Men’s 1st’s (2) v (1) Harrogate 2nd’s
Slaz got off to another flying start with Mark Swinden and Paul Wiper creating havoc in the Harrogate midfield. Slaz looked really strong up front again with Dan Perry making some good runs and creating a groove in the pitch from the right half to the left wing! Jack Kitchen got his wood out for the team in a return from Studies showed he had not lost his skills.
Slaz again put out a really good team performance and if not for great saves by the keeper and defender, slaz would have been several up at half time. Harrogate came back in the second half and looked like they might take the lead from one a piece, but man of match Jonathan White was like a brick wall! in midfield and scored the winner 2 minutes from time for a final score of 2-1 to Slaz. Keeper James Cowden continued his great form and Robin Brearton gave a confident and disciplined display throughout.
Men’s 2nd’s (1) vs. (1) Leeds 6th’s
Slaz mens 2nds had a tough encounter away at Leeds 6ths. The team was below strength to start, with 5 of the regular team unable to play. However, subs from the 3rds stepped up to fill the gap well. The game was played at Horsforth, and their new pitch was slow, bouncy, bobbly which led to the team struggling to adapt in the first few minutes. However, the team maintained a high level of pressure; camping in the oppositions half for the first 20 minutes. However, the team lacked the clinical edge to convert posession and pressure into goals.
Ben Graham, Ste Roberts and Mick Claes were strong in midfield, and contended well with the surface, making several attacking runs. It was from one of these plays, that Slazengers only goal was scored – a cross was fired in from Paul Johnson, which was swept into the back of the net by Ian Hedges. After the restart, the game was more closely fought, with Leeds bringing themselves back into the game. Their equaliser came from a long aerial, which bounced past the back line, where it was fired in on the second bounce. Slaz stay top of the league, and will be looking to get back to winning ways next week against L.A.Carnegie 4’s.
Men’s 4th’s (2) vs. (2) Tadcaster Magnets 2nd’s
[AWAITING REPORT]
Men’s 5th’s (1) vs. (1) Rotherham 4th’s
When Slazenger Development team took to the pitch this week they were looking forward to a third win against their Yorkshire rivals, Rotherham. However, hockey is never that simple. A very even start to the match saw Tony Walker, Danny Croxall, Dave Smyth and Steve Wood soak up early pressure from Rotherham. Some raiding down the left wing ran Danny into a bit of a lather but Slaz were equal to the challenge. Steve Wood notably hitting the ball with confidence at the sixteen.
In midfield Tom Pitchforth did what he does well tracking back and mopping up loose balls. Geoff Birkett and Harry did struggle to get the ball through the centre but the wings had some success with Elliot and Chris Gasgoinge. Peter Gunning fought to get any of the ball, he had a couple of rushed chances that came to nothing. Rotherham on the other hand took one of their chances as far as it was possible and slotted in an elusive goal. Substitutes came in the form of brothers Dan and Tom Atkinson who both showed good potential in spurts. Harry Buttery in goal was largely unchallenged but when pressed dealt with the ball well.
The second half started brighter another goal for Peter Gunning which took his season’s tally to 20, yet it was the movement from his brother Harry and Elliot that gave him the opportunity to push the ball under the keeper to make that goal. Slaz took this levelling of the score as a boost and pushed higher up the pitch. Although have 75% possession didn’t equal more gaols, even though Peter, Harry and Elliot came close. In the end a draw seemed fair but with lots of positives from possession and pressing the ball.
Ladies 1st’s (2) vs. (3) Boston Spa 1st’s
[AWAITING REPORT]
Ladies 2nd’s (1) vs. (1) Acomb 1st’s
With Kazza B, Daisy, Andrea and a few other regular second teamers unable to play the seconds struggled to get a full team for the match on Saturday, however, with the help from some other Slazenger players they managed to get a full team with no subs.
From the start of the push back Slazenger’s gave all their effort in trying to beat Acomb 1st who are the top of the table. During the first 10 minutes the game was in Slazenger’s favour with a few early strikes from Stacey Binns and Nez Roberts that were either blocked by the keeper or an Acomb foot. After numerous short corners and some lucky saves by the Acomb defence, Some hard work from Elle Poskett and Sue Hope in midfield provided Slaz with the ammunition. The forwards managed to find the backboard with a goal from Stacey Binns after a rebound from the keeper.
Unfortunately with about 5 minutes left of the first half Acomb broke away and came up against Lisa GK who made a special tackle and took one of the players out which had them awarded a penalty flick to level the score 1-1. At half time motivation levels were raised within the Slazenger’s team and they gave their all in the second half to prevent Acomb from scoring. With a solid Slazenger’s defence line the end score was 1-1.
Ladies 3rd’s (1) vs. (2) Harrogate 5th’s
Slazenger 3rds battled hard and were unlucky to come away without any points. Slazenger battled hard from the beginning and with some key players missing, people stepped into different roles with confidence.
Harrogate broke the defences early in the first half but slazengers didn’t let their heads go down and battled hard to nullify the goal. Justine Birkett was there on the right post to slot home the equaliser.
Throughout the second half, both defences stood strong despite the pressure. As the full time whistle blew, an unlucky foot in the D meant Harrogate were awarded a penalty corner. Slazenger worked hard to defend it but the ball smashed the backboard gutting all the Slazenger players. Despite the 2-1 result, Slazenger took positives out of the game and the all round performance was up to usual standard.