Slazengers 4’s faced top of the table Bradford on Saturday and performed very well in their last home league fixture of the season.
Bradford were a well drilled side with a good mixture of youth and a couple of experienced first teamers that ensured Slazenger 4’s had to play with a good tempo and make use of the wings if they were to compete.
Aidan Hopkinson, Tom Pitchforth and Geoff Birkett worked hard to create the space in midfield to enable the team to push forward and attack. Tim Hunter put in several crosses from the left and Matthew Stacey caused havoc on the right wing, supplying several attacking opportunities for the forwards to score.
However, it was Matthew himself who benefited from an accurate pass, when in space, at the top of the goal mouth, to accurately place the ball in the net for the home team’s first goal.
Slazengers continued to create good goal scoring opportunities but squandered several glorious chances with poor finishing, trying to hurry their passes and forcing the play. The home team had to concentrate and Chris Hopkinson and Danny Croxall were kept busy with several attacking moves from the opposition. Half time score was 1-0.
The second half saw Slazengers keep up the work rate and continue to create chances without really convincing in front of goal. As the game progressed the league leaders stepped up a gear and really pushed for an equaliser and but for Richard Smyth in goal pulling of several smart saves, the home team would have conceded.
The game became slightly fractious for a while, with the Bradford umpire not really helping the situation. However, Slazengers finally succumbed to an equaliser when the 2 senior Bradford players linked up well and slotted the ball into the far corner.
There were further scares at both ends before the game finished final score 1-1. Slazenger 4’s last game of the season is away against Rotherham.
