Slazenger 3rd’s travelled to Normanby Park on Saturday, knowing only a win would see them secure promotion. After a jittery start, a 6-1 victory put it beyond doubt.

Slaz took the push back, starting brightly, though with some early nerves. However this was easily overcome after good link-up play from John Sykes and Andrew Birkett forced a mix up in the circle, allowing Birkett to slot an opening goal home. However, as in recent weeks, Slaz proceeded to make life difficult for themselves, by struggling to do even the simple things well. Normanby Park punished them for the mistakes, taking the initiative, and grabbing a scrappy equaliser. The usual strong Slaz defence struggled to clear their lines and keeper Ralph Toon couldnt stop the simple tap in which resulted, during an otherwise faultless performance.

Slaz continued to work, and the more effective passing game began to make gains. The horbury side attacked several times, cutting deep into the home teams half. Attacks from Ste Roberts, Ian Hedges and Matthew Stacey maintained pressure and it was Stacey who grabbed a vital equaliser before half time.

The game was closely contested for in the minutes before the half ended and Slaz were happy to hear the half time whistle.

In the second half, Slaz regrouped and reapplied the pressure. With only a goal in it, there was always a threat Normanby Park would equalise. John Sykes had been threatening throughout the first half, with several shots on goal. This half however, he managed to grab the goal; a powerful strike was caught by an unfortunate defender’s stick, with the keeper unable to save.

With some breathing room, Slaz really pilled on the pressure. Slaz continued to defend as a unit, with strong performances from their back line: Paul Johnson, Mark Kitchen, John Toon, and Alan Perry. This allowed the midfield to hit the opposition on the break, causing real problems in the Normanby Park goalmouth and winning several penalty corners in quick succession. It was from one of these that Paul Johnson scored Slazenger’s fourth; the ball whipped out from Birkett, and slammed in from the top of the circle.

A fifth goal completed Sykes’ brace, with a great individual effort. Receiving the ball on the edge of the goalmouth, made space for himself and struck the ball fiercely into the corner. This was quickly followed by Matthew Stacey’s second of the game, with a tap in from the right post.

Final score Slazenger 6 – Normanby Park 1 which ensures Slazenger 3’s will be promoted as runners-up having won their last 5 games of the season.

Slazenger 3rds started their league campaign on Saturday against Normanby Park and in swealtering conditions were unfortunate to only come away with a draw.

The game started quickly, with both teams eager to take control early on. However, it was Slazenger who put the pressure on in the early minutes of the game. Wingers Alex Calderley and Robin Brearton provided the width, making cutting runs, and chanelling the ball across the pitch.

Several chances went close, with strikers captain Paul Corney and Tom Whitaker making the keeper work in the heat. However, they were unable to find the net. Heading towards the end of the first half, Normanby Park broke away, and defeated keeper Giles Field putting them 1-0 up against the run of play.

In the second half, Slazenger composed themself and continued to build on the fluid game thy had been playing in the first half. The pressure paid off, with centre midfielder Andy Fisher breaking the deadlock with a powerful strike past the keeper.

This was followed up in quick succession, as a cross from Ian Hedges picked out Paul Corney, who burried it in the back of the net.

The third came from a fluid move worked from Slaz’s half. Centre back Paul Johnson fired the ball up the field, finding Calderley, who’s cross set up Brearton to put Slaz 3-1 up.

As the game came to a close, slaz conceeded 2 in quick succession, the second being controversial enough to put a dampner on what had been a great first outing for Slazenger’s third string.

Slaz thirds travel to meet Harrogate 6th’s at 10:30am in their first cup game of the year.

Slazenger Mens 3rd’s took to the field Saturday, successfully securing the 3rd win of the day for Slazenger Hockey Club.

It was a closely contested game, which started at a brisk pace. Slaz started confidently, but found a tough opposition blocking their way through. After the first few minutes, the team settled into the game, and started to operate better together, beginning to find gaps in the opposition’s defence. Nornamby Park were strong on their attack, and several times went close, breaking through the midfield, and passing swiftly outwit the defence. A combined effort from Paul Johnson and Nick Slack denied a shot on goal, keeping Slaz from conceding early.

Unfortunately, even with the great defending it was Normamby Park who took the lead, seamlessly slotting the ball past the keeper. Slaz redoubled their efforts, and within minutes they went close again, with a great series of passes from Issac Fisher and James Bennett carving through the oppositions midfield. With this level of pressure, it wasnt long until Slaz equalised, with winger Alan Perry slotting the ball into the bottom right corner, out of the reach of the keeper.

The second half started with much urgency on Slazenger’s part. They had had the momentum going into half time and wanted to maintain the initiative. A fast break from Jack Mumford and Ste Roberts caught Normanby Park offguard, carving up the midfield. Ste took the ball in and passed it across the ‘D’ to Jack; allowing him to fire the ball home.

Slaz maintained the pressure, and was unfortunate not to secure further goals from several opportunities. At the other end, it was another impressive appearance from Giles “Fodder” Fields. In only his fourth game he wowed the crowd with several spectacular saves, including headbutting the ball clear on one occasion. When the final whistle blew, Slaz retained the lead and secured the 3 points.

Next week Slaz play Hull away.

By Ian Hedges
From match played at Slazenger Hockey club Saturday 29th January 2011