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.
