Slazenger Mens 3’s finally got there season up and running with a deserved victory against Garforth 1’s.
Playing away against a team that in recent seasons has proved tough opposition it was the Horbury team that started the brightest, playing Byron Dean and James Walker up front, with good assistance from Luke Gueli and Ian Hedges on the wings.
It was Slazenger’s who took the lead when skipper Andy Fisher drilled in a fierce shot outside the goalmouth which hit the keeper on his pads before crossing the goal line.
Garforth immediately showed what they are about when within a couple of minutes they equalised due to a great solo effort from midfield, with an unstoppable shot drilled low to the keepers right.
Slazengers showed great resolve, immediately going on the offensive and quickly regained the lead when winger Danny Moakes swept a low drive just inside the post and just above the keeper. It was a theme that continued through the rest of the match that whenever Garforth scored Slazengers were able to quickly reply with a strike of their own.
Slazengers next goal came from a penalty corner, Luke Gueli saw his initial reverse shot saved but he was the first to react and flicked the ball high into the roof of the net over the keeper still laying on the ground. Luke quickly added a second with the best goal of the day when Byron Dean deflected a fierce pass towards James Walker who passed first time to Luke who again roofed the ball into the net.
Despite leading at half time Slazengers were conscious that the passing needed to be sharper and people needed to be making themselves available for easy passes.
Second half Garforth tried to increase the pressure on the Slazengers defence, whilst the away team were looking to retain possession better than they had in the first half. As the game became more stretched and Garforth took more chances as they looked to score Slazenger keeper Richard Smyth was called on to make some important saves.
Garforth were always dangerous at penalty corner situations and scored a couple of goals from them. However, each time the Horbury team responded with a goal of their own. First Man of the Match Danny Moakes scored his second of the game and finally Byron Dean, one on one with the keeper slid the ball under his diving body.
Final score 6-3.
