Slaz ladies 3rds returned to the pitch after a week away due to frost. However, they were quick to get back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over the Otliensians 2nds’.

After the first encounter of the league ended in a draw, new captain Gemma Whittam was quick to take the reigns, and put Slazenger in the driving seat this time. The hard fought battle against Otley was end to end action, with several close efforts for both teams.

However, with new player Lauren McQueen making her debut for slaz, the robust defence stood strong and keeper Chloe Bates was only tested a couple of times

Following numerous attempts on goal, the deadlock was finally broken by player of the match, Angie Ouchakova who slapped home the goal from a well worked manoeuvre, one-nil to slaz. Both teams continued to contest throughout the remainder of the game, but neither side could score again.

The team worked well together and continues to improve game-on-game as evident by the 1-0 final score.

The first game of the 2011 season for the ladies thirds showed great promise of things to come. The game started well , we even had eleven players & a sub !!! .

Otliensians had first pushback but Katie Brown wasted no time in intercepting the ball & made a great run up the pitch to start the first of many attacks on the Otliensans goal. Back up was given by Nayeesha Tejura, they made a formidable duo in midfield. Great supporting play by attackers JB & Hannah Field offered our first attempt on goal , the shot was just wide . We were quick to respond to their 16 hit out, we closed down their options & put pressure onto the opposition to try & force an error . We were rewarded when Donna Wood picked up a loose pass, Donna played the ball out well to Lauren Fealey . This started yet another attack on the opposition goal which was again pushed wide of the goal . The remainder of the first half for Slazenger’s was repeated again & again, great build up play , great movement on & off the ball , passing play went really well & the final shot on goal was either wide or saved by the keeper, the Otliensians keeper was easily their player of the match & it was hard to believe that after so many shots on goal in the first 30 mins we hadn’t managed to get on the score sheet !

Against the run of play, Otliensians broke & after what was their first threatening attempt on goal in open play , a goal was awarded .

The second half started well for Slazenger’s, the majority of the game being played in the Otliensians half, Beccy made some great runs down the left wing playing some great balls across the D . Great support play from Sally ensured that Slazenger’s attacks were relentless. The deadlock was eventually broken when player of the match Katie Brown made another great run from midfield, picking out Hannah Field in the D, a great ball across the front of goal proved perfect for a waiting Zoe Bacon , a great sweep into the goal for the equaliser. This did prove that in actual fact, the white things do not move !

The defensive team of GK , Chloe Bates,& defenders Kazza B & Finchy had a solid game keeping any attacks made by the Otliensians to a minimum & moving the play back into the attacking half.

This first game showed great promise for the rest of the season , it had everything except for the finishing goal , no prizes this week for guessing what we might be working on in training !!!