Mens 1st’s (2) vs. (4) Thirsk & Malton 1st’s
This weekend’s long drive North to play the recently aggregated Thirsk & Malton hockey club brought an unceremonious end to a run of form that had brought the Mens 1st team to the top of the league.
The firsts were up against it from the start on Saturday with a greatly weakened defence – Adam Drake was suffering from a master strain of man flu, and Philip Midgley was MIA. Adding to this Thirsk & Malton clearly had a game plan to get bodies behind the ball and frustrate the Slazenger attack. A game plan the North Yorkshire conglomerate stuck to doggedly forcing mistakes that offered them the first short corner and subsequent drag flick goal. This theme continued throughout the first half with further defence errors being capitalised upon. Slazenger got their act together in the second half and with goals from James Swindon and Richard Tuddingham the gap began to close. Unfortunately, despite pressure on the Thirsk & Malton goal, and cheers from the Slazenger traveling supporters, time would run out on the Men’s 1st before the recovery was complete. The game ended Slazenger Men’s 1st 2 – Thirsk & Malton 1st 4. Slazenger play Adel at home next weekend.
Mens 2nd’s (4) vs. (1) Chapeltown 2nd’s
Slazengers Mens 2nd team got off the mark on Saturday with a convincing 4-1 victory at home to Chapeltown 2’s. Slazengers started brightly with some controlled possession and good build up play and got off the mark thanks to Asad Baigs smart finish. Slazenengers continued to play good passing hockey and soon doubled their lead when Matt Green finished off a short corner routine. Chapeltown did threaten on occasions but a strong defensive performance kept the score 2-0 at the half time break. Slazengers continued their good play in the 2nd half with further goals coming from Jake Barras and Simon Randall who’s pace saw him finish a move at the back post that nobody expected him to get to. Chapeltown grabbed a late consolation but it wasn’t enough to deny Slazengers the 3 points.
Mens 2nd’s (6) vs. (0) Leeds 6th’s (CUP)
Sunday saw Slazengers entertain Leeds 6’s in the first round of the cup with Slazengers progressing thanks to an excellent 6-0 win. Goals came from Ian Hedges (2), Ben Jackson (2), Asad Baig and Matt Chilton. Harry Gunning took the man of the match award thanks to some excellent midfield play which saw him create a number of chances and hit the cross bar himself.
Mens 3rds (7) vs. (0) Huddersfield Dragons 4th’s
Slazenger 3rds hosted Huddersfield Dragons on Saturday looking to make it 3 wins out of 3. An early breakthrough by centre forward Tim Carr gave the home side the lead, and they were nearly further in front at half time but a well worked short corner routine was disallowed. Some fine saves from young goalkeeper Harry Buttery combined with early second half goals for Scott Caruthers, Dave Gascoigne and a second from Tim Carr killed off any chance of a Huddersfield fightback. There was still time for Darren Buttery to grab 3 goals in 4 minutes late on to secure a well deserved 7-0 victory and keep Slazenger top of the league. The man of the match award went to Andy Fisher for his performance in midfield. Next week Slazenger travel to Lindum hockey club in Lincolnshire.
Mens 3rds (3) vs. (0) Hull University 3rd’s (CUP)
Unbeaten slazengers 3rd’s hosted Hull university in the first round of the Yorkshire 3rd team cup. Slazengers started strong with an early goal after a short corner routine was completed by Dave Gascoigne firing the ball into the back of the net. Hull came back strong but the man of match goalkeeper Harry Buttery made some spectacular saves keeping the Hull attack out. At the start of second half Hull continued to press for an equaliser, but the hard work of a back line of Gascoigne, Ben Stevenson, Mark Kitchen and Captain Simon Taylor, along with Buttery kept Slaz ahead. With a solid defence, Slaz again pressed on; Paul Johnson firing the ball into the D as a miss control by Andy Fisher flicked the ball into the air, before neatly smashing it into the back of the net. Hull continued to press, only for Buttery again to keep the score-sheet clean.With minutes to go, Andrew Birkett neatly slotted the ball through to Fisher who again was in the right place to steerinto the bottom hand corner, wrapping up a 3-0 win.
Mens 4th’s (1) vs. (3) Brigg 4th’s
Slaz 4 travelled away to Brigg for the second time this season hoping to repeat our earlier first game of the season win other them. From the first whistle it was clear this was a much improved Brigg squad, with a sprinkling of talented new players.
Slaz trailed by 3 – 0 at half time, and it was abundantly clear that if we were going to take anything at all out of this game we would need to pull a rabbit out of the hat. Dan Cass and Josh Dunston (DJ) showed a steely determination in the centre of the park during the second half. This would see them both in contention for man of the match.The back line of young James Armatage, and old boys Tony, Dean and Hayden did a sterling job repelling countless attacks.
Alas the rabbit wasn’t forthcoming, and only a last minute goal from Steve Johnson knocked the smile from the Brigg keeper face, and the chance of a clean sheet. Whilst the final score was 4-1 to Brigg it would be a mistake to say we didn’t take or learn anything from this game. To a man everyone battled hard and showed a determination / commitment for the team which is commendable. On another day these are the qualities that can, and will win future games. Man of the Match: Dan Cass (well done)
Mens 5th’s (2) vs. (2) Bradford
A determined and gutsy performance by Slazengers development team saw them play out a 2-2 draw at Bradford against a very skillful and we’ll drilled Bradford team. Great games were had by debutants Matt and Josh green. Great work rate by tom Hyde in midfield and a goal for man of match will Gascoigne. Other goal scorer Davy Ramsdale. Another fantastic team effort.
Ladies 1st’s (0) v (5) Huddersfield Dragons 1st’s
Slaz turned up in spirit ready to go out against Huddersfield dragons but with a lot of injured players the team wasn’t up to its usual strength. The Huddersfield side were strong and determined to beat the Slaz side, who had beaten them during a friendly at the start of the season. Both team battled half during the first half and there were many opportunities for both teams. It was dragons who managed to put the first goal away.
The battled continued and Slaz defence (Lisa Minchella, Donna Slack, Andrea Wallace, Charlotte Gunn and Nicole Fillingham) and GK Tracey were strong as ever trying to keep the dragon at bay but today wasn’t the day for Slaz and the dragons banged in 4 more goals in the second half. Man of the match Ellie Paige (CM).
Ladies 2nd’s (1) vs. (2) Huddersfield Dragons 2nd’s
Slazenger 2nd’s battled hard in the first half with strong play in midfield, and had many chances on goal, but failed to convert any. They found themselves 2-0 down at half time after Dragon’s broke quickly. Slazenger 2s went out in the second half showing great resilience and determination to pull the score back. They showed solid team work and were rewarded when Tuscany Mellor scored their only goal of the match. Player of the match went to Becca North.
