Slazengers Mens 2nd team had a double header this weekend. Saturday saw them travel to Leeds University 2’s and although putting in a below par performance, still came away with a 4-3 victory. Slazengers started well and created a number of opportunities but struggled to find the net when it seemed easier to score. The deadlock was eventually broken when Ted Richardson finished strongly on his reverse stick. Richardson grabbed his second shortly afterwards only for Leeds Uni to hit back straight away. Slazengers continued to battle and Richardson completed a first half hat trick to go into the break 3-1 up. The second half saw Leeds Uni immediately pull one back and then draw level mid way through the half. Slazengers were up against it for a while but managed to weather the storm and hit back with the winner shortly before full time, Simon Chamberlain withstanding a number of physical challenges before slotting home.
Sunday saw a much changed Slazengers 2’nd team travel to Lincoln for a cup fixture. The long journey and unfamiliar line up saw Slazengers struggle with Lincoln going 4-0 up inside the first 20 minutes. Slazengers could have been forgiven if their heads went down but they didn’t and began the fight back. Captain Ben Graham scored the 1st from a good short corner routine and Matt Stacey pulled another back after catching the Lincoln defense napping off a free hit. Graham grabbed his second before the break to go in at the half 4-3 down. Slazengers were eager to continue the fightback in the 2nd half and took the game to Lincoln, Graham completed his hat-trick off another short corner and Andy Birkett scored to put Slazengers in front for the first time in the game.
Lincoln were shocked into action and continued to introduce fresh legs from their subs bench, a luxury Slazengers couldn’t afford having only 11 players, and managed to draw level meaning the game went to penalty flicks. A total of 20 flicks were taken, 10 of which were in sudden death and despite Slazengers keeper Daz Buttery making 3 saves, Lincoln managed to score the decisive flick to go through.
