Slazengers mens first eleven continued their preperations for the new season with a tough game against a strong Chapletown team, eventually going down 2-1 although things could have been very different for Slazengers.
The first half started with Slazengers taking the initiative, controlling the possession well and creating chances. The Chapletown keeper was called into action making a good save from a Ben Graham snapshot, and keeping out a number of short corners. The pressure eventually told however with Jack Kitchen converting at the back post after the keeper had been left stranded.
As the half went on Chapletown began creating chances of their own with James Walker making a fine save, deflecting the shot onto the crossbar only to be beaten shortly afterwards, again making the initial save but the
defence were unable to clear and Chapeltown converted the loose ball.
The second half became a bit scrappy and with the sun beating down, Slazengers became visibly tired and resorted to long balls, failing to play the passing game that had seen them controlling the game for the majority of the first half. John Sykes did well upfront for Slazengers but with little support most of the time, found it difficult to break the Chapletown defence down. Slazengers continued to battle and it was only a breakaway goal with the defence outnumbered that saw Chapletown score the winner.
Both teams will feel they could have done better but in what will be a re-building season, Slazengers will be looking to build on the excellent possession hockey they played in parts of the game.
from (Ben Graham)
