Slazenger picked up a point in this bruising North League East Division encounter against table topping Norton
For the first time this season, Slazenger were able to pick an unchanged team, but found themselves under early pressure. Former England schoolboy, Phil Hardy, pulled the strings for the visitors who deservedly took the lead and doubled their tally soon after.
Mike Thornicroft pulled one back when his flick from a penalty corner dribbled past the goalkeeper.
Gilston then got his customary goal when he reacted quickest to a goalmouth scramble.
The momentum seemed to be going Slazenger’s way, but poor defending allowed Norton to score before half time.
Slazenger played their best hockey at the start of the second half and the pressure told as James Swindon converted a penalty with a powerful strike.
Norton who thought they would easily win, began to lose their discipline and at one stage were reduced to nine men.
Slazenger capitalised when a penalty corner was stopped illegally. Thornicroft coolly converted the penalty flick. Norton were fortunate to equalise when a penalty that was going wide was deflected by Adrian Buckley into his own net.
But try as they might, Slazenger could not find the winner. Slazenger’s final league game before Christmas is away at York 2pm start at Huntingdon School.
