Match Reports from Weekend of 22nd & 23rd September 2018
Men’s 1st’s vs. Bradford 1st’s
Men’s 1st’s hosted Bradford 1st’s for a tough opening game in the newly promoted Premier league. With Bradford finishing 2nd in the league last season it was a tough test. While Slaz lost out 4-3, they rose to the pace and speed of the new league. Richard Tuddenham netted a hat trick to keep the deficit to only a single goal.
Men’s 2nd’s vs. Men’s 3rd’s
Following a league restructure, Slazengers Hockey Club were in the unusual position of having their men’s 2’s and 3’s face off against each other in the first league game of the season. Unfortunately a few players were missing due to injuries and other commitments leaving the 3’s weaker than they would have liked and this was only compounded when keeper Daz Buttery had to leave the field injured mid way through the 1st half.
Outfielder Jack Mumford stepped up and took the pads even saving a Ben Jackson penalty flick towards the end of the game. Despite the 3’s best efforts, the 2’s ran out comfortable 11-0 winners. Goals came from Asad Baig (3), Ben Jackson (2), Damo Greig (2) and 1 each for Ben Graham, Will Gascoigne, Ian Hedges and James Taylor. The 2’s will take confidence from some good hockey and a solid performance throughout whereas the 3’s can take heart from some strong individual performances especially from newcomers Max Godley and Alex Stacey under difficult circumstances. Man of the match for the 2’s was shared between Ben Jackson and Damo Greig.
Men’s 4th’s vs.Leeds 8th’s
Unfortunately a new look Slazenger 4th’s took to the pitch against a strong organised Leeds 8th’s. Unfortunately they were run out 4-0 in a game where the scoreline did not reflect the flow of the game.
Men’s 5th’s vs. Wakefield 7th’s
An inexperienced team took to the pitch for their first league game ever. Unfortunately it was clear from the get-go that they were outclassed. However in typical Slaz form, they battled on for the whole game and came away with their heads held high.
Unforgettable debuts from Mark Rodgers, John McGrath and Ian Randle, 2 of whom retired injured much to the delight of other squad members. Despite Man of match performance from Darren “Blocker” Bailey Slazengers ran out a close second in the 9-0 defeat. Great times however were had in the clubhouse afterwards.
Ladies 1st’s vs. Thirsk 1st’s
1st league game having been promoted into North Division 2 did not start as well as hoped. Thirsk started on the front foot and quickly got into their stride. Within first 5 minutes they constructed a swift move down the right hand side, passing to their forward high up the pitch who turned the defender, to created herself some space, shot and scored. 0 – 1
Slazengers, although appeared a little sluggish at the start, with a few misplaced passes, soon upped their game as they picked up the pace. Strong play down the right from Alex Gilbert resulted in a cross into the path of Clare Dunston, whose shot was saved by the keeper.
The remainder of half was pretty even with both teams creating a number of chances. Thirsk came very close as they intercepted a pass and pushed forward, leading to a 1 on 1 with Gemma, the keeper, who made a fantastic save. As half time approached, Slazengers went wide down the right wing, with Molly Gilbert skillfully bi-passing the defender, crossing to Claire Dunstan, who set up Katie MInchella to score from the top of the D. 1 – 1
Thirsk started strongly in the second half passing well and pressing high up the field. Slazengers defended well and managed to scramble the ball away. During this time Thirsk were awarded a short corner which according to the umpire hit a defenders foot on the line, so a flick was awarded. Thirsk flicked the ball high right giving the keeper no chance of saving. 1 – 2
Not disheartened Slazengers continued to work hard and had opportunities themselves with Katie Minchella missing the goal by inches from a reverse stick shot. From a quickly taken hit out, Thirsk broke quickly, and with some accurate passing were able to create an opportunity and scored from open play. 1 – 3
Following another short corner for Thirsk, the initial shot was saved but in the following scramble the ball jumped up into the defenders hand and another flick was awarded. This time the keeper anticipated the flight of the ball and prevented a goal being scored.
Slazengers again rallied and a pass intercepted by Lisa Minchella deep in the Slazenger half was quickly dispatched down the right. Once picked up by Frankie in midfield she cut through the defence to find Claire Dunstan free in the D who slotted the ball home. 2 – 3
Ladies 2nd’s vs. Thirsk 2nd’s
Heading into the first game of the season with lots of new players, Slazengers 2 new they had to go out strong. The first 20 mins were evenly matched, with short corners at both ends. Finally a break from a long ball to Caro Schofield forced an error by the goal keeper, giving slaz a penalty flick. Calmly Stacey Drake transferred the ball to the back of the net, 1-0 Slaz. However, the lead was short lived after a thirsk short corner resulted in a goal, half time 1-1.
In the second half, open play was again even between both sides. Short corners were given at both ends but Thirsk were unable to penetrate through slaz’s solid defence. However, after a Slaz player received a yellow card and was sent off, they knew they had to dig deep and stay focused. Despite the odds, Slaz prevailed and with only 10 on the pitch, managed to secure another short corner taken as a straight strike which was rebounded to the open arms of Caro, who rhubarbed the ball into the back of the net. Final score 2-1 to slaz, a great start to the season, with Stacey Drake receiving Player of the match.
Ladies 3rd’s Game Cancelled
Ladies 4th’s no game
Boys Under 14’s
Slazengers Under-14 boys won promotion to Division Three of the Yorkshire Youth Hockey League with the minimum of fuss. Their three games produced 15 goals and none conceded as they saw off Halifax, Adel and hosts Bradford.
The opening match was a 4-0 win against Halifax, with Max Godley scoring twice plus goals from Will Gascoigne and Alex Hobson, playing his first full pitch game of hockey.
Bradford were expected to be a tougher proposition but they were dispatched 7-0 thanks to some devastating attacking hockey by the Slaz boys. A Godley hat-trick was supplemented by goals from Gascoigne (2), Hobson and Alex Stacey.
A win against Adel would secure top spot in the division and another 4-0 success came courtesy of two more Godley goals and one from Hobson after Tommy Randle had opened the scoring.
The promotion was highlighted by some excellent team play built on solid defence, with keeper Aiden Coughtrey well protected by Lewis Killey, Joe Minchella and Isaac Burrows.
Curtis Jones, also steeping up form the U12s to play his first 11-a-side game, battled hard up front without reward.