Slazengers mens 2nd team had a double header last weekend, entertaining Sheffield Hallams Mens 5’s on Saturday before travelling to York University mens 2’s on Sunday.
Saturdays game saw Slazengers go down 5-2 to an excellent Sheffield Hallam side. Hallam started brightly and immediately put Slazengers under pressure, playing a high press which Slazengers struggled to bypass. Slazengers were caught on the ball a number of times and found themselves 2-0 down midway through the first half. Slazengers pulled a goal back through Matt Green only for Hallam to add 2 more leaving it 4-1 at halftime. Some harsh words were spoken at half time and Slazengers came out determined to give Hallam more of a game and did exactly that. The 2nd half was a much more even affair with Hallam increasing their lead only for Slazengers to pull another back through Simon Randall after good work from Jack Mumford. Slazenger keeper Tom Murray shared the man of the match award with Matt Green.
Sunday saw Slazengers travel to York University looking to avenge a defeat earlier in the season and in the end, were very disappointed to come away with a 2-2 draw. York played good hockey, passing the ball well and playing a high press but were regularly caught out by Slazengers individual skills and pace in attack. York did take the lead but Slazengers drew level through Jack Mumford following a well worked short corner. Slazengers continued to press and it was left to the York keeper to make some excellent saves and a defender with a top notch goal line clearance to keep it level at the break. The second half saw an even game but with the Slazengers keeper and defence rarely troubled, it was the attack that took centre stage, Ben Graham played in Dan Atkinson who unselfishly squared for Mumford to net his second. As Slazengers looked to play out the game, there was still time for controversy after York were awarded a hotly disputed short corner. From this they scored an even more hotly disputed equalizer and despite numerous protests from the Slazengers defenace, the umpire allowed the goal to stand. Man of the match was shared between Jack Mumford and Tom Pitchforth who was excellent in midfield.
