the edge of the circle.

For as new squad, the team can take a lot of positives away from a match where the scoreline didn’t tell the whole story.

Report: 07-03-2015 – Mens 3rd’s (2) vs. (2) Leeds Adel 4th’s

March 7, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Mens 3 hosted Leeds Adel, and will be feeling unfortunate to only come away with a single point. The team started strongly, playing fast flowing hockey absent for much of the season, putting Adel on the back foot immediately. Slazenger had the lions share of the posession, though struggled to convert early on. Adel’s keeper kept the visitors in the game with several fine saves especially from midfielders Matt Banks, and Andy Fisher.

It wasnt until striker John Sykes was levelled by the goalkeeper that Slaz notched up the first goal; Andrew Birkett converting a penalty flick, and minutes later converting a cross from Ian Hedges to put Slaz 2 goals up.

Adel fought their way back into the game scoring their first, and if it hadnt been for hard work from the Slazenger defence, the team would have been behind. Matthew Feather, Mark Kitchen and goalkeeper Darren Buttery all had fantastic games. Unfortunately, Slazenger were reduced to 10 men for the last 10 minutes of the game, which Adel ultimately capitaised on, equalising in the dying minutes.

Report: 07-02-2015 – Mens 3rd’s (3) vs. (3) Leeds Adel 5th’s

February 7, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazenger mens 3rd’s recorded their first win of the season. After a disrupted season, the team showed form which had been building over the last few weeks.

Leeds attacked quickly in the opening minutes of the game, however Slazenger absorbed the pressure; full backs Dave Gascoigne and Paul Johnson worked cleaned up well.

Slazenger worked themselves into the game, with some hard work across the midfield; Matt Banks, Rob Whawell and Andy Fisher particularly battled hard.

The game was locked at 0-0 at half time, but with Slazenger on the ascendency.

As the second half continued, Ben Jackson played an aerial over the Leeds defence. Ian Hedges picked the ball out of the air and flicked it over the oncoming keeper into the goal.

Leeds fought hard in the dying minutes, with the home team defending all the way to the line, with man of the match Goalie Daz Buttery pulling off some key saves.

Report: 24-01-2015 – Mens 3rd’s (2) vs. (3) Doncaster 4th’s

January 24, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazenger Mens 3rd’s narrowly missed out on 3 points, losing out 3-2 to a well drilled doncaster side. The home team started brightly, showing impressive form and a lead within minutes of the start. John Sykes scored the opening goal, followed closely by a second well inside the first half. Doncaster pulled a goal back before half time but against the run of play.

In the second half, Slazenger continued to press, looking to increase their lead, however it was Doncaster who broke against the run of play, scoring an equaliser and followed up by a 3rd within minutes from a penalty corner. Slazenger took control of the game once more, unfortunately not being awarded a penalty flick minutes later. The team had numerous chances going close, with Doncaster’s keeper keeping several shots out, and Sykes hitting the crossbar in the final minutes.

The team travel to Hull next week, emboldened by recent strong performances.

Report: 29-11-2014 – Mens 3rd’s (0) vs. (2) Hull Uni 2nd’s

November 29, 2014 by Slazenger HC

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.

Report: 20-09-2014 – Mens 3rd’s (1) vs. (2) Doncaster 4th’s

September 20, 2014 by Slazenger HC

Slazenger Mens 3rd’s returned to League action in a new league for the third time in 3 seasons. With a place in division 4 and host of new players in the squad, the team were looking to start the season on the front foot. The game started well, though the team appeared rusty, with several passes going astray. As the team got into the game, the flow improved and Slazenger controlled much of the passing. Hard work from Matt Banks, Rob Whawell and Andy Fisher gave Slazenger much of the ball. However, the home side worked to break down the attack and stifle much of the goal scoring potential.

It was Doncaster who scored against the run of play with a quick counter-attacking move slotted the ball past keeper Darren Buttery. Slazenger continued to exercise control of the game; Ian Hedges up front, and wingers Danny Tiffany and Matthew Feather all went close, but Doncaster counted with their second counter-attack of the game to put them 2 ahead.

In the second half, a short corner was rewarded with a goal as a strike from Paul Johnson was netted by new captain Simon Taylor. Slazenger continued to pressure, with most of the possession, but with several key decisions against the visitors, they found the goal illusive.

Report: 01-03-2014 – Mens 3rd’s (0) vs. (5) Hull University 2nd’s

March 1, 2014 by Slazenger HC

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.

Report: 08-02-2014 – Mens 3rd’s (5) vs. (0) Kingston-Upon-Hull 4th’s

February 8, 2014 by Slazenger HC

Slaz 3’s travelled out to Kingston-Upon-Hulls ground looking to build on their recent run of form, and surprise goal scoring tallisman Simon Taylor looking for his 3rd in as many games (after a run of 10+ years without).

The team started brightly, winning the toss and playing with the wind at their backs for the first half. The team worked well, controlling the speed of play and retaining possession to the frustration of the opposition. However the Hull defence made it hard work for Slaz to convert the pressure into a goal.

The limited attacking play from Hull was soaked up with some great work by Alex Calderley, Byron Dean and Mark Kitchen.

It wasn’t until well in to the first half when Luke Gueli rounded the keeper and slotted the ball away to give the visitors the first break. From then on, Slaz continued to control the pitch and exert pressure on the home site. The creditable Hull defence It wasn’t to hold however; some strong work from Dan Levitt and James Walker in midfield setup Dan Moakes to put daylight between Slaz and the tiring opposition.

In the second half, Simon Taylor picked up his third in 3 games with a well executed strike (or was that a pass?). The fourth came from Ian Hedges’ reverse tomohawk from the edge of the D and Luke Gueli finished a brace with after going one-on-one with the goalie minutes before the end.

Slaz host Leeds Adel at home next week 1:30 push.

Report: 01-02-2014 – Mens 3rd’s (8) vs. (2) Garforth 1st’s

February 1, 2014 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers 3’s latest game was a home fixture against local rivals Garforth. In recent seasons these matches have been tough encounters against evenly matched sides. However, Garforth only had eight players and were up against it before the match had even started.

To their credit however, for the first 20 minutes it was the home team who looked like they were playing with 8 players. Their passing was slow and predictable and they kept on making the wrong choices across the pitch. Instead of playing with some composure and making the opposition work hard for possession they gave the ball away time and again.
It was no surprise when Garforth took the lead after 15 minutes, poor defending by everyone allowed an innocuous ball into the goalmouth to be deflected past keeper Darren Buttery. At least this set back stirred the Horbury team into action and slowly the passing and movement began to return and it wasn’t long before Slazengers scored an equaliser through Ted Richardson. This was quickly followed by an easy tap in for Dan Levitt who was on hand to take advantage of James Walker’s original saved shot. Half time score was 2-1.

Second half Slazenger’s improved greatly and began to use the width of the pitch to stretch the play and put a tiring opposition under the cosh. The numerical advantage began to tell as Slazengers scored at regular intervals throughout the half. Ian Hedges scored a well taken brace, Simon Taylor scored for the second time in as many weeks from a tight angle during a penalty corner, Byron Dean slipped the ball under the advancing keeper for one of his two goals and it was good to see James Walker find the back of the net with a great strike right at the death after unselfishly setting up several of the other goals.

It was to Garforth’s credit that they never gave up, their heads never dropped and they even managed to score another well taken goal before the end of the match. Final score 8-2.

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