Ladies 1sts (3) vs. (3) Driffield 1sts
The ladies 1’s travelled to Driffield on Saturday to take on the leagues top side. Having failed to gain a point away from home in recent weeks – Slaz hoped to put an end to the points drought. In a stop start game which was played in the best spirit by both teams, it was Slaz who took the lead with a well executed short corner on the 20 minute mark when Field hammered in a straight strike from the top of the D. After an impressive defensive display, keeping out a plethora of short corners, the league leaders managed an equaliser shortly before half time.
The second half saw Slaz again apply the pressure in a determined effort to take 3 points, however, with decisions that neither side understood and Slaz having gone down to 10 with 25 minutes to go their mission seemed unlikely. Driffield took advantage and scored 2 in quick succession. The Slaz spirit kicked in once more and when an unexpected penalty flick was awarded to Slaz, Coops converted to give the team a renewed vigour.
The stop start game meant that there were 8 extra minutes for Slaz to get the elusive point, as the clock ticked down a quickly taken sideline ball from Coops sent the ball to the Driffield D, the slightest touch from captain Tyrrell sent the ball into the top corner stunning both the home and visiting team. Final score 3:3 and a long awaited point away from home for the ladies in green.
MVP – mini Minch #shinpadsmasher #trafficlightofcards
Ladies 2nds (2) vs. (6) Acomb 1sts
Ladies 2’s lost 6-2 to Acomb 1sts in a closer game than the scoreline gives credit for. Goals from Tuscany Mellor and Mia Davis.
Ladies 3rds (0) vs. (6) Horsforth 1sts
Slaz played top of the league on Saturday and they were top of the league for a reason. Slaz ladies had only 11 players but they didn’t let that phase them. Horsforth showed their skill and speed from the start and attacked slaz defence having many attempts on goal.
They distributed the ball well but slaz defence made good interceptions throughout. In the first half Slaz received 2 short corners, in the first one Linda Stacey slipped the ball to Ellie McWilliams who had a strike which was saved by Horsforth’s keeper. Then in the second one, Linda slipped the ball to Caro Schofield who took a strike but was also saved by their keeper.
Despite some great saves from Lizzie Tunstall, by half time we were 0-3 down but nevertheless slaz kept persevering with some attacking from Caro, Caitlin McGrath and Ellie. Despite all our efforts the game finished with a score of 0-6. Well done to all 11 players and better luck next game.
Player went to Ellie McWilliams.
Ladies 4th’s (3) vs. (2) Huddersfield Dragons 1st’s
The ladies 4th team face Huddersfield Dragons 3rd team this weekend at home and with the Dragons just above the Slazenger side in the league, the home team we’re hopeful. Unfortunately the game didn’t quite start as planned with Huddersfield quickly scoring. Slazenger’s soon gained control and following a attacking short corner which went wide, Ingrid Coughtrey found the net and 10 minutes later, found it again with a Suberb strike from the top of the D.
Whilst Slazenger’s dominated the first half, Huddersfield’s youthful team managed to equalise shortly before the half time whistle. Huddersfield came back on the pitch with increased energy but with Sarah Paverley, Steph Clements and Sara Chilton in defence, play soon returned with Freja Wilson preventing Huddersfield breaking through. New player Abby Horn supported the right attack and Lyn Wood in the middle received the ball and put the Slazenger in the lead 3-2.
Huddersfield wanted the win and the Slazenger team needed to work hard for the last 10 minutes, defending several short corners. Slazenger’s held on and took the win 3-2 to Slazenger’s. player – Abby Horn.
Mens 1st’s (1) vs. (2) Leeds 4th’s
Lost 2-1 away at Leeds 4ths. Richard Tuddenham scored Slazengers single goal.
Mens 2nd’s (10) vs. (1) Doncaster 4th’s
Slazenger enjoyed a comfortable 10-1 victory over Doncaster 4ths. Early in the game, it was a well contested game, with end to end action. However, after ten minutes, Slaz began to take control of the game and hold possession. Asad Baig broke the deadlock with trademark style, and after that the dam broke. A second from Baig, followed by goals from Keith Leonard, Alex Stacey and Damo Grieg gave the team a 5 goal cushion at half time.
However, the best was yet to come. In the second half, Slaz played some of theit best hockey of the season, moving the ball around the pitch and regularly finding holes in tje Doncaster defence. Credit goes to the visiting goalkeeper whose shot stopping kept Doncaster in the game. Baig netted the final of his hat trick, striking a reverse shot into the top corner so fast, the goalie had no time to react.
Hedges scored a single goal, with Grieg netting 2 more to finish his hat trick. Keith Leonard wrapped up the scoring with a spectacular top corner strike to go 10-0 up with minutes to go. Unfortunately, Doncaster managed to nick a consolation goal with seconds left. But otherwise it was an impressive performance from the team to wrap up before Christmas.
Mens 3rd’s (0) vs. (6) Thirsk 2nd’s
This week Slazenger Men 3’s travelled to Thirsk; the young team were one man down, due to illness.
It was going to be a tough game today, playing second in the league. But Slazenger started well with great work in the midfield by Max Godley and Ben Graham who were able to support some great play in attack by Matthew Smith and George Bentley.
Thirsk were quick on the counter attack and some excellent passing created their first goal. Slazenger kept working hard and the defence, lead by captain Simon Taylor were tight and many changes were thwarted. With only minutes left in the first half, Slazenger were very unlucky awarded a flick against them. Which was taken well, and Slaz went into half time 2-0 down.
There were a lot of positives from a strong first half and after a great half time talk the team was ready to battle again. Jack Lee and Tommy Randle worked well together on the right side to both stop many attacks and also work the ball back up the pitch.
Thirsk however were getting the better of the game and two quick goals made getting any points from the game nearly impossible. But Slaz did not give up. Great play from Alan Perry and some strong runs from Lucas Smith gave the team some great field position. With 4 subs, the Thirsk team were able to bring fresh legs back on and this showed in the last quarter of the game. Player of the Match Aidan Coughtrey pulled off some amazing saves to stop further scores. But ultimately Thirsk was the better team and managed to put another two goals away, making it 6-0.
The Slazenger men showed some true grit and they never stopped working for each other. They came off the pitch with their heads held high, ready for one more game before the Christmas break against Harrogate next week.
Mens 4th’s (2) vs. (3) Bradford 3rd’s
An under strength team travelled out to Bradford, losing 2 – 3. Harry Buttery was the scorer of both goals.
Mens 5th’s (0) vs. (2) Sheffield University Bankers 7th’s
Sometimes the sun, moon and stars align, the hockey Gods have a chat and you end up having a day which makes an away game in Hull in February bearable. Don’t get me wrong, the mighty 5’s didn’t manage a win (well we only lost 2-0 so it can be argued a moral victory), but there are more factors to why running around a pitch for an hour when your overweight and over 50 is worthwhile. Firstly the game excused me from decorating, Xmas shopping and trimming the tree.
Secondly we had been informed that 3 of our stalwart players who shall remain nameless had, like rats leaving the sinking ship, ran away to the bright lights and heady promotion potential heights of the 4th team. Fortunately both teams were meeting at the same time so Chugger Chilton, Kene Dene and Richard Coughtrey-Hendrix were subject to 15 minutes of unmerciless ribbing.
Much fun and merriment ensued in the journey to meet Sheffield Bankers and the game was played in great spirit. Loads of good natured banter with the umpires ensured we got the benefit from most of the borderline decisions. Indeed they gave Carl the Calf so much leeway each time he booted the ball away we started appealing for the opposition. Both goals were conceded due to the keeper being unsighted due to the 3.75 metre combined buttock width of our two central defenders, surely something must be done about this over the festive season.
A couple of pints and more merriment afterwards with the team was accompanied by the Yorkshire sporting delicacy of chip butties. Young Josh and Aaron have both started to really take their post match mickey taking duties seriously, which is great for us veterans to see. The journey home was followed by watching some of our kids playing well in their development game, a couple more pints, club house banter and a Shans. Super.
M.O.M. Topper “managed to stop a shot this week” Stopper.
C.O.M. Big Briceps performed triple pirouette followed by double somersault in trying to stop a ball before ending up on his backside.
Mens 6th’s (3) vs. (3) City of York 10th’s
The last time we played York, the Dev’s fell to their biggest defeat of the season so far, so we knew that this would be a tough test for our young team.
York started very strongly and the first 10 minutes were played in the Slaz half, but good defending from Ollie Leonard, Dene Minchella and Richard Coughtrey kept York scoreless. The home team found their feet however and pinched a goal against the run of play with Keith Leonard providing the pass for Luke Minchella to score with a good strike from the top of the D. York hit back quickly though with a good move creating space on the back post for a tap in to level the scores.
The remainder of the first half was an even contest with chances at either end. Eleanor Randle, Evie Mollart and Ruby Fawdington-Fisher went close to scoring for Slaz, whilst workmanlike performances from Dan Bailey, Curtis Jones, Amar Khalil, Owen Coughtrey and man of the match Oliver Ford kept the York midfield at bay to ensure the halftime score line remained one a piece.
York started the second half strongly and quickly scored with a firmly hit shot midway into the D which beat keeper Jack Hancock. Slaz pushed forward, aided by the introduction of Amir Khalil to put pressure on the York defence. This finally paid off mid-way through the half following a good pass from Amir Khalil to Luke Minchella who skilfully took the ball past the mesmerised York defence to score his second of the game.
Slaz pressed for the winner, but were caught on the counter attack by York. Scrambling Slaz defence prevented the goal, but forced a short corner, which was hit home by York to take the lead with ten minutes remaining.
Once again, Slaz had to press forward to salvage something out of the game and several chances were thwarted by the York defence. With less than a minute to go though, Luke Minchella went on another trademark run into the D, hitting the ball home from an initial rebound to get his hat trick and to grab a well-earned draw.
Whilst the York team may have been older and more skilful, the dogged determination shown by the Slaz youngsters in this game and throughout the season ensured that they were up to the challenge.
