Slazenger Mens 3rds stand on the brink of promotion, after their final home game against Chapeltown 4th’s
Slazenger 3’s got of to another flying start for their final home fixture of the season against Chapeltown, scoring from a penalty corner within the first 60 seconds. A neat move was finished by Andy Birkett who deftly flicked the ball into the goal after Paul Johnson had wrong footed the oncoming defenders.
The home side continued to press for the next 10 minutes but as in recent games failed to convert several decent opportunities into goals. As the half progressed Chapeltown continued to work hard and began to dominate the middle of the field and limit Slazengers attacking options.
The only real threat from the home team at this time was Ian Hedges on the left wing, who had the beating of his marker.
Despite Chapeltown’s progressive work they only really created 2 scoring opportunities in the whole game, one in either half, neither was thankfully taken.
Second half Slazengers got to grips with man marking the opposition and began to exert more pressure, but again were wasteful in front of goal.
Steve Johnson was unlucky twice in the space of 5 minutes and John Sykes forced the keeper to make several decent saves.
By the end of the game it was virtually one way traffic but still the score remained 1-0. The result was always more important than the performance and if Slazengers can win their last game of the season, away at Normanby Park in 2 weeks time, they will clinch promotion via the runners-up spot.
