Mens 1st’s (3) vs. (3) Leeds Adel 1st’s
The firsts set out well against this weeks opposition, keen to make up for a bumpy fixture the week prior. From the start it was clear this was going to be a hard fought game, made even more tough from the absence of several strong players.
The first twenty minutes Slazengers looked the most convincing team in attack, however Adel had several players that looked dangerous going forwards, resulting in them scoring a well worked goal. Slazengers continued to battle their way up the pitch and stole the lead at half time, 2-1, with both goals coming from open play. Ian Hedges getting the first, neatly finding the top corner with a close range flick and Richard Tuddenham capitalising on a fantastic through ball, allowing him to use his open stick power strike straight into the bottom right hand corner.
Slazengers were under no disillusion at half time that the pressure would come piling forwards from the opposition. Luckily this pressure allowed Paul Wiper to make a well worked break forward, giving and then receiving the ball to the left of the goal before finding the left hand corner with a crisp strike.
At this point the tides turned, Adel began to find rhythm in their attack. Slazenger’s defence held resolute for as long as possible before at attacker found space, leaving Adam Drake in his wake and hitting a reverse stick shot over the sliding keeper. The pressure continued after the goal which inevitably lead to another. A drag flick corner caught the inside of the the keepers glove and bobbled into Matthew Birketts corner.
Final score 3-3. Slazengers will feel that it was a point gained, rather than 2 lost. Man of the Match, Jimmy Swindon with an excellent and commanding display in the middle. Let’s not talk about the idiot who found himself in the bin, still much needed discipline and maturity needed from that one, his antidisestablishmentarianism attitude let the team down.
Mens 2nd’s (4) vs. (0) Rotherham 2nd’s
Slazengers mens 2nd team continued their recent good form with a 4-0 win away at Rotherham 2’s. The match was even during the early encounters but Slazengers took the lead when Ted Richardson pounced on a loose ball to fire the opener. Rotherham replied and would have equalised but for an excellent goal line clearance from Tristan Whittle and some strong defensive work all round. Slazengers improved and doubled their lead with Richardson grabbing his 2nd from a short corner.
Rotherham were clearly buoyed for the 2nd half and immediately went on the attack only to be thwarted by another goal line clearance. The loose ball was picked up by Slazengers who quickly broke down field, a fast flowing move resulted in Ben Jackson getting Slazengers 3’rd. Rotherham could have let their heads go down but didn’t and continued to put Slazengers under pressure but some assured midfield play by Slazengers kept Rotherham’s possession to a minimum. Slazengers 4th came through Jake Barras who produced an excellent finish from Ben Jackson’s cross.
Both fullbacks, Matt Feather and Tristan Whittle were excellent for Slazengers but it was Tristan who just nicked the man of the match award. With no league game on Saturday, Slazengers will look to continue their good form in the next round of the cup on Sunday.
Mens 3rd’s (9) vs. (0) Lindum 6th’s
Keen to keep up their impressive start to the season going unbeaten in the league and the cup, Slazengers 3rd team had a long journey to Lincoln based Lindum 6th’s.
With a couple key players missing Captain Simon Taylor had to play some of the lads out of position. However, this did not stop them from putting on a show when they came into the break 3-0 up. There were two great team goals being finished off by Sam Haigh and Ben Stevenson and also a powerful strike from a short corner by Paul Johnson.
With a lot of confidence about them the lads came out into the second half looking to secure their victory. They created many chances and displayed a lot of superb passing and moving throughout. This great team performance and shear domination lead to them scoring 6 more goals in the second half finishing the game off at 9-0; Dave Gascoigne, Mark Kitchen, Andy Fisher, Scott Carruthers along with a second for both Paul Johnson and Sam Haigh.
Man of the match went to Sam Haigh for his great performance bagging two goals whilst playing out of position.
Mens 4th’s (0) vs. (7) Wakefield 6th’s
It was to be Slaz 4s first home game of the season, and the home team were looking forward to it. Little did we know what was in store in the shape of the Wakefield No 10 who was to score 6 goals, and set up the 7th. This said it wasn’t all doom and gloom. The Home team did compete well for large sections of the game, and did make their own chances; alias we just couldn’t convert these chances to goals.
In a game where it would have been easy for home team heads to go down, it’s worth mentioning the team remained buoyant and positive to the final whistle, and more importantly to the Bar after the game. Dare I say we even finished the second half has strong as Wakefield.
Dean Minchella and Brian Johnson do deserve a mention for some lovely angled movement and play during the game, keep it up. Dean Minchella and Josh Dunston tied for man of Match (Well Done)
The final score was a slightly flattering 0 -7 to Wakefield 6th’s.
Ladies 1st’s
The ladies 1st team travelled to Driffield 1st’s this weekend.
Unfortunately it was Driffield who dominated the game from the start. With some well executed short corners the score was 3:0 at half time. The defence continued to battle but despite their best efforts and “golden toes” GK Lisa Chapplle making many great saves, they were unable to keep Driffield from scoring further and Slaz came away defeated. MVP Charlotte Gunn (CM)
Ladies 2nd’s
In a first half where Slazengers dominated possession, they were unfortunately caught out on three occasions when Driffield 2nd’s had quick attacking breaks. Dispite some good saves from Lizzie Tunstall and some great attacking play, the team found themselves down by three goals at half time. Slazengers kept working hard to build play, and Hannah Field scored their only goal of the game from a short corner. Player of the match was Naomi Frith.
Ladies 3rd’s
Slazenger ladies 3s travelled to Sheffield to take on Chapeltown 2nd’s in an early afternoon fixture. The first half started positively for Slazengers with good passing and possession applying pressure to the home team goal. Despite this Slazengers were unable to get on the score sheet and went into the half time break with a goalless scoreline.
The second half brought even more pressure by Slazengers and with it a number of chances that needed the finishing touch for Slaz to take the lead, but unfortunately the Chapeltown keeper was quick off the line and thwarted any chance of a goal. At the other end, Slazengers defence remained strong and in control leaving the slaz keeper with very little to do.
The game ended in a goalless draw with Slazengers unlucky not to take away all 3 points despite dominating the game and maintaining the pressure in Chapeltown’s D. It does however continue to be a positive start to the season which holds a lot of promise for youngsters Abigail Collins, Emily Saxton and joint players of the match Gaby Giggal and Lucy Howarth.
Ladies 4th’s
Ladies 4th team – home vs Wakefield 5 – lost 5:1. Strong start to the game and we continue to welcome new players to the team. Josie Hughes scored.
