Mens 2nds (2) vs. (1) Huddersfield 2nd’s
Slazengers mens 2nd team made it two wins from two with a deserved 2-1 victory away at Huddersfield Dragons. Huddersfield were the stronger side during the early exchanges but it was Slazengers who took the lead when Asad Baig fired home a penalty corner. Slazengers were bouyed by this and put Huddersfield under further pressure and doubled their lead with an excellent team goal.
Some quick exchanges between the midfield found Baig who thread a ball through for Ben Jackson on the right wing. He attacked the circle and drew the keeper before playing in Sam Haig to finish in an open net giving Slazengers a 2-0 halftime lead. Slazengers were put under pressure early in the 2nd half and Huddersfield pulled one back when Slazengers couldn’t clear a penalty corner. Slazengers didn’t let their heads drop however and came close to a 3rd when Ben Graham’s shot came back off the post but still did enough to hold on for the win. Sam Haigh took the man of the match award followed closely by Ben Stevenson.
Mens 3rd’s (1) vs (1) Doncaster 6th’s
Slazenger’s mens thirds travelled to Doncaster with a team depleted of regular players and had to call in a few fourth team members to make up numbers and assist.However it was clear from the off that this was no disadvantage and Slazenger’s were the better team completely dominating the majority of the first half. Plenty of possession, good passing and attacks on goal ensured that Doncaster were always on the back foot.
The efforts of the team paid off 20 minutes in when Brian Johnson scored putting Slaz in a deserved winning position. The first half continued with most of the possession being with Slaz and plenty of breaks forward but unfortunately 5 minutes before half time Doncaster managed an attack on goal and utilised it well by levelling the game 1-1. In the second half Slazenger’s continued to dominate the game even more so with some solid defending from the back ensuring swift repossession whenever Doncaster did manage a break. This allowed for Slazenger’s barrage of attacks with some good midfield work utilising the flanks, creating attempts on goal and winning countless short corners. Slaz should have gone 2-1 up late in the second halve when a shot from Brian Johnson was kicked away from goal by a Doncaster player resulting in a penalty, however it proved to be just “one of those days” when it was saved by the keeper.
Slazenger’s did all they could to win this game but unfortunately it was not meant to be and Slaz could just not convert the many chances created despite their best efforts. Andrew Birkett and Timothy Carr In particular had a frustrating game with numerous near misses from their many attempts on goal. The final score ended 1-1 but this by no means reflected the performance of the players or the balance of the match.
A well played game by Slazenger’s mens thirds with lots of positive play and attitude from each player. Man of the match went to Brian Johnson from the fourths but it needs to be said that James Armatage and Dan Cass also from the fourth team stepped up, dug in and had solid games along with all the players.
Ladies 2nds (3) vs. (1) Kingston Upon Hull 2nd’s
Despite a forecast for snow and ice the Hobury pitch was declared fit. Slazengers started strongly, moving the ball with purpose. The determination of the forward players put pressure on the Hull defence, keeping them on the back foot. Hull managed to clear their lines with some strong hitting, but an interception by Stacey Drake was fired to Karen Woodhead, who beat her marker and set up Amy Brereton for the first goal. Hull reacted with some strong play resulting in a short corner. The first shot was blocked, but a deflection took the ball past the keeper, to equalise seconds before half time.
The second half was even with both teams creating scoring opportunities. However, it was Slazengers who took the lead with Amy driving down the right, skillfully bypassing the defender and crossing for Karen to angle the ball past a stranded keeper. The third came from a short corner, slipped to Diana Jones, whose slap shot beat the defence. Hull upped the pressure but could not penetrate the defensive wall of Jess, Nicole, Stacey and Lisa Goalkeeper.
Player: Amy Brereton
Boys Under 12’s
It was a case of ‘Rock On, Tommy’ as Slazengers under-12s won promotion back to the top division of the Yorkshire Youth Hockey League ahead of the end-of-season finals day in April.
Tommy Randle scored four of the Slaz boys’ seven goals as they finished runners-up to Sheffield in the six-team second tier after relegation in the previous month’s seven-a-side tournament.
Two of Randle’s goals came in the opening match against Driffield, with Alex Stacey assisting both and adding one of his own in a 3-1 victory.
A 0-0 draw against York followed but Slazengers then won the next 2-1 against Doncaster. Stacey set up Randle again for the opener and then, after keeper Aidan Coughtrey had made a series of saves to preserve the lead, Stacey finished off his own bludgeoning run with a spectacular reverse-stick strike to double the lead. Doncaster pulled one back but could not find an equaliser.
Randle converted again against Ben Rhydding 2nds after Stacey’s initial shot had been saved and Frazer Cass made the final score 2-0 after a shot from a short corner was only half cleared.
The final game against Sheffield would determine which side finished top of the round-robin group and unfortunately Slazengers appeared to switch off as they conceded three goals without reply in rapid succession.
The 3-0 defeat was tough on the team after they had battled well all tournament in the blizzard conditions at Weetwood in Leeds, with Lewis Killey, Sam Alderson and Joe Minchella also impressing throughout an impressive Slazengers display.
