Report: 16-10-2010 – Ladies 2nd’s (4) vs. (1) Sheffield Uni Bankers 1st’s

With an unbeaten record and top of the league position Slazengers where in a positive mood. However with the opposition being 2nd in the league, Slazengers were mindful that this could be a tough game. Sheffield University Bankers started strongly and forced Slazengers to play extremely defensively for the first 10 minutes of the game with Lydia Luxford, Sarah Ritchie and Lauren Carruthers working particularly hard to clear the ball out of the defensive 25 yard line. However Sheffield University Bankers didn’t utilise their opportunities and Slazenger was soon putting them under increasing pressure with many shots on goal and near miss opportunities. A quick break by Sheffield University Bankers saw their one accurate shot on goal which was expertly and painfully saved by the Slazenger goal-keeper Lisa Chappelle. Slazenger then made a quick break with some excellent work between Julie Bacon, Fee Secker, Natasha Wiper and Lauren Carruthers leading to Laura Teasdale scoring in open play.Sheffield University Bankers started the second half similarly to the first half and the Slazengers defence and midfield where once again under pressure. Slazengers then upped their game and put in a more determined attack with Stacey Binns and Lauren Carruthers working well together on the left and creating two more goal chances in quick succession with Natasha Wiper and Ellie Poskett both scoring in open play. Nerys Rollinson then scored from a penalty corner making the score line 4 – 0 to Slazengers. Following the previous weeks tactics Slazengers repositioned the right defender Lydia Luxford to high centre forward were she proceeded to cause further difficulties for the Sheffield University Bankers defence but unfortunately didn’t score. Sheffield University Bankers then scored in open play to bring then final score to 4 – 1 to Slazengers. Special mention and thanks to Julie Finch, Lauren Carruthers, Julie Bacon and Ellie Poskett for their excellent performances and last minute drafting in to cover for illness.

Well done again to the umpires for keeping the game flowing and to Sheffield University Bankers for making it such a challenging game. Next week Slazengers have a 12.30 Sunday Cup game at home against Wakefield 6/7.