2017 Season; 17th February Review

Men’s 1st’s (8) vs. (1) Ben Rhydding 2nd’s
Last weekend was one of those weekends that the more mature first team players really look forward to – the two game weekend… and to be honest it couldn’t have started much worse for either vintage or younger players!

The first game of the double was at home on Saturday to Ben Rhydding; a young side with potential that belies their current low position in the league. Certainly not a team to start complacently against. Nevertheless it’s fair to say Slazenger started the game more like a toy train than a steam train. Slazenger seemed oddly determined to run the ball time and time again straight into Ben Rhydding sticks. When halftime finally rolled round the dismal performance had resulted in a 2 -1 scoreline and potential for either team to take the match. Slazenger clearly had words with themselves during the mid-match break. The short sharp passing that greeted the home crowd at the start of the second half was nothing short of Brazilian. This new style soon began to pay off in goals as Slazenger well and truly stamped their authority on the match. A double hatrick from man of the match Tuddenham put the game beyond reach and helped to rack up a final score of 8 – 1 to Slazenger. (Other scorers Jimmy Swinden and Matthew Chilton)

Men’s 1st’s (6) vs. (1) Leeds University 1st’s
Bolstered by the second half of Saturdays game the firsts took to the field confidently on Sunday for the next instalment against Leeds University. From the start Slazenger took the game to Leeds, great passing play was again the linchpin to the repeated attacks, and Its wasn’t long before Swindon capitalised with the first goal. With further flowing play more goals soon followed from Perry, Gunning, and Tuddenham.

Leeds were no walkover however, only 5 minutes into the second they half pulled one back from a strong short corner drag flick. Things looked increasingly precarious when only minutes later Birkett crucially stopped another drag flick on the line to keep Leeds from gaining ground. After a short defensive spell the Firsts soon settled back into the game. At this stage Slazenger looked like they would hold the lead comfortably, that was until both Swindon’s were sent off in the final minutes of the game for equally daft lapses in emotional concentration. The Firsts battened down the hatches to see out the game with a second win. Final score 6 – 1.

Men’s 2nd’s (6) vs. (2) Ben Rhydding 3rd’s
Slaz travelled to the cold nothern climbs of Ilkley for their confrontation with Ben Rhyding 3rd’s. In the previous season, their last away encounter had seen Slaz come a distant second place so it was with some trepidation that the team approached the game. This was compounded with the team only having 11 players due to half term.

Slaz started the quicker, and looked to be causing problems from the start for the home side. However. some well taken saves and some rustyness from the slaz front line saw chances go awry and the score locked at 0-0. However, the visitors took their time and it wasnt long before Asad Baig sank his first of the match,after a lightening attack from Ben Jackson. Jackson netted himself for the second, and Baig netted again to go ahead. Rhydding scored a scrappy goal, with Slaz ahead 3-1 going into the break.

The second half saw Slaz continue to press their advantage. The fourth goal came from a well executed short corner; Amir Khalil rounding 3 defenders and slotting the ball past the defender. Birthday boy Ian Hedges netted the fifth with a strike from the edge of the d, which ricochet into the net off the defenders stick. However the best was saved to last, when Captain Ben Graham received a pass from Khalil, and slotted it away at the back post; a self proclaimed “awesome goal”. Rhydding responded in the dying minutes, but by then the result was well and truly beyond doubt. Valuable points for Slaz who host York next week.

Men’s 3rd’s (7) vs. (0) Lindum 4th’s
Slazenger entertained Lindum on Saturday the team just above them in the league, in 8th place. The Addingford side began on the front foot and it seemed the cold Northern weather was uncomfortable for their southern opponents.

A ball fired in from Trans-Atlantic Captain Simon Taylor was skilfully deflected past the Lindum goalkeeper towards goal by Tim Carr allowing Scott Carruthers to tap the ball home from 0.000001mm out and give Slazenger the lead. The home side continued to play flowing hockey in the opposing half seeing Carr and Carruthers both go close. It was to be an excellent training ground routine which saw Slaz double their lead as Paul Johnson saw a gap which Carr was able to run into, round the final defender before firing the ball past the advancing Keeper. As the half was running down Johnson made sure it was 3-0 at the break with a blistering strike from a short corner.

Inspirational words from Taylor at half time made sure they weren’t going to come out complacent. Within five minutes of the restart an incisive, defence splitting ball from Andy Fisher allowed Carr nip in and sweep the ball in to the goal. Lindum out of pride began to rally and had a few chances but these were dealt with easily by Taylor, Johnson and Foster. When it looked like Lindum’s pressure might tell a swift break by Slazenger saw Alan Perry flying up the wing like a gazelle before playing the ball inside to Fisher who ran in then fired a bolt of a shot into the roof of the net to make it 5-0, a shot so hard the goal was moved off its moorings and one which the Lindum keeper will be having nightmares about for many weeks to come. The Horbury side began to relax and this allowed Lindumseveral chances but Harry Buttery was desperate to keep his sheets clean at least once this season and produced some heroic saves to ensure the visitors didn’t score. With 10 minutes to go a break from Slaz saw Brian Johnson slip the ball in to Sam Haigh to flick the ball past the keeper to make it 6-0. As the sun went down and the chill factor went up there was time for another Slazenger goal Haigh pushed one through and Carr was able to dive in before the goal keeper could get there to ensure he claimed his hat-trick and the man of the match vote. A fine attacking performance by the home side one which has been long overdue and resulted in their first win of 2018.

Men’s 4th’s (0) vs. (1) Chapeltown 4th’s
No report.

Men’s 5th’s (2) vs. (2) Halifax 5th’s
With three key players missing this was a good opportunity for newer players to gain confidence and pitch time while playing in some new positions against Halifax development team. Lewis Killey continued developing his quickly improving defensive skills snuffing out attacks down either wing. Adam Searle was a constant attacking threat with his pace on the left from which he scored from the tightest of angles after some determined perseverance. Luke Boxall and Bradley Nicholls worked hard and youngest player Luke Minchella (man of the match) caused their defense huge problems through out the game with great skills and energy. Slazengers second goal was well deserved from a short corner after lots of pressure. Unfortunately the quite new look Slazenger team had a couple of lapses in concentration to let Halifax score twice and see out a 2-2 draw.

Ladies 1st’s (6) vs. (2) Airedale 1st’s
Slaz ladies 1’s travelled to Titus Salt school to take on Airedale
The squad depleted by ski holidays and a rhubarb festival (yes you read it right!!) saw debuts for keeper Tunstall and Giggal, and Drake who clearly prefers to travel than stay home also made the trip.
Slaz made hard work of the first half, taking a while to settle into the game. A number of attempts on goal saw the ball travelling wide of the posts.
Despite holding the majority of the first half’s position the only goal came from brilliant set play with Field taking a long corner and firing the ball across goal for Gilbert the elder to tap home.
The second half saw Slaz settle into the game and it wasn’t long before Tyers began her goal scoring campaign.
At 2:0 down, Airedale hit back and claimed one back. But their comeback was short lived – an initial shot from Giggal saved by a diving keeper fell to the stick of Mini Minch, who casually flicked it up an over into the net. Slaz’s forth came from a typical Drake cross – powered across the goal to find Tyers for her second.
Slaz now committed to increasing their goal difference in the league table we’re caught off guard leaving Keeper Tunstall with a 2 on 1 – allowing Airedale to pull another one back. Airedale spurred on by this created more chances but Keeper Tunstall stayed strong and denied them any further goals.
At the other end – Tyers claimed her hat trick with a stunning shot into the top corner. Field not wanting to be outdone followed this with an amazing shot from the back line which also found the nets top corner.

Final score 6:2 Slaz

Ladies 1st’s (1) vs. (3) Leeds Adel 2nd’s
Sunday saw top of the table Adel come to Slaz.
The first half initially saw an evenly matched game with both sides showing some great attacking and defensive play. When the break came for Slaz, it was captain Tyrrel who picked up a stunning ball through from midfield giving her a 1 on 1 with the keeper – she was always going to come off best, and Slaz. Were in the lead.
Sadly the lead was short lived and Adel hit back with 3 quick goals.

The second half was a different story. Adel, clearly hoping to increase both their lead in the table and their goal difference pressed hard but Bates Gasgoine and Gilbert the elder 🧓 kept them at bay, allowing some great play down the wings with Gunn, Drake and the younger Gilbert sending the ball up towards the attacking D. Keeper Wilson was tested a number of times but with nothing she couldn’t handle.

Field showed determination in the tackle and continually sent the ball through to mimi Minch, Paige, and the Captain. Despite the positive play, sadly there were to be no further goals for Slaz. Full time score ( same as half time) 3:1 Adel. Special thanks for “the two umpires on the pitch” Lisa GK and Mr Bates

Ladies 2nd’s (1) vs. (2) Wakefield Wanderers 1st’s
Slaz played host to local Wakefield Wanderers on Saturday hoping to continue their current winning form. The game started out on an even keel with both sides having an equal share of possession and scoring opportunity and both keepers being tested. Slaz keeper Tracey Lorriman prevented Wanderers taking the lead early on with another amazing precision stick save, however the visitors managed to get on the score sheet before half time after Lorriman went to ground, Ritchey was on the line to save the first attempt only for the quick thinking Wanderers attacker to dink the rebound passed the post.

Slaz continued the game strong with some great interceptions from the defence, the midfield held strong and Wanderers struggled to break through. There were a number of brilliant through balls from midfielder Phe Seckar in to the D but unfortunately the forwards were unable to get on the end of them. There were some fantastic runs down the flanks from the the youngsters showing their pace however the Wanderers sweeper was solid and showed her experience against the youngsters, picking off a number of advances. When moving the ball around the defenders Slaz were able to penetrate the D but struggled to foil the Wanderers keeper. Slaz gained their equaliser when the Wanderers keeper initially saved a short range shot which rebounded to Tuscany who collected it skillfully on her reverse stick and lifted it over the keeper.

Slaz continued to keep the possession in their opposition’s half for much of the second half but the high forwards took advantage of a long ball through and took the lead again from a perfectly struck ball into the corner. With 8 minutes to go Slaz continued to battle to get at least a point and were awarded short corner, the first of the game for either team, but we’re unable to convert. Keeping pressure on the Wanderers defence another short was awarded to Slaz on the final whistle and everyone pushed up hoping for the equaliser they thoroughly deserved. Unfortunately the shot from the top of the D went wide and couldn’t be kept in play with the game finishing 2-1 to Wanderers.

Ladies 3rd’s (2) vs. (1) Huddersfield 1st’s
Slazenger ladies 3s made a trip to Darton to face Huddersfield 1s, with hope that they could improve on their 0-0 draw from earlier in the season. This was a crucial fixture for Slazengers in the run in to the end of the season, a win being vital if they were to keep the pressure on the other promotion contenders Sheffield Hallam 4 and Epworth at the top of the table.

The match began on a positive note with Slazengers keeping possession well and creating a number of chances on goal. It wasn’t long before they scored their first goal when Caro Scofield received a ball fed from the right, a powerful strike on goal was helped over line by Josie Hughes. With confidence building, Slazengers repeated the move down the right only minutes later, again with Josie Hughes In the right place to bag her second. Slazengers 2 – 0 up and they were breathing a sigh of relief that the pressure was easing. Huddersfield didnt sit back though, attacking on the break they ensured the Slazengers defence were kept on their toes and very much involved in the game, allowing Emma Eley to showcase her great tackles and distribution. The game quickly developed into a fiery match, with players clashing and the umpires calling for calm. The half time break was a welcome call in order for Slazengers to regain their composure.

The second half saw Huddersfield motivated to go for goals and after only 5 minutes they pulled one back when slick passing caught the defence off guard and when the ball found the stick of Huddersfield’s centre forward, she made a clean hard strike that couldn’t be stopped by defenders or keeper. Slazengers began to feel the pressure once again and both teams battled hard. The final whistle went with Slazenger’s maintaining their 2 – 1 lead and a well deserved 3 points kept them at the top of the table.

Player of the match went to Josie Hughes and special mention to Ashleigh Jones who showed her versatility in numerous positions. Slazengers fate is now in their own hands, 2 wins from their last 2 games and Slazenger’s are gauranteed promotion, Anything less and they will have to hope that luck is on their side.

Ladies 4th’s (1) vs. (2) Sheffield Hallam 4th’s
no report