Men’s 1st’s (4) vs. (2) Normanby Park 1st’s
Slazengers 1st have not beaten Normanby Park in many years. Today however Slazenger were on the back of not losing a game this year. Both teams were off to a fast pace and tried to tire the other side out by moving the ball round the back. Both sides had strong midfields that looked like they could turn the game. But it was the slaz forwards that had the edge to them and popped a goal in that bounced up and over sticks from centre back Will Buckley to the right winger Dan Perry who slotted it past the keeper.
Slaz got a second goal from Jack Mumford.. Normanby came Back at Slaz and got a good breakaway goal before the end of the first half. Half time was a talk about who wants it more for the next 35 minutes. Again Normanby Park came out hard and pressured the slaz defense creating good chances to beat the keeper, but James Cowden made some great saves in the corners.
Slaz got a third goal from Isaac fisher with a lovely chip over the diving keeper. Normanby got another to keep the pressure on, but Paul Wiper claimed one from a short corner with a dipping flick from top of Semi Circle. Slaz were again thrilled with a great team performance. Man of the match went to keeper James Cowden for keeping slaz in the game at key times.
Men’s 2nd’s (5) vs. (0) Doncaster 5th’s
Due to bad weather this was slaz’s first match in a month and it could’ve been a tough one but Slaz managed to start brightly and took the game to Doncaster. Slaz took an early lead through Ben Graham and thois seemed to wake Doncaster up as they started to play the better hockey. Slaz kept doncaster out with the slaz keeper and defence making clearances and saves.
Mid way throught the first half slaz doubled the lead with a goal from Matt Stacey. After half time Slaz started brightly again but didnt convert the chances they created. Doncaster came close but were kept out again by a tight slaz defence. Several chances went close, including the ever dynamic John Sykes, and Simon Randall. Slaz scored three more times to make the final score 5-0 goals coming from Matt Stacey again and two from Simon Randall. Slaz travel to Leeds 6s Away next week.
Men’s 3rd’s (3) vs. (0) Chapeltown 4th’s
Slazenger 3’s wanted to start their latest fixture with a high tempo and take the game to their hosts Chapeltown from the start. This they managed to do and penned the opposition in their own half for the first 10 minutes creating chance after chance after good link up play in midfield and by utilising both flanks with Dan Levitt on the right and man of the match Ian Hedges dominant on the left wing.
Any sign of a Chapeltown attack was comfortably dealt with by centre halves Mark Kitchen and Tony Walker. Unfortunately, Slazenger were unable to convert any of the chances created due to an outstanding performance by the opposition keeper. Chapeltown filled the penalty area with defenders and made it as difficult as they could despite all the pressure they were under. They were definitely the happier of the 2 teams to go into the half-time break with the goalless scoreline.
Second half Slazenger’s stuck to their game plan and finally went ahead when skipper Andy Fisher drove a fierce shot across the face of goal which was painfully deflected by a Chapeltown defender into his own goal. It wasn’t long before Slazenger went further ahead when Aidan Hopkinson coolly converted a short corner low into the right corner. Victory was assured when all Steve Johnson’s hard work leading the line was rewarded when he instinctively deflected a low shot from Ian Hedges away from the keeper into the back of the net. Final score 3-0.
Mens 4th’s (0) vs. (5) Normanby Park 2nd’s
No report
Ladies 1st’s (2) vs. (3) Huddersfield Dragons 1st’s
You could say that the Slaz captain wasn’t looking forward to the game against Dragons when she realised that four key players were going to be missing. However thankfully, some able replacements were drafted in and some tactical planning gave them hope of a decent result.
Unfortunately things did not go quite according to plan as another drama quickly unfolded resulting in a need to borrow some goalie kit. Some quick thinking saw the situation resolved before it was an issue, however players arriving from away matches were very surprised to see what appeared to be Fodder playing for the Ladies 1sts.
The late start and drama did seem to adversely affect Slaz as they quickly conceded the first goal after only a few minutes, Dragons taking full advantage of goalkeeper Eleanor Townend’s loose kickers! Things did not improve for Slaz as Dragons surged again and again and scored a further two goals to leave the half time score at 3-0. The half time team talk seemed to spur Slaz into action as they started the second half with a different line up and new confidence. They were quickly rewarded with a short corner scored by Amanda Sowerby. Jessica Rudge was unlucky to have a short corner disallowed but Slaz continued to press Dragons and a shot by Katie Browne trickled over the line to make the score 3-2. Tensions mounted as Dragons accused Slaz players of trying to take them out one by one and the game became more frantic. It looked like Slaz might steal a draw in the last remaining minutes but Dragons managed to hang on for the victory. Next game is Boston Spa away.
Ladies 2nd’s (1) vs. (2) Halifax 2nd’s
The ladies seconds faced tough conditions this week, playing at high altitudes on top of Mount Halifax; with arctic temperatures and little oxygen due to the height. This however would not faze them as they put up a strong fight against top-of-the-league Halifax.
Proceedings were slightly delayed with captain Nez forgetting an umpire; a now vital tool for any hockey match. Luckily a man eating McDonald’s was recruited to do the honours and the game went ahead.
It was the home team who made the strongest start, scoring in the opening 3 minutes and Slazenger struggling to acclimatise.
It was looking like a long afternoon for the seconds, but the committed stars weren’t going down without a fight.
There was some solid cupping from the attack, keeping Halifax pinned in their own half. Good runs from Hannah Field and Sue Hope created chances in the ‘D’ for Natasha Wiper and Elle Poskett; but as the saying goes ‘they couldn’t hit a barn door’. Halifax then scored, doubling the deficit and making the hill Slaz had to climb bigger than the one to the pitch.
Slaz came out for the second half switched on, with passing from the midfield cutting Halifax open and creating many chances. One of these chances eventually fell to Daisy Gee Sanders, who battled in the D and got her shot off; bringing the score to 2-1.
This made for a nervy last 15minutes for Halifax, making them defend in depth to keep the Slaz attack at bay. The home team did pull off some counter attacks that required some solid tackles from man of the match Julie Finch and a fine save from Lisa GK.
In the end Halifax managed to hold out and take the 3 points, leaving Slazenger with nothing despite their best efforts. Quotes from the sideline included: “these are the best opposition to play us”, allowing the seconds to go home with some positivity.
Ladies 3rd’s (4) vs. (4) Brigg 2nd’s
Slazenger’s ladies 3rds battled hard against Brigg and the points were shared. Slazenger’s were 3-0 down at half time about some spirited half time team talk and positive attitude resulted in Slazenger’s coming out fired in the second half. Two goals were converted by Claire Dunstan with an amazing run into the D. Naomi Horsley also got on the score board with a spirited run from the defensive half. Lauren Fealy converted her first ever goal for Slazenger’s with some style on the left post. Brigg caught Slazenger on the break and the points were shared.
MOM went to Emily Entwistle for a spirited performance on the left of midfield
Ladies 3rd’s (2) vs. (2) York Uni 2nd’s
Slazenger’s ladies 3rds were on scoring form again on Sunday. Slazenger’s were 2-1 down at half time after Naomi Horsley converted from top of the D early in the first half. Captain Gemma Whittam converted within the 1st minuet of the 2nd half and the score remained 2-2 at the full time whistle. MOM went to Linda Stacey for her motivational play in centre mid.