It was a confident Slazenger team who stepped out on Saturday afternoon. After the previous weeks unfortunate draw, the side were showing promise after only a few matches. However, as a young and often inexperienced team, Slazenger was going to struggle against the skills of an older and more developed York squad.
Within minutes of the first whistle, a goal had been conceeded. York broke quickly, and outpaced the Slazenger midfield. Outnumbered, the defence and keeper stood strong, but were ultimately conceeded. A slightly shell-shocked Slazenger team returned to the halfway line for the restart of play, and attempted to regain control of play.
For all the efforts of the away team, York piled on the goals, netting 7 in the first half. In any other game, the level of hockey played by Slazenger would have put them way above the competition, though in this match it was not enough.
As play started again, Slazenger redoubled their efforts. A reorganisation of play gave the team the confidence to push harder, and within minutes, Jake Barras scored. The renewed attacks of York were repelled by Slazenger, as they continued to control the match.
In the end however, as the match drew to a close, Slazenger conceeded two more. In this second half though, Slazenger acquited themselves admirably, with the second half’s goal diference more closely resembled the closeness of the match.
By Ian Hedges
From match played at York hockey Club on Saturday 2nd October 2010
