Slazenger 3’s expected a tough game this weekend after the reverse fixture earlier in the season against Adel, had resulted in a tough, hard fought scoreless draw. The Horbury side weren’t denied a tough match but it was far from scoreless. The home team were 2-1 down within the first ten minutes and this had come after continuous pressure from Slazengers. Quick counter attacks from the opposition resulted in identical goals, with a fierce cross from the right being clinically converted by an unmarked striker on the far post.
Slazengers retained their composure and set about getting back into the game. Tom Pitchforth was strong in the middle of the pitch, working tirelessly and debutant at left half Matthew Feather played with a great deal of composure, despite being on the receiving end of persistent niggling fouls.
Things were to get worse before they got better for the home side when Leeds Adel took a 3-1 lead with another goal for the same centre forward in very similar circumstances. Slazengers immediately took the initiative and began to try and find a way back into the game. Ian Hedges provided that spark when he cooly swept the ball high into the top right of the goal from just inside the area.
Once again however, Slazengers let Leeds regain the initiative when a penalty corner was poorly defended and the opposition scored their fourth goal under keeper Darren Buttery. Slazengers regrouped yet again and despite being slightly wasteful in possession their determination was there for everyone to see when Mark Kitchen scored his second of the day with a well taken penalty corner and when Ian Hedges added his second of the day the scores were level with only a couple of minutes left to play.
It was left to Rob Whawell to score a fortunate winner when a Slazenger attack looked to have broken down and the keeper was expecting to watch the ball harmlessly cross the backline only to see Rob gratefully reverse sweep the ball carefully into an unguarded net. Final score 5-4.
