It may have been Valentine’s day, but Slazenger have no love of playing at Stockton and for the third successive season came away empty handed.

After a run of disappointing results, Slazenger lacked self-belief at the start of this North League East Division 2 clash.

The lively Stockton forward line stretched the Horbury side’s defence and after stealing the ball in midfield, they went one up inside ten minutes.

Slazenger tried to rally with Mike Thornicroft prompting some good moves from the back. However, the home side doubled its lead after 25 minutes from a swift counter-attack.

Slaz’ made a better fist of it in the second half with Mark Swinden’s tireless running in midfield the major factor. Indeed second-placed Stockton were rocking when Richard Whawell cleverly flicked the ball into the roof of the net from a penalty corner. The next score was also going to be crucial and despite solid defending from Adrian Buckley and Ben Wells and an excellent display from keeper, James Cowden, it was Stockton who restored their two goal advantage.

There was no way back for Slazenger as Stockton wrapped up the points with a well-taken fourth.

Slazenger are now in a relegation dogfight and will need to improve when they face York seconds at home on Saturday.

Slazenger’s first trip up north took its toll as they went down 4-2 to a strong Stockton side.

The long trip left the Hobury-based visitors on the back foot from the start and they were forced to defend as the Stockton forwards piled on the pressure.

The Slazenger keeper fell victim to the poor playing surface as the ball bounced awkwardly to gift the hosts the lead.

And Stockton built on this by adding two more goals before the break.

Slazenger looked a better side in the second half and pulled the score back to 3-2 with goals from Butel and whittle.

But with two minutes to go, Stockton struck again to make it 4-2 and wrap up victory.

Slazenger play Halifax on Saturday (daytime) and then take on the Isle of Man in the English Mens Trophy on Saturday Evening.

Slazenger continued their impressive East Pennine League form with another outstanding home performance that got going from the very first minute and which included four cracking goals for the in-form Kevin Windler.

A well-taken reverse stick strike from Mark Butel left the Stockton goalkeeper no chance and put the visitors firmly on the back foot.

Slazenger never looked in trouble throughout the first half, absorbing the breakaways and then leaving forwards Butel and Windler to cause mayhem in the Stockton defence.

And it wasn’t long before man of the match Windler went on a solo run to make it 2-0.

Slazenger always looked dangerous, especially on the fast break, and showed just how dangerous they were from a defended short corner when it took just three passes from defence to hitting the back of the net for Windler’s second.

The home side’s dominance continued after the break and good midfield play by Webb and Shepherd led to Windler’s third.

Ten minutes from time, the visitors applied improved pressure and were rewarded with a goal which proved mere consolation as Slazenger hit back with a fifth and final strike through Windler.

Slazenger travel to Newcastle University on Saturday and play host to Ramgharia in the Sunday Cup the following day.