Slazengers mens first XI travelled to Driffield for their first league game of the campaign only to see the game descend into an almost farcical situation. Having travelled with only 11 players after a player had pulled out on Saturday morning, they soon found themselves down to 10 after Jonny White was injured in the first 5 minutes of the game. This was compounded by the fact that captain Will Buckley pulled a hamstring mid way through the first half leaving Slaz with only 9 fit players. This told throughout the half and although Slaz battled well, they found themselves 3-0 down at the break although 2 of these goals could easily have been avoided as they were results of defensive errors.
The second half began with Slazengers attempting to find some pride and soon pulled one back with Ben Graham converting Phil Midgleys excellent ball. Driffield soon added another only for Paul Wiper to convert a short corner to give Slazengers a bit of hope. This was short lived however after Wiper was sent off following a difference of opinion with the umpire. Almost laughably, Slazengers lost their third player to injury, John Sykes catching a fierce shot on the elbow and with Wiper left on the sidelines to the end of the game, Slazengers found themselves down to just 6 fit outfield players with the best part of 20 minutes left to play. The lack of numbers told and Driffield ran in a further 4 goals to end up 8-2 winners although without
the efforts of man of the match James Walker in goal, this could have been a lot worse.
With no league game next week, Slazengers will hope that Sundays cup game against Leeds will give them chance to rest some of their injured players with a hope to getting back to full strength the following week.
from (Ben Graham)
