Slazenger’s 4’s endured a tough, gruelling encounter with Rotherham 5’s in their latest development league fixture. Both sides were evenly matched and despite playing some good passing hockey in the first 10 minutes it was the away side who dominated most of the first half.
Slazengers battled well and were resolute in defence without really imposing themselves on the game.
So it was against the run of play that they went into the half-time break 1-0 up. Matthew Stacey received the ball just inside the opposition half and broke past several players before reaching the Rotherham by-line and putting in a telling pass that Peter Gunning managed to convert.
Second half Slazengers bolstered their midfield and managed to stifle a lot of the oppositions attacks, although they remained susceptible to the occasional breakaway attack. It was from one of these attacks that the home side conceded an equaliser.
However, this set back only served to make the home side more determind and Slazengers enjoyed the majority of possession from then on and it was no surprise when Robert Cann cooly deflected, a well drilled hit into the goalmouth by veteran Geoff Birkett, over the top of the goalkeeper into the net. Slazengers continued to press but there was one last twist to the game when the away team managed to snatch a last gasp equaliser right at the end of the game. Final score 2-2.
Slazenger’s next game is away to York.
