Halifax attacked from the start and forced the Slazengers midfield and defence to work hard at keeping them out of their defensive 25 yard line with goal keeper Lisa Chappell preventing and successful shots. Slazengers quickly regained their composure and began to make some excellent passes and moves through the field, with forwards Daisy Gee Sanders, Lydia Luxford, Phe Secker and Laura Teasdale making some good runs.
Slazengers then had Halifax under pressure with Sue Hope creating excellent goal scoring opportunities but Slaz seemed unable to put the ball in the back of the net. Halifax then scored in open play with a lifted shot at goal from the edge of the circle. Slazengers continued to attack hard and finally scored in open play with an excellent shot by Natasha Wiper. Just before half time Halifax scored in open play from a quick break, bringing the half time score to 2 -1 to Halifax.
Slazengers started the second half determined to score more goals. Nerys Rollinson, Sue Hope, Stacey Binns and Frankie Tyrell were working well together in midfield. The Slazenger defenders; Helen Ramshaw. Jess Lloyd and Heather Bates did a fantastic job of stopping Halifax from having any goal scoring opportunity in open play.
Slazengers continued to battle with Katie Durrans, Phe Secker and Laura Teasdale working particularly well as a forward unit. We were awarded a series of short corners, successfully scoring from two; Nerys Rollinson with a reverse stick shot and Lydia Luxford with a deflected strike. Halifax were then also awarded a penalty corner and scored with a difficult to save goal in the bottom left corner, bringing the final score to 3 – 3.
Player of the match went to Sue Hope for her effort levels in midfield. Well done and thank you to umpire Julie Finch for keeping the game flowing and covering for the Halifax’s inexperienced umpire. Next week Slazengers have a 12.15pm game, away against Sheffield University Bankers.
From Nerys Rollinson
Match played at Slazenger Hockey Club at 12:00pm Saturday 5th February 2011
