Ladies 1st’s
Ladies 1st’s hosted Kingston Upon Hull 1st’s on Saturday. Hull sit comfortably 2nd in the table and it looked like Slaz were in for a tough afternoon, however in the end it was Hull who struggled and were lucky to hang on for a draw.
The renewed Slaz side had large chunks of possession and looked dangerous from the start, quickly taking the lead through Jessica Rudge. However Hull were a well organised outfit and counterattacked well, equalising within the 10 minute mark. The home midfield continued to work hard, with Hannah Field putting in a fantastic performance to hold posession and setting up Rudge netted her second, with Hull again equalising and taking the lead with 15 minutes left on the clock.
The home team went close several times with standout efforts from Helen Hough, Amy Brearton and Jessica Rudge, but it was Rudge who scored the equaliser, tipping in a cross at the back post. Slaz piled on the pressure for the win, but in the end the clock ran out.
Ladies 2nds
Slazengers went straight out on the attack this week and were rewarded when Claire Dunstan was left facing only the keeper, scoring early in the first half. Hull equalised shortly after dispite a strong Slazenger defence. Determined to take the lead again Slazengers attacked on the left and Abigail Collins scored to take the team into half time 2-1 in the lead. Refusing to settle, and continuing to challenge, Slazengers secured the win when Alex Gilbert scored from a short corner. Although Hull managed to pull a goal back late on Slazengers got the win they deserved. Final score 3-2. Player of the match was goal keeper Lisa Chappell who made many important and skillfull saves.
Ladies 3rd’s
Slaz ladies 3s were unfortunate to concede 4 goals against mid table Brigg this weekend in another game which did not reflect the scoreline.
From the outset the green army battled hard pressuring the opposition in the midfield where defensive centre mid Emma Eley displayed tremendous work rate chasing down the Brigg midfield and linking up well with Hannah Chilton on the left, whose drives down the left flank found Lauren Fealy in the spaces she had created. Together with Caro Schofield’s dominating centre mid attack and Lou Beever’s strong runs down the right, supported by defender Sarah Ritchey, forward Josie Hughes picked up some lovely passes and the Slaz attack were able to breach the Brigg defence on occasion but did not get much opportunity to shoot at goal as possession was lost and play was turned over.
At the other end the Slaz defence and midfield fought a valiant battle with Catreena Ferguson confidently and consistently applying pressure to the attacking forwards, forcing errors. Returning after a season out Mandy Lacey looked like she had never been away and continuously hassled the Brigg attack clearing danger on numerous occasions, despite injury. Unfortunately the green army were defeated as the Brigg forwards took their chances and put them away passed player of the match, keeper Gemma Wilson, who made some oustanding saves.
Slaz ladies 3s may have lost this battle but are determined they will not lose the war. With injuries and availability playing a part in the ladies section the 3rd team are hopeful they will be back to full strength following the half term slip date and finally get on the score sheet, which will see them start to move from the bottom of the table on goal difference. The team continue to display some skillful, tactical hockey, and the youngsters are gaining in confidence. Combined with 100% effort and commitment from the ladies and excellent coaching from Linda Stacey, Slaz ladies 3s remain positive about the season and maintaining their place in Div 4.
Mens 2nds
Slaz 2’s kept calm to come through a bumpy encounter and reach the semi finals the Yorkshire Division B Cup when they hosted Bradford 2nds on Sunday.
The game looked to be tough encounter for both teams, and it started that way. Bradford looked dangerous with some individual skill and quick attack, but Slaz also had a strength in midfield and looked quick. Bradford scored through a defensive slip within the first 10 minutes, however when Bradford suffered a slip in discipline, Slaz pounced and equalised through Asad Baig, followed up with a second when Ian Hedges set up Ben Jackson to score his first.
Going into the half, Slaz knew they would need to up their game to put the game beyond doubt however Bradford continued to suffer discipline problems and finding themselves a player down and on the back foot. Slaz continued to work hard, with Baig netting his second, and Ben Jackson neatly flicking the ball over the keeper to wrap up the result.
Mens 3rds
Slazenger men’s 3rds entertained Doncaster on Sunday hoping to extend their unbeaten start to the season in this Cup quarter final. Doncaster began the game on the front foot and took the lead after ten minutes. The early set back sparked Slaz into life and after going close with attempts from Paul Johnson and Dave Gascoigne the home side drew level through Andy Fisher popping up at the back post to tap it home.
Slazenger began the second half with much more composure and accuracy in their passing. The home sides dominance of possession was reward with man of the match Tim Carr firing the ball into the goal. Despite their efforts Slazenger couldn’t kill the game off and were punished when Doncaster equalised with two minutes to go.
The game went to penalties and unfortunately Slazenger lost 3-1 in the shoot out.
Girls U16’s
The u16 girls had a great start to the season when they travelled to Pocklington on Sunday.
In a hard fought game against an equally matched Wakefield team, both created chances to score but we’re unable to find the back of the net. There was some excellent defensive play from new girl Makayla Du Toit and saves from goal keeper Eleanor Cramp which helped keep the first game a 0:0 draw.
In their game against Northallerton, the girls were put under pressure in the first half and after another good defensive display were unlucky to concede a first half goal. The second half saw Slazengers come out more determined, attacking the Northallerton goal from the off. Excellent play down the right from Gabby Giggle created a number of chances until a well deserved goal was converted by Katie Minchella. Final score 1:1.