Weekly Update
An update of this weeks fixtures and last weeks results
Last Week’s Results
Ladies 3rd’s take “team of the week” after a superb 5-0 victory over Doncaster 4th’s. Notable mentions go to Ladies 2nd’s for their first point of the season, the Ladies 1st’s for their 3-1 win at Ben Rhydding (with only a bare 11), and the Mens 2nd’s 8-1 result, putting them through to the Semi finals of the Yorkshire Cup after their win over Barnsley!
November brings with it the refresh of the top goalscorer table, with a host of new scorers. 57 players have got themselves on the score-sheet with 163 goals so far, but only 15 names are so far in the hunt for Novembers Golden Stick!
Novembers Top Goalscorers
3 Goals – Ben Graham, Aleks Kapinska, Holly Tyres
2 Goals – Caro Schofield, Ben Jackson, Mark Hammond, Matt Banks, Amir Khalil, Lucas Smith, Richard Tuddenham, Danny Perry
1 Goals – Jimmy Swinden, Owen Bland, Phi Secker, Mia Davies, Maisie Davies
Last Week’s Match Reports
Men’s 1st’s (3) vs. (1) City of York 3rd’s
A couple of close games over bonfire weekend for the Ones; the first of which, at home on Saturday, started pretty abjectly! Repeated attempts to pull off Hollywood passes, coupled with excessive dribbling, lead to the inevitable as York put a goal away to take the lead.
Halftime couldn’t come soon enough for Slazenger – a seasonal rocket from the captain ensued… By contrast the second half couldn’t have been more different. Some nice link up play from James Swinden and Danny Perry soon started to bear fruit, and it wasn’t long before Tuddenham had added to his tally too. Slazenger held onto a 3 -1 lead to the end despite going down to 10 men after Harry ‘the filth’ Gunning was sent off.
Men’s 1st’s (2) vs. (1) Leeds 3rd’s
The second game of the weekend for Slazenger was away at Leeds. Charged from Saturdays victory the Firsts started with a bang putting 2 past the home side in as many minutes. Some great aggressive play from Gascoigne, Tuddenham, Perry and Swinden saw the ball robbed off the Leeds defence time after time.
However, 140 minutes of hockey in one weekend is a big ask for the geriatric element of the Firsts, and despite the early margin Leeds began to creep back into the game. A couple of great save’s from Buttery kept Slaz in it just long enough to see out the 2 – 1 win.
Mens 2nd’s (2) vs. (5) Doncaster 3rd’s
Slazengers Mens 2’s had a double header at the weekend with contrasting results. Saturday saw them travel to Doncaster for a league encounter and came away on the wrong end of a 5-2 scoreline. After failing to capitalise on a bright start, Slazengers began to struggle with the playing conditions and Doncaster took advantage, getting in front and never looking back. Slazengers pegged them back to 3-2 with goals from Amir Khalil and Ben Graham however as they pressed for an equalizer, Doncaster scored their 4th and 5th in quick succession to kill off the game.
Mens 2nd’s (8) vs. (1) Barnsley 1st’s
Sunday saw Slazengers entertain Barnsley in the cup quarter finals. Slazengers were on top early and took the lead when Ben Graham converted a penalty corner. Owen Bland quickly made it 2 with a top quality reverse stick strike from a narrow angle and when Graham grabbed his second shortly afterwards, Slazengers were in total control.
Mark Hammond scored a good individual goal before Barnsley got back into the game with an excellent finish much to the frustration of Buttery in the Slazengers goal. The 2nd half was much the same with Slazengers controlling the ball and further goals from Hammond, Ben Jackson (2) and Amir Khalil saw Slazengers run out comfortable 8-1 winners.
Men’s 3rd’s (2) vs. (1) Doncaster 5th’s
It was a cold but sunny afternoon when the slazenger army lined up to view the incoming invading army of Doncaster, from on top of the castle king Taylor gave the same speech he does before every battle, his army banged their sticks on the floor in confidence of victory over the invaders despite all mouthing the king’s speech back to him.
The attack started quickly but it was the slazenger army that ran over the invaders, taking the battle forward with classic pincer movements attacks from the wings splintered with surging attacks down the middle however despite all the forward marching the slazenger army could not find the target with Tommy Carr picking up a wonky stick that meant his attacks where wide of the mark.
It seemed in fact that Doncaster had devised a clever plan for the invasion of Slazenger as despite controlling the half all of Slazenger attacks came to nothing as if all sticks had been replaced by twigs. At half time it was still 0-0. Despite looking over the wreckage of the battlefield and only seeing Doncaster in a mess, no killing blow had been struck.
As the second half started Josh and the defenders of the castle seemed as safe as ever that nothing would breach them however what Slazenger had not seen was the Doncaster team crawl through the sewers and with a sneak attack grab a critical blow onto the Slazenger Castle. However all was not lost and despite Andy fisher battling like the warrior he is, eventually he was replaced and the man, the myth, and the legend Matt Banks, who came back on confidently in his restored armour.
Slazenger continued to push for the king and some great work resulted in them being in a perfect position for a killing blow on the castle with a great injection from Al and a great strike from Roo, the attacking kings security was on its legs as the ball rebounded to Matt Banks he hit the ball like a bullet into the back of the net eliminating the invading security.
Slazenger continued to push and finally they found the invaders king when Scott worked hard to ensure a shot on target was illegally kept out meaning a one on one chance presented itself. Up stepped Matt Banks who looked the king in the face and, thanks to some great practice of this situation before the battle with Harry, provided a killing blow to the king and his army with a perfectly executed penalty flick.
With this the slazenger army knew that it was only time now, with one idiot recruit Scott getting himself behind enemy lines in the sin bin it meant that the slazenger army had a few last attackers to defend however the whole team came together and defended the castle and king for the rest of the attack,
Long live the King; Long live the man, the myth, the legend; And most importantly
Long live the Green Army
Mens 5th’s (2) vs. (3) Harrogate Development
All of the fireworks were in the air! This match was played in the very best of spirits, between two closely matched sides. We had the added attraction of rockets going off (it seemed) just after each goal was scored. Harrogate scored first, and Slaz equalised twice before losing to the odd goal in the last 10 minutes.
Both Slaz goals came from Lucas Smith, one from a well worked penalty corner – Lucas injecting then making it to the post to slap home Luke Minchella’s drive. This game all about the midfield though, and tireless work from our guest adult (thanks Harry Gunning!) and Man of the Match, Will Gascoigne.
Final score Slaz 2-3 Harrogate. Next up is away at Thirsk, with Slaz determined to avenge a heavy defeat at the start of the season.
Ladies 1st’s (3) vs. (1) Ben Rhydding 3rd’s
The game started on an even keel with both teams determined to take the 3 points but the deadlock was quickly broken when Tyers stole the ball from the dithering defence and lifted the ball over the keepers outstretched foot.
Undeterred Ben Rydding upped the pressure and within 5 minutes had pulled one back with a well executed short corner.The team of the week, on their winning form then came into their own, the dynamic duo of Paige and Tyres made a series of 1 – 2’s before Tyres brought her goal tally to 2
Not satisfied with 2, after another steel, Tyres took the ball back into the D – gave the keeper the eye before deceptively slotting the ball home for her hatrick.
Half time score 3:1. The second half saw Slaz maintain the majority of the possession in the Ben Rhydding half but were unable to capitalise. Keeper Wilson pulled off save of the century when a penalty flick was given mid way through, other than this Ben Rhydding didn’t cause the Slaz defence too many problems.
Final score 3:1 – the score line may not be enough to return their well earned title of “team of the week”, but 3 wins in 3 in the league = a very happy squad.
Ladies 2nds (1) vs. (1) Leeds Adel 3rd’s
Slaz ladies 2s were hosts to Leeds Adel 3s on Saturday and were hoping for a change to their run of bad luck in the season thus far. A slight change to the formation saw a stronger midfield working together much more cohesively, supporting each other and allowing the home side to maintain possession and dominate play. Slaz made a number of circle penetrations early on and were rewarded with a flick 10 minutes in when a shot on goal was prevented by an Adel defender’s body on the line. Phe Seckar stepped up and executed a beauty flick to the Adel keeper’s right. The keeper got half a touch but not enough to deny Slaz the lead. Slaz continued with confidence and played the best hockey so far this season. Adel had a number of opportunities from open play and short corners which were defended well and player of the match keeper Dana kept the host’s hopes of 3 points alive making excellent saves in both halves.
The visitors were becoming increasingly frustrated that they were unable to convert chances but Slaz kept their heads and continued to dominate play. The youngsters of the team shone today as they seemed to play stronger and more confidently than ever before making some impressive runs supported by the experience of the new centre midfield trio who worked well as a unit and Slaz were unfortunate not to add a few more goals to the talley. With 10 minutes to go a mistake by captain and defender Ritchey cost the team the 3 points with a poor free hit outside the D which Adel took advantage of and drove in to the D beating the keeper.
Slaz attempted to regain the lead continuing to pressure the visitors and taking back possession. A spell in the Adel D looked like it was possible but the full time whistle was blown and the final score remained 1-1 with the 2s getting their first point of the season with the best team performance of the season so far. Onwards and upwards….
Ladies 3rd’s (5) vs. (0) Doncaster 4th’s
Slazenger’s Ladies 3 travelled to Doncaster this week to show the south what they were really made of! Although the sky was grey the teams’ spirits were not and the smell of victory was looming in the air.
Slazenger’s took push back and straight into attacking mode putting pressure on the opposition. Doncaster attack fought well; but were no match for Slazenger’s defence and after a cracking interception Slazenger’s, pressed on displaying their attacking skills showing Doncaster that they meant business. It became quickly apparent that Slazenger’s were in fact the stronger side dominating the goal area with it being only a matter of time before the ball met the back of the goal.
After a bit of rustle and tumble accompanied with some fantastic opportunities it was Caro Schofield who, still recovering from injury, put Slazenger’s ahead. The centre forward was not done there and with some amazing linking play from the midfield the first half drew to a close with Caro securing a second. First half…..Slazenger’s 2 – 0 Doncaster.
The second half commenced with Doncaster battling to find the goal but again Slazenger’s defence were unstoppable (Sarah Hobbs, Maisie Fallas, Jess Downy Emma Eley) and holding off the opposition’s attackers. With Slazenger’s quickly moving the ball back up the pitch. The ball yet again found the back of the goal with Aleks Karpinska scoring putting Slazenger’s three in front. Just as the sky had cleared Slazenger’s went from strength to strength with some outstanding show of skills up the pitch by Lauren Fealy and Natasha Wiper who were key in the switch from defence to attack. A few short corners later it was only a matter of time before more goals were to come. The final whistle went with Slazenger’s winning 5-0 with Caro Scholfield (2) remaining top goal scorer with Aleks Karpinska (3) hot on her heels. Slazenger’s Ladies 3 unbeaten streak still remains well and truly intact.
Ladies 4th’s (2) vs. (5) Epworth 1st’s
The ladies 4’s played at home against Epworth in one of their most challenging games yet. The late night imposed on captain Julie Bailey by the Slazenger Bonfire Spectacular did the team no favours and within minutes, Epworth scored. Slazengers struggled to make any progress forward and soon after, Epworth scored again from a short corner.
With a fear of returning to previous seasons results, Slazengers finally started to turn it around with Sue Hope and Linda Stacey getting balls through to the attackers. Thursday training had clearly paid off with a great pass from the right hand side from Cherry Bedford and with a quick stop and slip from Maisie Davis, Mia Davis powerfully swept it into the goal. Slazengers were back in the game.
Slazengers started the second half strongly with a series of attacks putting the Epworth defence under pressure, forcing errors which led to a short corner. A firm push to Linda Stacey, passed to Cherry Bedford whose shot was saved by the keeper but the speedy reaction of Maisie Davis hammered it home, returning to the half way line clearly pleased with her effort.
3:2 down and the Slazenger ladies were hopeful but it was short lived. Epworth came back stronger than ever and we’re too much to hold off, netting a further 2 goals in the last 10 minutes. Slazengers lost 5:2. Player – Lauren Hattersley.
Boys U14’s
SLAZENGERS under-14s sealed promotion with an impressive unbeaten record in their second Yorkshire Youth League tournament of the season. The Slaz boys won four of their five round-robin matches and drew the other, scoring 17 goals while conceding just one two minutes from the end of the final game as it finished 1-1 against Ben Rhydding.
They opened with a 5-0 victory over Northallerton, which was largely one-way traffic and kicked off with a goal from Alex Stacey as he turned in a shot by Will Gascoigne after a short corner. Gascoigne added the second with a shot from the edge of the D, Stacey set up the third with a run and cross to Isaac Burrows, Stacey added the fourth himself after Gascoigne’s initial shot had been saved and Aaron Hunter wrapped up the scoring.
A tougher match followed against Scarborough as Slazengers appeared to relax somewhat but they still won 2-0 thanks to goals by Gascoigne and Stacey, who also hit the post. Normal service resumed against Wakefield with another 5-0 win, in which Stacey scored twice and Lucas Smith, Hunter and Thomas Jaques were also on target. This match included a superb double save by Aidan Coughtrey with the score at 4-0, the first time he had been called on to intervene in the tournament, while the keeper also later dived full length to make a stop when one on one with a Wakefield attacker.
Brigg were then seen off 4-0, with Smith scoring twice as he sandwiched further goals by Burrows and Gascoigne. Slazengers enjoyed the bulk of possession in their final match against Ben Rhydding, taking the lead through Hunter at the far post from a run and pass by Stacey. But they committed too many players forward in search of a second goal and Ben Rhydding equalised as a counter-attack finally saw Coughtrey beaten.
Other players in the successful team were Bradley Nicholls, Joe Minchella, Luke Boxall, Josh Green, Lewis Killey and Tommy Randle. Coach Linda Stacey was ably assisted on the sidelines by son Matthew, older brother of Alex, who was on leave from university.
Thanks also to Simon Killey for his stint as umpire in all five games.
