Mens 1st’s – No Game
Mens 2nd’s (3) vs. (3) Huddersfield dragons 2nds.
Slazengers mens 2nd team returned from their Christmas break at home to Huddersfield on Saturday with the final score in an entertaining game being 3-3. Slazengers started slowly and were duly punished when Huddersfield scored from a short corner however captain Ben Graham quickly got them back level, nicking the ball from the Huddersfield defender to break clear and score. The sides were level at the break but Slazengers started the 2nd half strongly and took the lead through an Asad Baig short corner strike. Slazengers continued to press and scored their 3rd when Ian Hedges found himself unmarked at the back post for an easy finish. Huddersfield weren’t to be denied however and fought back well for a draw.
Mens 3rd’s (6) vs. (2) Doncaster 6th’s
The mens 3rd team were at home against Doncaster for their first match of 2017. Slaz got off to a strong start going 3-0 up with goals from Tim Carr, Scott Carruthers and Sam Haigh. However Doncaster pulled one back before half time with the score at 3-1 at half time.
The lads came out into the second half ready to bring a win home. This looked likely as Slaz won a penalty flick which was tucked away by Tim Carr to get his second of the game. Doncaster came back fighting pulling the score to 4-2 but Slaz kept going and grabbed another 2 excellent goals from Scott Carruthers for his second and Owen Bland on his debut for the 3rds.
The game ended at 6-2 to a strong Slazenger team looking in great form for 2017. Man of the match went to Scott Carruthers.
Mens 4th’s game cancelled – Sheffield conceeded.
Mens 5th’s (3) vs (1) Rotherham
Slaz started the match (and the New Year) brightly. The team was a balance of (very) young and some old, wise heads with the young ones hitting Rotherham hard and early, only for the old ones to let them down! Goals from Will Gascoigne and youngest player Luke Minchella got Slaz to half time 2-1 up. The second half saw Slazengers press hard, Joe Minchella unlucky with many chances but finally getting the assist for Davy Ramsdale to extend his lead as the sides top scorer. Final score 3-1 to Slazenger. It was a tie in the ballot for Man of the Match between Will Gascoigne and the Minchella Brothers (don’t know here they parked the ice cream van) – but casting vote gave it to young Luke MInchella.
Ladies 1st’s – no game
Ladies 2nd’s (2) vs. (2) Skipton 1st’s
Slazengers attacked from the start, with Claire Dunstan scoring for them to take the lead. Skipton worked hard in the first half and dispite the best efforts of the Slazenger’s defence, Skipton went into half time 2-1 in the lead. Slazenger’s started strong again, with the forwards and midfield working together on the attack for Claire to score a second goal. Player of the match went to Gabby Giggal in midfield.
Ladies 3rd’s (0) vs. (1) Epworth 1st’s
Ladies 3s started 2017 in much the same vain as they had finished 2016 with yet another undeserved marginal defeat. Hoping their luck would change and expecting to take 3 points from this fixture against bottom of the league Epworth,Slaz started in high spirits determined to improve their league position and goal difference. However, despite everyone on the pitch giving 100% effort, 100% of the time, maintaining possession well and having numerous chances to score, again the visitors came away without a goal.
Unfortunately Epworth scored a lucky winner which joint player of the match Emma Eley got a stick to but was unable to clear. The ladies 3rd team now sit bottom of the league for the first time in a long time but remain positive that the goals and points will come and they will maintain a safe position in Div 5S.
Ladies 4th’s (0) vs. (3) Rotherham 2nd’s
The ladies 4th team faced Rotherham 2 at home resulting in a 3-0 loss for Slazengers. Rotherham proved to be a strong opponent, scoring their first goal within the first 10 minutes. Slazengers tried to even the score line with several attacking runs but unfortunately, Rotherham scored again leaving Slazengers 2-0 down at half time.
Slazengers were unlucky not to score in the second half with a superb run by Lucy Brereton and timely pass to Josie Hughes who took a shot but failed to hit the target. Rotherham had plenty more attempts to increase the goal difference but managed to get just one further goal past the keeper, and player of the match, Lideya Booth.
