Report: 08-01-2012 – Boys U12’s Tournament – The Great Escape

The great escape..
Having been promoted onto the c pitch Slazenger were confident we could move up again. Life however does not always go to plan…

Slazenger (0) vs. Bridlington (1)
Playing Bridlington first Slazenger were camped in the oppositions half with a handful of chances coming to sub Harry Gunning who couldn’t convert them.

Slazenger (1) vs. Doncaster (2)
Caught on a counter attack and left with only Daniel Alderson the goalie to beat the skilled Brid centre forward rounded the keeper and fired home. Having played well with no reward the boys were keen to get a win from Doncaster. Both teams were equally competitive with Tom Atkinson and Joshua Coe working down the wings. A well worked corner gave Donnie an early goal. Working to up our pace Matthew Chilton was subbed on as left wing and a pace from Matthew to Harry gave Joshua a golden opportunity and he slotted in his second goal for the club. Doncaster gave as good as they got and an inability to clear a free hit from the left wing gave Donnie a second goal just before the whistle.

Slazenger (1) vs. Rotherham (1)
Having played good competitive hockey with no win the boys needed a strategy. An upped tempo was asked for against Rotheram and was given. Both teams equally keen to score but Jacob Dennison dogged defence kept out all comers. Another assist from Gunning put a defender in the firing line and he popped a great ball in to his own goal. To be fairMatthew Chilton was on his shoulder waiting to tip it in. That bug bear of clearing a free hit from the side gave Rotheram a well worked goal and Slazenger a deserved draw.

Slazenger (0) vs. Bingly Bees (0)
Two games left and the boys needed to pick up points. Bingly Bees provided real challenges and entertainment for any onlookers as both teams battled end to end giving their all in a fierce but well mannered game. Great hockey but a blank nil nil result…

Slazenger (3) vs. Leeds (0)
The final game then, and hardly any points picked up and a goal difference of minus two. A win was a must but against Leeds, who have some outstanding players who ran rings around us last time out. Well to use a football term ‘it was like watching Brazil.’ Ryan Denton acting in a sweeper role commanded the middle of the pitch controlling the ball and passing well, Jacob and Tom were solid in defence snuffing out any attacks whilst Harry fed the ball to Matthew on the left or Josh on the right playing confident triangular passes that left Leeds standing marking thin air…Josh scored coolly at his favourite back post position whilst Matthew and Harry split the defence twice for Matthew to fire home twice. All that was left was the finally moment of drama with a breakaway player for Leeds to be one on one with Danny and no help arriving. Danny slid his full body blocking the goal and keeping a clean sheet.

That meant the boys stay on the C pitch to fight another day….