Slazenger’s seconds traveled to Sheffield Uni Bankers looking for a much improved performance and that is exactly what they got. A new coaching team coupled with a huge team effort saw Slazenger’s walk away with a four nil victory against a team who had beaten them by five goals earlier in the season.
Slazenger’s began the game in confident mood and were immediately on the pace, creating an early one on one chance only for the home keeper to make a good save. Slazenger’s continued to press and showed real composure on the ball, something which had been lacking so far this season. They managed to take the lead midway through the first half, Rich Hutchins finishing well after some great build up play. A minute later, Slazenger’s found the net again, Ben Graham with a smart finish to beat the home keeper for a two nil lead which they kept until the half time break.
As has happened so many times this season, Slazenger’s started the second half sluggishly with Bankers having some continued pressure. The Slazenger keeper, Tom Penistone, made a string of fine saves to keep the home side out, notably from a Buckley lob.
Slazenger’s realised they had to raise their game and began to produce hockey that has so far this season been lacking. Richard Hutchins grabbing his second from a well worked short corner, with Ben Graham completing his double from another short corner strike for a four nil victory. Garside, Birkett and White all worked well but it was keeper Penistone who took the man of the match spoils, followed closely by Graham.
Slazenger will take great confidence from what was by far their best performance of the season and will look to take this form into next weeks game at home to LA Metro.
