Mens 3rd’s (6) vs. (2) Kingston Upon Hull 4th’s
Slazenger 3’s finished off a great week, after their cup final victory last Sunday, by winning their final league game of the season to secure automatic promotion for the second year running.
In a rearranged fixture, in baking hot weather, Slazenger withstood early pressure from opponents Kingston upon Hull before they were able to impose themselves upon the game. The away team were reliant on long balls hit from defence up to the centre forwards and trying to catch Slazenger on the back foot, and it was a tactic that worked for the opening goal, when the away team found the centre forward in acres of space and coolly slotted the ball under the keeper. Slazenger didn’t panic and continued to press with their passing game using Dan Levitt and Luke Gueli on the wings and it wasn’t long before a neat short corner was gratefully converted by Ste Roberts just before the half time break.
Second half the Horbury side took total control of the match. Everyone was looking for the ball, making intelligent runs off the ball and converting most of the chances they created. Very quickly Aidan Hopkinson and Jack Mumford increased the lead and Slazenger were encouraged to see Hull looking resigned to their fate. Despite losing 3 of their midfielders to injury Slazenger continued to press for more goals and were rewarded with three more from scorers Luke Gueli, Paul Johnson and goal of the day came from Jack Mumford who smashed the ball into the far top corner, from the right side of the goalmouth for his second of the day. Final score 6-2 and Slazenger 3’s are promoted to Yorkshire Division 5 as runners-up.
Mens 2nds (4) vs. (4) Lincoln Roses 3rd’s
Slazenger men’s 2nd team welcomed newly crowned league champions Lincoln Roses 3rd team in their final game of the season and came away with an entertaining 4-4 draw. Both teams had chances to win it but in reality a draw was a fair result. The game started at a fast pace with Lincoln playing with confidence befitting of league champions and soon took the lead. Slazenger however weren’t to be disheartened and started playing some good attacking hockey which lead to an equaliser by Jake Barras. Lincoln again pushed and re took the lead only for Slazenger to pull level again with Matt Stacey finishing off a good team move.
The second half was much of the same, both teams attacking well and creating chances with the Lincoln keeper twice denying 1 on 1 chances. James Walker in the Slazenger goal wasn’t to be outdone and made some cracking saves of his own only to be once again let down by his defence who conceded a sloppy third goal. Slazenger’s rallied however and quickly drew level and then took the lead with Barras grabbing his second and Byron Dean somehow managing to get himself on the scoresheet. With 5 minutes left Slazenger’s should have seen the game out but continued to attack and were soon caught out when Lincoln levelled for the final time. Matt Green took the final man of the match award of the season. Slazenger’s will finish the season in 3rd place in league which is enough to secure promotion to Yorkshire Division 4 for next season.
2nd Team: Back row (LtoR): Byron Dean, Rowan Tejura, Matthew Stacey, Ben Graham, Paul Johnson, Simon Randall, Mick Claes, Robin Whawell. Front row (LtoR): Jake Barras, John Sykes, Richard Smyth, Jez whawell, Simon Taylor. Not pictured: James Walker, Eddy Taylor
3rd Team: Back Row (LtoR): Dan Levit, Alan Perry, Ralph Toon, Mark Kitchen. Andy Fisher (C), Ste Roberts, Ian Hedges; Front Row (LtoR): Alex Calderley, Luke Gueli, Aiden Hopkinson, Andy Birkett, Steve Johnson, Robin Whawell; not pictured: Jack Mumford, Tony Walker