Men’s 1st’s (3) vs. (10) Kingston Upon Hull 1st’s
A depleted 1st Team were away to Hull last weekend for a middle of the night push back. Now those in the know, know the First’s rarely travel long distances well (on and off the pitch), so an AM push really was a ball in the… whilst you’re down.
Despite the attraction of 1000 Romany folk next to the pitch – no not the usual home fans, Hull fair was on, Slaz failed to impress.
Whilst an excellent goal from the better Gascoigne (Will) and two staples for Tuddenham kept the Slazenger chins part way up. Hull were clinical on the day and scored quite a few more….
Final score: First’s 3, Hull something.
Men’s 2nd’s (3) vs. (1) Chapeltown 2nd’s
Slaz hosted a youthful Chapeltown 2nd’s for a well spirited confrontation at Addingford. While the home side looked stronger on paper, they were sluggish to get going. The team took a while to get going and it was only when Asad Baig netted a stunning strike from the edge of the circle that the pressure was taken off the team.
10 minutes later, the pressure continued to show, with Ted Richardson netting a first time thunderbolt from a Keith Leonard cross. However the team couldn’t convert any further goals in the first half.
In the second, the team struggled to get play the progressive hockey which had helped the to earlier victories. Amir Khalil caused trouble in midfield, while Alex Stacey had a strong showing on the right. However, it was Chapeltown who broke through the back line to claim their opener.
Slaz continued to work and while they went close multiple times, it was Baig again who converted a further corner to put the game beyond doubt. Slaz travel to Ben Rhdding Saturday looking to keep their run of form going.
Mens 3rd’s (5) vs. (4) Leeds 7th’s
Slazenger’s third team went into the game against Leeds still looking for their first win of the season. Leeds were the better team starting off going 2-0 up within 10 minutes due to sloppy marking. Slaz then pulled one back a few minutes later through a goal from MaxGodley following a short corner. However Leeds then continued to use their pace up top and then made it 3-1. About 10 minutes before half time Slaz reduced the deficit back to 1 as Dave Gascoigne scored a hit from a short corner. Just before the break Leeds scored another.
Despite being down 4-2 at half time slaz were still feeling positive and thought that they could get back in to it. This showed as Jack Lee scored early on with a nice slap into the bottom corner. The thirds were pushing hard to equalise and then they did through a second Godley goal following another short corner. Tensions then got high as both teams were pushing for the winner and many cards were handed out. With less than a minute to go Leeds scored the winner following a missed stick tackle from the umpire. The reaction from the opposition showed how hard they had to work. Hopefully Slaz can improve on the result and take all three points next week. MOM Godley.
Men’s 4th’s (5) vs. (0) Boston Spa 4th’s
Slazenger’s travelled away this week and fielded only a bare 11 again at this weeks away game, including a return for Adam Garside as temporary keeper, however, Boston had conceded the first 3 games of the season being unable to field a team and they only managed to pull together 10 players. Despite the numerical advantage, Slaz made hard work of the situation and it took a while with all the regular centre forwards unavailable to score that first goal, but when it came it was a simple effort from Scott Carruthers into the back of the net.
Slaz maintained a strong press, leaving Boston with limited options to deliver the ball to a friendly player which gave Slazengers ample opportunities to pressure their goal. However, poor umpiring decisions and fractious exchanges with the older/experienced Boston players were frustrating the Slazenger team. This culminated in a green card for Pete Gunning for unsportsman like comment to one of his own team mates!!!!! Despite the frustrations, Slaz capitalised on the slowly collapsing Boston defence and scored a second goal before half time.
The second half continued in the same vein with Slaz pressing every opportunity possible. The final tally at the end of the match was a clean sheet for Slaz and 5 goals. Scorers: Scott Carruthers 2; Pete Gunning 1; George Bentley 1; Josh Hujwan 1. Man of the match jointly awarded for their outstanding efforts to Isaac Burrows and George Bentley. Wally – well this award could have gone to several players for innumerable amusing transgressions, though Scott’s inability to inject a ball from a short is one of many that could be mentioned.
Mens 5th’s (6) vs. (0) sheffield Hallam 7
Word had got out across the hockey playing world of the fifth teams innovative tactics and training methods. Son of Topper was inundated with calls from the world’s best players desperate for a game on Saturday against Sheffield Hallam. The decision was made to be true to the original squad and not glory hunt. 10 players turned up. This included debutant Rob Brear, who, unfamiliar with the teams fitness level, put in a stellar performance and even covered more ground then Kene Dene. The team played well and at 0-0 we were in uncharted territory. So much so that table topping Hallam suddenly substituted on a young Barry Middleton who scored 3 goals in as many minutes and promptly retired to defence. Any mention of ringers was surely way off the mark.
Tireless midfield work from Chugger and Topper jnr ensured the game was competitive. An elite snatch party was sent out to Hallam’s bench at halftime and succeeded in kidnapping Malcolm who was given a green shirt and pushed out onto the pitch. This master plan back fired as he forget who he was meant to be playing for and kept passing to his old mates. Another 3 goals conceded did not dampen any spirits however and no heads dropped. M.o.m Hallam Malcolm and Tommy. C.o.m. Seasick Steve open goal 2 metres out, a titanic effort to miss.
Men’s 6th’s (2) vs. (3) Bradford 4th’s
The men’s development team faced a third away game in a row, travelling to Bradford in confident mood following the last two performances. Player numbers were a little light, but Alice Gascoigne and Ben Jackson bravely volunteered to double up and take on the Development team challenge to ensure that Slaz played with a full team.
Slaz started strongly and had the majority of the early possession and field position, with Will Parish, Luke Minchella, Eleanor Randle and Ollie Leonard having early chances. Bradford countered mid way through the first half however to score the first goal from a deflection from a Slaz defenders stick. Great defence from Bobby Brear, Dan Bailey, Josh Bennett and Alice Gascoigne, marshalled by keeper Jack Hancock kept Bradford at bay for the rest of the half. Slaz struck back just before half time after a great move up the pitch culminating in a well taken goal from man of the match Ollie Leonard to ensure a one all deadlock at the break.
Bradford had a change of personnel at half time and started the second half strongly, scoring a quick goal with a well hit shot from mid way inside the D despite Richard Coughtrey’s best efforts. This was soon followed by a third goal taken in similar fashion after a good passing move that beat the Slaz defence.
Slaz then finished the game as the stronger team, with good work in midfield from Dene Minchella and Ben Jackson leading to a second goal from Luke Minchella following his mazey run through the defence. Once again though Slaz were unable to find the equaliser and went down to a frustrating 3-2 loss, despite being the better team for the majority of the game. Many thanks to Ben and Alice for playing with us and for supporting the team so well.
Ladies 1st’s (3) vs. (4) Halifax 2nd’s
The ladies 1’s travelled to an unusually warm and sunny Halifax on Saturday to play their Ladies 2’s. Despite being denied any chance to warm up in a goal, Slaz took the game straight to their opposition determined to hold on to their unbeaten run. The first half saw goals from Frith and Tyers, while Gk kept them well in the game with a tremendous save after Halifax were awarded a penalty flick (a decision that no one in green could dispute).
Sadly, this was to be a game of 2 halves. Halifax came out stronger after the break and put away 2 early goals. Chances were missed at the other end while Halifax took theirs and managed a further two to take the lead 4:2. Slaz could’ve let their heads drop, however a penalty corner allowed Mini Minch to pull one back. Despite great efforts the equaliser didn’t materialise and the unbeaten run came to an end.
Next week Huddersfield Dragons will be coming to Slaz for a 12 o clock start.
#onwardsandupwards
#bringiton🐉
Ladies 2nd’s (3) vs. (6) Sheffield Uni Bankers 2nd’s
Both teams started off strongly in Slazenger’s ladies 2s games against Sheffield Bankers. In the first few minutes Nicci smashed an amazing ball past the keeper scoring the game’s first goal of the game. However Bankers responded quickly scoring themselves an equaliser. Next a flick was awarded to Bankers to which they scored their second goal. Bankers seemed to be on a roll, scoring their third goal. During a short corner Slazenger’s Nicci scored our second goal. Finishing the first half on 3-2. starting off in the first 10 minutes, bankers scored through some excellent passes they managed to score 2 more goals before Coops did an amazing run and hit into the back of the net. bankers scored their last goal finishing off the game with the end score being 6-3. There were some solid performances in defence, notably Nicole who made some excellent tackles. Player was jointly awarded to Nicole and Cherry, who had another good game in midfield.
Ladies 3rds (1) vs. (2) Halifax 4th’s
This week Slazengers ladies 3’s travelled to Halifax on an ideal day for a hockey game. With a squad averaging 3x the age of the opposition.
Slazengers started strong in the first half and the defence kept Halifax away from the goal despite a few chances which were saved excellently by Slazenger keeper Lizzie Tunstall. Slazengers then found the backboard with a goal from Caro Schofield, the ball travelled perfectly through defender Emily Chason to Caitlin McGrath down the right wing who provided an excellent cross into the D for Caro to tap the ball in the back of the net. Half time score Slazengers 1-0 Halifax
When the second half commenced Halifax came out fighting and soon scored their first goal in open play. Slazengers defended a few short corners well and Halifax were not able to score but they later found the goal again in open play leaving the score 2-1 to Halifax. Slazengers tired invain to make the score level, however the Halifax keeper and defence made this impossible. Ladies 3s battled hard thought the game.
Final score Slazengers 1-2 Halifax. Player of the match was awarded to Sarah Ritchie for her excellent defending.
Ladies 4th’s (2) vs. (3) Halifax 5th’s
Slazenger Ladies 4’s made a strong start against Halifax. The pressure resulted in an early well-worked team effort which was scored by Josie Hughes. Slazenger then conceded a flick after a deliberate foul in the D. Slaz keeper Lauren Hattersley got her stick to it but couldn’t prevent the score being levelled at 1-1.
Slazenger kept working hard with some great play by Gemma Wroe and Emily Wood in the midfield and good work up front from Julia Weavers and Lynn Wood creating further changes. A shot from Lauren Fealey was deflected into the goal by Halifax. Slaz was back in the lead at 2-1. Slazenger seem to take the foot of the paddle a little, and despite excellent defence from Sara Chilton, Freya Wilson and goalkeeper Lauren Halifax was able to equalised before half time, 2-2.
Down to 10 players in the second half lead to Slaz being under a lot of pressure. Great defence from ‘Player of the Match’ Stephanie Clements and Ingrid Coughtrey kept Halifax out. Till a shot got deflected from a defenders stick into the goal, 2-3. Slazenger ladies 4’s are still waiting for their first win this season but today’s game showed some brilliant hockey and great teamwork.
Under 10 Girls
The Under 10 Girls A team gained promotion to the 3rd division we were certainly the under dogs in our first tournament of the season. On a very wet and miserable Sunday morning at Weetwood the under 10 girls were in high spirits. We played the first 4 games and dominated every one! We just couldn’t score and took 4 draws. We then went into our last game against Huddersfield Dragons and the scoring fell into place, winning 3-0, felt good and the girls left on a high!
The newly formed B team also had success on their first outing. With a novice goalie, and the first outing as a team, they took a little while to get going, losing out 3-0 to Ben Rhydding 3rd team. However, they drew two (0-0 and 1-1), and finished off the tournament with 4-0 victory over Adel 2nd’s. A really fantastic team outing, and a day to be proud of!
Under 14 Girls
With all but 2 of the squad playing their first competitive 11 a side game on a full size pitch Slazenger under 14 girls grew quickly into the tournament. An opening 4-0 defeat to Wakefield was much closer than the score line suggests. The back line of Imogen Kiki and Brooke played exceedingly well with Charlotte in goals making some great saves.
The second game formation was changed to a back four which resulted in a narrow 2-0 defeat to Harrogate. The girls did everything but score, but it was evident the girls were getting use to the new format. Sophie, Evie, Edie and Ruby worked well together in midfield and played some lovely passing hockey. In the final game the girls improved yet again, Kiki and May solid in defence and with Ruby outstanding in midfield. All their hard work resulted in a well deserved win. Eleanor finding the net first, followed by a goal from player of the tournament Erin on her Slaz debut.
Under 16 Boys
Slazengers Under-16s were unable to make an impact in their second Yorkshire Youth League tournament of the season as they narrowly lost all three games to be relegated back to Division Two.
First opponents Doncaster went two goals up as one of their players, who plays in the Men’s National League, took control. The Slaz defence of Joe Minchella, Tommy Randle, Isaac Burrows, Alex Stacey and keeper Aidan Coughtrey did well to prevent further goals and, with two minutes left, they were awarded a short corner and Rhys Hancock scored to reduce the deficit. But Slaz ran out of time to find an equaliser as it finished 2-1. The National League player then left to play a club game and did not feature against either Harrogate or Wakefied, who were Slazengers’ next opponents.
Wakefield took the lead early through a well-drilled short corner and although Hancock finished off a fine move to equalise, Wakefield broke upfield after a period of Slaz dominance to net the winner in another 2-1 defeat.
The final game against Harrogate was end to end but Slaz were unable to capitalise on their chances and Harrogate won it with the only goal.
Despite the disappointing results, the Slazengers players performed well and will be determined to fight their way back into Division One in the next tournament.
