Last Week’s Match Reports
Men’s 1st’s (3) vs. (2) Thirsk & Old Malton 1st’s
It was a double header last weekend for Slazengers Men’s Firsts, Saturday saw the Ones at home to Thirsk & Old Malton and Sunday away at Sheffield bankers. A week earlier the Firsts were very lucky to salvage a win from a dismal away performance at bottom of the league York so they were determined to up their game for the home crowd Saturday.
For the first half of Saturdays performance the home spectators deserved a medal for endurance. It appeared the One’s were well and truly stuck in the same rut as the week before. The general Slazenger apathy combined with an extremely unlucky home goal from otherwise impressive Birkett saw the home team down by 2 goals at the midpoint. The all too familiar Chamberlain dressing down was clearly coming. The second half provided a little more substance, but only goals from Swindarn, Tuddenham, and Perry prevented the loss. The final score was three all.
In contrast Sundays away fixture at Sheffield Student City showcased some of the best hockey Slazenger Men’s Firsts have played in some weeks! It is fair to say that Sheffield provided the space, but Slazenger used that space masterfully. Excellent distribution and link up play could be seen across the forward positions but Man of the Match Dunstan stood out for sticking to the game plan faultlessly. Defensively the Firsts were tested at times but held the clean sheet for future goal line star Buttery. With goals again from Tuddenham, Swindeen, Perry, and Chilton the final score was six nill to Slazenger.
Men’s 2nd’s (2) vs. (2) Thirsk 2nd’s
Slazengers men’s 2nd team traveled to fellow strugglers Thirsk looking to get back to winning ways but in the end had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Slazengers started brightly and tested the Thirsk keeper on a number of occasions with no luck only for Thirsk to take the lead after some scrappy defending.
Buoyed by their goal, Thirsk pressed and grabbed a 2nd leaving it 2-0 at the break. Slazengers came back in the 2nd half and goals from Ben Graham and James Taylor, both assisted by Amir Khalil leveled the score. Both sides pressed for a winner but nobody could make the telling breakthrough. Man of the match went to Josh Swallow who had an excellent debut for the 2’s.
Mens 3rd’s (0) vs. (7) Chapeltown 3rd’s
After their previous meeting, Slazenger knew they were in for a tough game. They came out battling hard, but went down to two early goals. They could have easily given up at this point, but instead they were spurred on. Fantastic running from Alan Perry and Matt Banks through midfield kept the hope alive and Slazenger were able to push forwards and build their chances. Chapeltown were a well drilled side, and shone through, firing home two more before half time.
Slazenger came out fighting. Despite having lost one defender to injury, James Armitage and Mark Kitchen held solid at the back, never surrendering and pushing forward through Jack Lee and man-of-the match, captain Simon Taylor they gave Chapeltown a few brief scares, but were unable to convert the chances into goals. Chapeltown were a strong force and kept pushing forward, managing to find the back of the net in the second half. Keeper Harry Buttery performed well, pulling off several fantastic saves to frustrate the Chapeltown forwards. Despite the scoreline, Slazenger fought bravely to the end in a fantastic all-round team performance showing how far they have come since being promoted at the end of last season. Final score 7-0.
Mens 3rd’s (2) vs. Sheffield University Bankers 6th’s
Slazenger travelled to Sheffield on a cold Sunday morning knowing that anything less than a point could be costly come the end of the season against one of the sides locked into a relegation battle with them.
A scrappy first half saw both sides have chances Scott Carruthers narrowly missing out on a one on one opportunity and Tim Carr forcing the Sheffield keeper to tip one over the bar. Harry Buttery produced fine saves to help the visitors while captain Simon Taylor used his experience to steady a weakened defensive unit.
The second half was an excellent affair, Josh Swallow and Jack Lee doing a good job stopping the home team from going forwards. However it was Sheffield who opened the scoring from a lucky short corner routine but Slazenger showed great desire and almost from the restart went down field and young Darren Buttery tapped the ball home to equalise.
The game wasn’t over as both teams launched attacks after attack. Sheffield took the lead again when a defensive mix up allowed their forward to poke the ball home from close quarters. The Addingford side didn’t come to lose and were level again within minutes as Paul Johnson, who had spent the night in hospital due to horrific facial wounds only the day before, fired the ball home from a well rehearsed short corner routine.
The final 10 minutes saw both sides go close man of the match Carr battling in midfield and creating defensive splitting passes. Even the 40 year old veteran Roo Birkett was cannonballing into the Sheffield defenders in the final moments, spilling blood as he did to try and find an allusive winning goal.
A good point for a side weakened by loss of key players in midfield for this Sunday game but one in which all can be proud of their efforts. Xx
Men’s 4th’s (0) vs. (7) Halifax 4th’s
Slaz 4s travelled to Halifax this week as they looked to better their result from last week and get there first win of the new calendar year.
The opening exchanges of the match were very even as Slaz looked to break on the counter in order to create chances. However, it seemed Slaz couldn’t get the final pass to create that defining chance on goal. Halifax managed to get into the circle on numerous occasions and scored through 3 short corners to lead at the break. Slaz felt there efforts were hard done by and they didn’t deserve to be losing by such a score line at half time.
After the break Halifax remained on top as Slaz heads started to drop which created some more chances for the home side. As Slaz tried to push forward in order to get back in the game, it left the away side vulnerable at the back and Halifax managed to score 4 more in the second half through brilliant finishing.
Man of the match went to Eddie Kendall for great efforts in both halves of the pitch. Next week Slaz entertain Bradford at home at 3pm.
Men’s 5th’s (0) vs. (1) Ben Rhydding 7th’s
Slaz were unfortunate to come off worst in this high-paced, keenly fought, even contest. Slaz had the best of the first half, with a number of penalty corners but they couldn’t convert. Rhydding were just on top in the second half with strong attacks, but the game looked to be heading for a draw. With 10 to go Slaz’s usually good marking was found wanting, leaving keeper Aidan Coughtry on his own against 3 attackers and the inevitable goal resulted. Slaz threw everything at the opponents for the remaining minutes but to no avail, Final score 0-1. Adam Searle excelled in Slaz midfield but the green army man of the match was keeper Aidan Coughtry for keeping us in it during the second half onslaught.
Ladies 1st’s (0) vs. (4) Harrogate 2nd’s
The ladies 1st team travelled to Harrogate on Saturday hoping to continue their unbeaten run.
The first half saw an evenly matched game with chances on goal for both teams. Slaz maintained the majority of possession and created many goal scoring opportunities, but the post and the crossbar played their part in denying them a well earned goal. At the other end, Harrogate were able to hit the target midway through the half and again on the stroke of half time.
Harrogate started the second half with increased confidence and pressed the defence hard. A well executed short corner put the Home team 3 ahead and within minutes a forth had been scored. Slaz continued to play their game and caused many difficulties for the Harrogate defence. However, when a stunning run from Paige beating the keeper, lead to the ball hitting the backboard was disallowed it became clear that it would not be Slaz’s day.
The unbeaten run came to an end with the final score 4:0
Ladies 1st’s (0) vs. (4) Wakefield 3rd’s
The disappointment of Saturdays game had to be left behind on Sunday as a rearranged league game and local derby with Wakefield 3’s was played at Slazenger’s.
It was clear from the start that both teams were hoping to take the 3 points away from the game. However it was Slaz who took the lead half way through the first 35 with a well drilled short corner putting Field on the scoresheet.
Wakefield fought back and gained the equaliser just before half time.
A second half clean sheet was well earned with Wilson making some amazing saves, frustrating the Wakefield forward line. At the other end Slaz had a number of chances but the winner seemed to be eluding them until a shot from mini Minch was stopped on the line by a defenders foot. Stepping up to the spot, mini was able to get her name on the score sheet when she flicked the ball past the keeper.
Final score 2:1 to Slaz.
Special mention and thanks to the fabulous umpires Al and Sue, and to Papa T for stepping in and providing hospitalities after the game.
Next week sees Slaz take on top of the table Adel at home with a 12 o clock push back.
Ladies 3rd’s (8) vs. (0) Chapeltown Ladies 3rd’s
The Slazenger’s Ladies 3s were away at a chilly Chapeltown last week and came prepared to make a good win.
Although we didn’t have much time to warm up due to the previous game being delayed, Slazenger’s Ladies 3s hit it off with a good start of the game as Caro Scofield scored in the first five minutes. Followed by a second goal from a short corner; finished by Josie Hughes hanging by the goal.
Natasha Wiper, Lauren Fealy, Justine Birkett and Diane Jones kept the ball from leaving our attacking half in the midfield throughout most of the game. Natasha Wiper managed to make sure one of Aleks Karpinska’s strikes hit the back of the net adding another goal to her tally.
It was 3-0 at half time and the Slazenger’s Ladies 3’s needed to score a couple more goals to secure top of the league.
Aleks Karpinska didn’t disappoint on her return since the Christmas break scoring a hat trick in the second half, Caro Scofield and Josie Hughes scored another goal too taking the Ladies 3’s to 8-0.
The defence of Emma Eley, Maisie Fallas, Emily Entwistle had a quiet game but when the action hit their third they quickly pinged the ball back up the wing using the width of the pitch and helping Lizzie Tunstall (GK) with a clean sheet.
Ashleigh Jones made her Ladies 3rd team debut against Chapeltown holding a strong position down the middle, making her player of the match. Final Score Slazenger’s Ladies 3 8 – 0 Chapeltown Ladies 3
Ladies 4th’s (2) vs. (4) Doncaster 4th’s
Slazenger’s ladies 4th Team faced Doncaster’s 4th Team at home this week with Doncaster coming straight out on the attack. Slazengers defence were kept busy with Sara Chilton and Sarah Allen picking up players early to minimise the impact but it wasn’t enough and Doncaster were successful in their attempts and scored. A second goal in quick succession was more than disappointing but allowed the Slazenger team to identify the opponents stronger players and turn the game around with Slazengers increasingly on the attack. Despite several shots on goal, the ladies left the pitch at half time 2:0 down.
Within minutes of the start of the second half, midfield pushed up to support a Slazenger attack. Julie Bailey received the ball, watched the keeper come off her line and slipped it to Cherry Bedford who put the ball in the net. Slazengers continued to battle to equalise but it wasn’t to be and in a repeat if the first half, Doncaster again scored 2 further goals in quick succession. The 4:1 score didn’t reflect the Slazengers efforts with Lily Gilbert pulling a ball back from the line to narrowly miss and Mia and Maisie Davis seeking every opportunity to score.
With 5 minutes to go, Sue Hope made a run, taking out the Doncaster defence as she did and with perfect timing, hit the ball hard past the keeper and into the net.
A 4:2 defeat for the Slazenger side. Player awarded to Lauren Hattersley (keeper)
Slazengers’ first game was against York, proving to be the stronger attacking team from the whistle. Despite the robust defence of Kiki Barden-Nash and Tobias Hoyle (and York not even having a goalkeeper), the cold Slazenger team were left beaten 3-0.A more equally matched team from Sheffield made for a more enjoyable match to watch. Owen Coughtree found a new position on the right wing to be his calling. Despite several attempts on goal by Harry Ashford and Curtis Jones the result ended 0-0. A similarly matched team were the Leeds A team. Despite giving away 2 short corners, Slazengers held their own and didn’t concede until later in the match. With a debut from Dan Bailey in goal, many saves were made but 2 slipped passed him. Slazengers came back strong to equalise 2-2.
Again with a well-balanced opponent Wakefield B Team, Slazengers stayed strong. A missed shot by Harry Ashford put the pressure on, but sadly Slaz let a goal in a few minutes before the end leaving it 0-1. The final game was against Bingley Bees A Team. A controversial decision by the umpire allowed a goal from outside the ‘D’ to be upheld. Despite evidently trying their best, Slaz lost gracefully 0-1.