Weekly Update
An update of this weeks fixtures and last weeks results
Last Week’s Results
In the week where the senior section have scored 111 goals collectively, the Men’s 2nd’s and Ladies 4th’s share “Team of the Week” for both racking up 6-1 victories at the weekend. Notable mentions also go to Ladies 1st’s for their first win of the season, and Men’s 1st’s for their second clean sheet of the season.
Top Goalscorers
8 Goals – Caro Schofield
7 Goals – Jimmy Swinden, Asad Baig,
5 Goals – Will Gascoigne, Ben Jackson, Richard Tuddenham, Natasha Wiper, Linda Stacey
Last Week’s Match Reports
Mens 1st’s (4) vs. (0) Hull University 1st’s
Mens 1st’s hosted Hull University 1st’s before the full brunt of Storm Brian had arrived. The game started quickly, without a drop of rain in sight, and while the students may have shouted the loudest, it was the home side who were in control. Some steady, controlled hockey across the park gave the hosts a commanding position, and it wasn’t long before Slaz were 2-0 up, with goals from Jimmy Swinden and Richard Tuddenham. The visitors settled, and soaked up much of the pressure, with several shots from the home side going painfully wide, helping the students keep the deficit to 2.
In the second half, as the rain began to fall, the home side continued to enjoy the lions share of possession; moving the ball. However, the students came out stronger, held firm against the green shirts. As the rain strengthened, so did the home side; a breakaway attack was only stopped with a foul, allowing Richard Tuddenham slot away his second from the penalty spot. Shortly afterwards, Swinden finished off the job with his second from open play, carving through the midfield to finish in style, putting Slaz 4-0 up at the final whistle.
Mens 2nd’s (6) vs. (1) Harrogate 4th’s
Slazengers mens 2nd team travelled to Harrogate for a 4.30 push in horrendous conditions with Storm Brian making the playing conditions somewhat challenging. Harrogate started the brighter with a number of skillful players looking for openings but Slazengers held firm in defence and soon turned attack into defence. The opening goal came when Mark Hammond picked the ball up outside the ‘D’, drove at the defence and beat the advancing keeper with a deft touch.
Harrogate continued to press and work hard to close Slazengers down but Ben Jackson doubled the lead with a deflected finish and Hammond grabbed his 2nd finishing after the keeper made the initial save following a short corner. Slazengers continued to press and great work from Amir Khalil found Ian Hedges for an easy finish to make it 4. Slazengers knew it was their day when elder statesman Matt Green got on the score sheet following another short corner save to go in at half time 5-0.
Harrogate came out following the break with the wind at their backs and looking to get back into the game and did so almost immediately pulling a goal back inside the first couple of minutes. That was the only goal they were to get however as Harry Buttery in the Slazengers goal made a couple of crucial saves at key moments and when Ben Graham got Slazengers 6th, it was game over, Slazengers running out 6-1 winners. Matt Green took the man of the match award for a solid display in defence and his 1st goal for many years.
Men’s 4th’s (0) vs. (4) Sheffield Hallam 7s
Slaz went up against a tricky Sheffield Hallam side who were on top from the first whistle. Slaz defended well but eventually conceded and went 1-0 down at half time. In the second half Slaz started to push forward more and looked for an equaliser but this let to their downfall at the back as Hallam scored 3 more to finish as winners. Man of the match goes to Dan Cass who provided some good play through midfield.
Mens 4ths (0) vs. (3) Wakefield 6th’s
Slaz looked to beat local rivals Wakefield in the cup on Sunday. The home team started well and looked to score that first pivotal goal but couldn’t finish one of many chances. Wakefield managed to grab a goal just before half time. Slaz looked to push forward more and create more opportunities but couldn’t string together a lethal combination of passes in and the around the circle. They eventually pushed forward too much that Wakefield scored two nor both on the break to win 3-0. Man of the match went to Ben Stevenson who defended very well and played out well from the back.
Mens 5th’s (0) vs. (1) Bradford 5th’s
When the age of three players on your side adds up to more than the total of the whole other team you may have a problem – but not one that those three might admit to! Bradford visited Slaz with a pool of very talented youngsters and some top class players who had only just earned the right be called adults. The skill level and speed that Bradford played at presented Slaz with such an overwhelming challenge, that no one can remember anything about the game, except that we defended until we couldn’t stand and were thrilled to only lose 1-0. Man of the Match was Joe Minchella. Final score Slaz 0-1 Bradford
Ladies 1st’s (3) vs. (2) City of York 2nd’s
The ladies 1’s traveled to York this weekend chasing their first win of the season. Determined from the start, Slaz quickly went ahead with a well executed short corner tapped in by Mini-Minch. Maintaining their shape and structure Slaz dominated the first half. York did manage to pull one back and the half time score was 1:1
In a change from the norm, the start of the second half saw York driving at the Slaz defence and quickly took the lead. Undeterred, Slaz bounced back and a second conversion at a short corner was tipped in by Bates. At 2:2 Slaz applied the pressure, passing the ball around they were unlucky and missed a number of chances. With 2 minutes to go Katie Minchella received the ball at the top of the D, turning quickly she put Monday nights training into practice and hammered the ball into the bottom corner for her second. Final score 3:2; The first win in far too long they have to be strong in contention for team of the week!!!!!
Ladies 2nd’s (1) vs. (9) Hull University 1st’s
If there is ever a game where the score didn’t reflect the game, this is certainly it. The first half saw Slaz dominate against a good Hull University team, a combination of being unlucky and missed opportunities saw Slaz undeservedly trailing 2-0 at half time. Aside from not scoring, it was certainly the best half of hockey – from defence, midfield and attack – this season so far.
The second half saw Hull have a great 15-20 minute period with some good team goals and finishes, together with a couple of dubious ones, including a back stick goal and a ball trickling over the backline while defender Ritchey’s stick was being forced against the goal post by the attacker’s stick making it impossible to prevent the goal. A further goal was conceded after a harsh penalty flick was awarded, had a short been awarded instead the strong defence would have been sure to have been able to clear. The game was taken away from Slaz, although a well worked team goal finished by Mush was fully deserved. A harsh result, but a significantly improved performance.
Ladies 3rd’s (1) vs. (1) Sheffield Hallam 5th’s
Slazenger’s Ladies 3s made an early morning start at Abbeydale Park, Sheffield to meet Sheffield Hallam 5 in a 10am pushback. Slazenger’s were looking to keep their great start to the season with what was, so far, an unbeaten record. Slazenger’s welcomed back defensive centre midfielder Emily Chason, and right wing Sue Hope and with them the hope it would spur them forward to another successful away result.
The first half was one which saw Slazenger’s create a number of chances in the Sheffield ‘D’, despite an old injury reoccurring early on for Caro Schofield, continued to find herself in goal scoring opportunities, only to be halted by the Sheffield Hallam keeper. Slazenger’s played fluid hockey with the ball smoothly making its way from the back to the front with a number of quick passes and good running. The half time break saw a goalless tally and the second half brought with it the hope that the game was for the taking for Slazenger’s.
However, the second half saw a slightly rejuvenated Sheffield Hallam side and as a consequence more pressure on the Slazenger’s goal. The half was evenly fought with a number of chances at both ends with both keepers having to stay alert. Sheffield Hallam were the first to hit the backboard with only 15 minutes left to play, after a scrabble on the backline saw them push the ball over the goal line, only for it to be disqualified for having crossed the backline. However, 5 minutes later saw them take the lead without dispute as they struck the board hard to beat the keeper. With only 10 minutes to go Slazenger’s refused to accept defeat and with pressure and hard work from the forwards saw Caro Schofield push the ball into the goal to bring a well-deserved equaliser for Slazenger’s.
The game ended 1-1 with player of the match going to Emily Chason and with Slazenger’s Ladies 3 maintaining their unbeaten run and keeping their position at the top of the table.
Ladies 4th’s (6) vs. (1) University of Leeds 8th’s
The ladies 4th team played the University of Leeds 8th team this week and proved that goals are not just for the younger players! Our newly recruited juniors were absent, leaving a more mature team on the pitch. Linda Stacey was first to score but the team were surprised when Leeds University soon equalised. In response, the Slazenger Team upped their game and Julie Bailey found the net, followed by another superb goal from Linda Stacey.
It wasn’t long coming back on the pitch after half time that Linda Stacey again found the net and from there, Slazengers dominated the game. Jess Downing took the score to 5:1 and new player Jules Measures only just missed out on a chance to score. Linda Stacey finished with a final goal. Another win for the 4th team, 6:1. Player, Lyn Wood.
Boys Under 14’s
With many of the squad unavailable, Slazengers turned up for their first tournament of the season at Ben Rhydding with a bare 11 players. Although it was supposed to be a tournament for 5 teams, only 3 turned up. In the first game, the Slazenger boys didn’t do themselves justice and struggled to play their best hockey. Brigg capitalised on this and managed to win 3-0, although this was not a fair reflection of the game. Following a team talk and change in formation, Slazengers then took on Scarborugh who had lost 4-1 to Brigg. Three goals (1 penalty stroke) from Alex Stacey, one each from Will Gascoigne, Lucas Smith and Shaz ensured a great 6-0 victory. It was decided that the teams would each play each other again on a friendly basis for a shorter period of time. Slazengers dominated the game against Brigg and this time, Will Gascoigne converted a penalty stroke to win the match 1-0. In the final match, Slazengers beat Scarborough 1-0 with Tiamor scoring in his first tournament. The boys certainly improved with every game and should do much better in the next tournament, with a full squad. Many thanks to Matt Green and Simon Killey who umpired all 6 matches as the other teams did not provide umpires.
Boys Under 10’s
The U10 boys team enjoyed their first tournament at Weetwood on a lovely sunny afternoon. A large squad turned up, many of whom had never played in a tournament before. The boys all played well and they drew 1-1 with Doncaster 2, beat Ben Rhydding 2 and Driffield 1-0. and lost 3-0 to Brigg. This meant that the team finished 2nd in their division and are promoted to division 3 for the next tournament. Thanks to Tom Hoyle for managing the team – a great start to his managerial career.
