Men’s 1st’s (2) vs. (4) Lindum 2nd’s
The men’s 1sts travelled out to rainy Lincoln for a battle against the hosts 2nd team. Unfortunately, the visitors were not able to match the conversion rate of the home side and ran out second placed. Goals came from Isaac Fisher and Danny Perry.
Men’s 2nd’s (3) vs. (4) Leeds Adel 3rd’s
In time honoured cliché, the Seconds battle against visitors Leeds Adel 3rd’s genuinely was a game of two halves. In a rainy encounter, it was the hosts who started the brightest. A strong combination of Amir Khalil and Paul Wiper in the centre controlled the game and distributed the ball well. However, defensive confusion led to Adel netting the softest of tap-ins. However, Slaz struck back through a long aerial thrown by Khalil finding Iah Hedges on the right side who slotted it between the keepers pads to equalise.
The traffic through the first half continued to be with Slaz, who netted two more and missed another handful. Asad Baig converted a sweeping passing move from the team, and converted a penalty corner with a deadly strike from the top of the circle. The home side went in at the break 3-1 to the good.
However in the second half, things were not as simple. It was obvious that Adel had received the hairdryer treatment, and came back with intent. This was matched with a shocking 5 minutes from the home side midway through the half which allowed the visitors to net 3 goals. With time running out, Slaz reorganised, but it was too little, too late. Unfortunately, the side had thrown away a 2 goal lead. Isaac Burrows had fantastic game at the back to take the Man of the Match awards.
Men’s 3rd’s (4) vs. (1) City of York 6th’s
The men’s 3rd’s hosted City of York 6th’s, coming away with a well earned 3 points from the encounter. Damian Greig netted a brace, while Matt Smith and Mark Hammond netted a goal apiece.
Men’s 4th’s vs. – CANCELLED DUE TO OPPOSITION
Men’s 5th’s (1) vs. (2) Halifax 4th’s
Slaz Men 5s took on Halifax 4s on a wet and windy day in Calderdale. Most of the early possession went Halifax’s way, overrunning the Slaz midfield on numerous occasions to run up an early 2-0 lead. As the half progressed, Slaz gradually started getting more possession, particularly through our midfield star player Amar Khalil, but we were still two goals down at half time.
Slaz were a team transformed after half-time, better pass completion and quicker ball speed, combined with a change of formation following an on pitch call by Amar to move to 5 in midfield. Slaz were making repeated in-roads into the Halifax defence and well-worked link up play lead to Keith Stevenson scoring and getting Slaz back in the game.
At the other end of the pitch, keeper Adam Garside pulled off some superb saves to keep Slaz in the match whilst we searched for the equaliser. Sadly, a second goal eluded us and the game ended 2-1 to Halifax. Man of the match was Adam Garside for his superb saves, and special mention to Amar who was just superb all match and ran rings around the Halifax midfield. “Cockadoodle-do” was Daz Bailey for forgetting both match fees and beer money! #epicfail.
Men’s 6th’s vs. Wakefield – CANCELLED DUE TO OPPOSITION
Ladies 1st’s (6) vs. (1) Harrogate 2nd’s
Slaz Ladies 1sts enjoyed a comprehensive 6-1 victory against Harrogate 2nds. The result never looked in doubt and Slaz were on the attack from the first whistle. It only took a few minutes for Frankie, returning from one of hockey’s shortest ever retirements to score the first. There then followed a bizarre passage of play, it is rare enough to see the crossbar hit at any time, but Slaz managed it twice in less than a minute! The pressure continued for almost the entire half and was rewarded with further goals for Rudgie and Maisie for a comfortable 3-0 half time lead.
As conditions worsened maybe it was not surprising that the second half began in more muted fashion. The game became more even in cold wind and rain and midway through the second half Harrogate managed to pull a goal back. Far from being the start of a comeback, this seemed to spark Slaz back into life and they finished the match strongly with further goals from Maisie and a Harrogate defender before Hannah rounded off the game with a sweet strike.
A really good win, Maisie was a well-deserved player of the match. On to Adel next weekend.
Ladies 2nd’s vs. Wakefield Wanderers
Game cancelled as Wakefield wanderers have folded
Ladies 3rd’s (0) vs. (7) Otliensians
The ladies 3s travelled to Horsforth to play Otliensians in what proved to be a very tough game. The home team started well and were awarded a penalty corner after 8 minutes which took a lucky deflection to find the back of the goal. Within a minute, Otliensians scored from their second penalty corner of the match to lead 2-0 at half time. Despite everyone working really hard in the second half, the home team showed their superiority and scores another 5 goals. Slaz went close on a few occasions but just couldn’t beat the home team’s defence and the final score was 7-0. Player of the match went to Imogen Kirk-Smith who worked tirelessly throughout the match. Lots of work to do in training but the ladies 3s will keep working hard and learn from the experience.
Ladies 4th’s (4) vs. (3) Leeds Adel 5th’s
The Ladies 4th team played their first league match this weekend against Leeds Adel 5th Team. Ingrid Coughtry was first to score for Slazenger’s but very soon, Adel equalised and this set the pace for the remainder of the game. Evie Mollart was next to find the net taking the score to 2:1 at half time.
Returning to the pitch, Slazenger’s effort was rewarded with 2 goals in quick succession by Frankie Tyrrell and Lyn Wood’s goal supported by new play Emma Hammond. Forever hopeful of the win, Slazenger’s were surprised by Adel’s fight back and soon they too scored 2 further goals in quick succession. The final minutes left Slazenger’s holding on with Adel making a last attempt for the draw hit the post shortly before the final whistle.
A win for Slazenger’s – 4:3. Player – Evie Mollart and Rachel Rutherford.
Boys Under 12’s It was great to see the Slazenger U12 boys finally back on the pitch for a tournament in the sunshine at Leeds Adel. George Garside and Harry Firth joined the team for their first hockey tournament, as well as Will Carr & Declan Buxton moving up to U12’s. The boys started strong in their first game against Chesterfield and were unlucky to go down 2-0.
Jack Sanderson in defence and Owen Coughtrey in the midfield kept working together well and Slazenger kept trying and had some changes by Will and Owen cleared by the keeper. Seth Hoole managed to score to bring it back to 2-1 but Slazenger did not have enough time to get the equaliser.
The second game Slazenger created plenty of changes through some great play in the midfield by Owen, supported by Will and Harry on the wings. Seth Hoole scored another goal, but Grimsby were able to equalise just before full time. Against Ben Rhydding Slazenger played their best game yet, the boys kept passing the ball and continued to work together well.
Soon the goals started to come 3 by Owen and another 2 of our tournament’s top scorer, Seth. Jack in goal with the help of Declan and George in defence kept a clean sheet.
Slazenger felt ready for their last game against Sheffield Hallam, and they went ahead when the ball was crossed in from the right by Declan to be tapped into the goal by Seth. It showed that the boys were getting tired and Sheffield Hallam were able to sneak two goal in. But some excellent saves from Jack and solid defence from George kept Slazenger in the game. With the last touch of the game, Will got his well- deserved first goal of the tournament. The players voted Owen Coughtrey their Player of the Tournament.
Thanks for all the great support for the team at training and at the tournament. If your son would like to try out hockey and join the boys at training on Tuesday nights please contact SlazengerHC@outlook.com for further information.
Photo
Back row (L to R): Will Carr – Harry Firth – Declan Buxton – Owen Coughtrey
Front row (L to R): George Garside – Jack Sanderson – Seth Hoole
Slazenger U18s (3) vs. (7) Leeds U18s
Slazenger Under-18s were unable to capitalise on a flying start as they bowed out of the EH Cup at home to Leeds. Conceding two goals in the first six minutes stunned the confident visitors but they gradually turned the match around thanks to their proficiency with short corners.
Leeds converted four of their five short corners and Slazenger only managed to score from one of their four, although this did put them into what appeared a strong position at 2-0 up. After weathering early pressure from Leeds, a good move in the third minute led to Luke Minchella turning the ball into the net after George Bentley’s initial shot.
A short corner to Slazenger three minutes later then resulted in a second goal as Max Godley shot and Tommy Randle provided the decisive touch.
It needed a couple of good saves by Aidan Coughtrey to preserve the advantage but Leeds finally broke through when a strong run into the D and a pass set up their first reply. Two converted short corners in the last five minutes of the first half then turned the tables as Leeds moved 3-2 ahead. Leeds scored the next four goals, two of them from penalty corners, as their two extra substitutes took advantage of tiring Slazenger legs in the second half.
But the hosts did have the final word when, in the last minute, a short corner ended in a penalty flick after Randle’s shot was blocked by a defender on the line with his body. Alex Stacey stepped up to score in the bottom corner. Slazenger now go into the consolation Plate competition for losing in the first round.
