2017 Season; 3rd February Review

The First Team were away to Hull last weekend, but were without a couple of key players; Matthew Chilton was doing humanitarian work in Cardiff, Danny Perry was painting the kitchen, and Richard Tuddenham was out of action following his birthday celebrations. Would this be the banana skin week in the promotion push? The game didn’t get off to the best start when called up player Ben Stephenson was blown up by the Hull umpire for apparently fouling himself during the first Slazenger attack. The Firsts however kept their heads admirably and got on with the game, a theme that continued through the match.

The absence of regular goal hound Tuddenham however clearly opened the door for some other Slaz forwards. Half time already had the Firsts ahead by three goals – one from Swindarn, one from Gascoigne, and one from Stevenson. In the second half Hull pushed their press forward onto Slazenger and but for a soft tap in past keeper Loftus it would have been a clean sheet. Slazenger scored a further two in the second half through Gunning and Swindeen to put the game past any Hull hopes. Final score 5 – 1.

Slaz hosted table top contender Harrogate 4th’s at home. With a renewed formation, the team came out looking more composed than in recent games. While the team managed to go close in several occasions, they lacked a clinical edge. However, the home side shut out Harrogate for the majority of the game, and only a lucky break gave them the single goal of the game. Slaz have a double header next weekend, with the opportunity to put their renewed vigour into practice.

Slazenger 3rd’s travelled to Barnsley tarn for what they hoped would help them with a flittin’ result. The gaffer started the huddle with a positive team talk that had Slazenger ready to bray the opposition and the start of the game was very even with slazenger playing some beautiful hockey across the dynamic midfield of fish, Scot (also see Sam) and man of the match Banksy well supported by strong defense and great wing work linking the ball up to the ever running Tim upfront however all of a sudden when the midfield seemed to be waggin’ it Barnsley attacked and won a short corner unfortunately the defense thought they needed to defend the causey edge instead of the post and conceded a goal, unfortunately for slazenger this was a sign of what was to come and despite slazenger laikin well they soon found themselves 4-0 down at half time. Si tried to get his team going again by telling them to shape thissen however whilst it was teeming it seemed that it was Barnsley’s attack that continued to have the command over slazenger hitting them on break and winning more short corners. You could see that slazenger were still supporting each other as cockers and wouldn’t geeyore however a few more short corners seemed to break the spirit of Slazenger. One comforting note of the match was the ballet practice that captain Si has been driving to in his hairdressers car looked like it was paying off with a lovely pirouette followed by a beautiful cannon ball into the ground however despite this slazenger came up with no goals meaning the ball tintintin and Barnsley took all points. However good possession and some strong periods should help slazenger take heart into the upcoming games.

Slaz hosted Leeds Adel in what looked to be a very close encounter. The early exchanges were very even as both sides looked to create the first deadly chance. This came to the away side as a stray striker got behind Slaz’s defence and managed to give his team the lead. The away side then managed to score again to lead 2-0 at half time. Slaz knew they weren’t out of the game yet and looked to start on the front foot again.

The second half proved to be better for Slaz as they came straight back into the game with a goal on his return from Steve Johnson. The game was end to end as the away side managed to score immediately followed by Slaz scoring through Josh Hujwan. Then Adel scored again to put the game beyond doubt before a late comeback may have been launched after Peter Gunning stole one on the line from Josh Hujwan (there were some pleasant words after the match between them two). However, a late goal from the away side secured the three points in a very even and entertaining game.

Man of the match went to Steve Johnson after his return goal and great work rate up top. Next week Slaz face promotion chasing Sheffield Hallam at home at 4.30.

Slaz 5 s visited Ben Rhydding to play a side a bit short on age and experience. BR 7s put up a game performance and kept going, there being no shame in losing 4-0 to Slazenger. That said Slaz’s shining stars ina great team performance were their two youngest! A word first for our “mini-Messi” Luke Minchella who was instrumental in all that was good up front, getting assists, forcing penalty corners and retaining the ball against 3 defenders and the keeper until they conceded a flick (that he then missed but let’s move on…..), he was unlucky not to get the goal he deserved.

Man of the Match was Tommy Randle, a hat-trick hero! The other goal went to Harry Buttery, trying to not score from a corner strike, only to have a defender deflect it in! Alex Stacey played on bravely through the pain of an injury as Slaz had only a bare 11 players and it was a great team performance showing good skills and teamwork.

Slaz ladies 1’s played host to City of York 2’s on Sunday. Whilst Slaz hoped to continue their winning ways against a relegation place York it was never going to be a walk in the park with York knowing a win could move them 3 places out of the drop zone.

From the off, York proved they were a better side than their league position suggested and pressurised the Slaz midfield and defence.  A short corner early on awarded to York was well executed and Slaz realised they really would need to up their game. It didn’t take long for Slaz to equalise when from a long corner the ball was passed to Bates who fired it goal bound – Gilbert the Elder was there ready to get the deflection in. Hoping to capitalise on this Slaz pushed forward but we’re unlucky not to gain the lead.  It was York who next found the back of the net when the caught Slaz on the break and with 3 on 2 beat the keeper on the far post. Slaz fought back again and shortly before half time managed an equaliser- again couttesy of Gilbert the elder.

Half time score 2:2. Unaccustomed to these kind of events, composure was needed and Slaz rose to the challenge. With Wallace injured, Whittam made a comeback to the teams defence and the pressure turned on to York’s defence.  Some dazzling runs in the midfield gave Paige the opportunity she deserved to put Slaz in front for the first time in the game. A short corner soon after saw the ball deflected up from a defenders stick – Mini Minch was over like a pocket rocket and caught it on the volley to put home a forth. With 15 minutes still to go it was clear that York were not ing to take this turn in the score line lightly.  The younger Gilbert made it hard work for York’s left side but they continued to fight.

A late short corner saved by keeper Wilson found a York stick and was lifted into the top corner, but it was too little too late for York. With the score at 4:3 they were given no further opportunity to claim any points and move up the league, while Slaz kept the ball in the York 25 they were unlucky not to score again but happy to take the 3 points and return to their place 2nd in the league. Special thanks to Lisa GK and Danny for providing excellent tooting 😁. Slaz travel to Leeds uni next week

Following Slaz ladies 2s double winning weekend last week, confidence was high to take on top of the league University of Hull away.  The first 10 minutes saw Hull Uni quickly put pressure on the Slaz forwards and midfield however the visitors responded positively and took the lead with a quick break.  A strong ball from Jess Lloyd in defence to Lucy Brereton, who took the ball into Hull’s 23 with a quick sharp ball to Claire Dunstan who struck the ball beautifully into the back of the net. Taking the early lead raised Slaz’s spirits further and they continued to battle.  The game was high energy throughout with both teams battling, but yet again Slaz took advantage with a strong break from Abi Collins beginning an amazing rhubarb triangle with the two forwards, who were in the perfect positions, where Claire Dunstan slipped the ball to Lucy Brereton for a sweeping shot on goal beating the keeper to give Slaz a 2 goal lead.  Hull didn’t give in and the Slaz defence had numerous short corners against them, all of which were successfully defended and denied Hull getting on the score board.

Half time came and Hull had good control of the ball getting in to the Slaz 23 where they hit the first line of defence of Phe Secker and Stacey Drake.  Slaz didn’t become complacent with their 2 goal advantage as they knew Hull would continue to apply pressure throughout the second half.  Hull came back strong and were hitting the D on numerous occasions, but passes were intercepted and crucial tackles made on the edge of the D particularly by Jess Lloyd.  Again Slaz caught Hull on the break with some great quick passes from Gaby Giggal up the line to Amy Brereton who carried it further into Hull’s 23, enabling Slaz to pressure the Hull defence, but were unlucky to get another goal. Hull reacted strongly and consistently battled with the Slaz defence resulting in short corner after short corner, as the Slaz defence tired.  Again, Slaz defended each short corner with great clearances from Stacey Drake and an amazing stop on the line from Sarah Ritchey.  Tracy Lorriman made save after save, with a great diving stick save to prevent Hull from scoring and resulting in Slaz’s well deserved 2-0 win. An amazing team performance saw everyone battle to the end and didn’t give in.  Well done girls!  Player of the match was Lucy Brereton.

Slazenger’s ladies knew this game was an opportunity to gain some valuable goals to keep them at the top of the table.

Slazenger’s started strong from the push back, driving the ball into the Leeds uni ‘D’ aiming for the goal, only for it to go wide. Slazenger’s where able to keep the ball at the Leeds end, with great passing between midfield Justine Birkett, Emily Entwistle and Lauren Fealey, moving it up to the forwards Aleks Karpinska, Caro Schofield, Josie Hughes. Finally the back of the goal was found by Caro Schofield. This spurred Slazenger’s Ladies on even more, with goals coming from Emily Entwistle, Aleks Karpinska and another one from Caro Schofield. Leeds uni attempted to make a break for the Slazenger’s ‘D’, only to be stopped in their tracks by Slazenger’s defence of Sarah Hobbs, Esther Hill, Jess Downing and Maisie Fallas; Half time score to 4 – 0.

After an excellent tactical half time discussion from Sarah Hobbs, Slazenger’s ladies push higher up the pitch, making Leeds uni a little scared!! And with persistence Slazenger’s were able to add to their score with goals from Aleks Karpinska, Natasha Wiper, Justine Birkett, Josie Hughes and a further 3 from Caro Schofield. Leeds uni attempted a break through the midfield, however goal keeper Lizzie Tunstall was ready for them. An unfortunate short corner against Slazenger’s, only for the Slazenger’s defence to clear this up the pitch, saw the end of the match. Final score Slazenger’s Ladies 11 – 0 Leeds Uni

Player – Emily Entwistle; Goals from Caro Schofield x5, Aleks Karpinska x2, Justine Birkett x1, Emily Entwistle x1, Josie Hughes x1, Natasha Wiper x1