Ladies 2nd’s (1) vs. (3) Tadcaster 1st’s
Slazenger with a full squad available were determined to start the game strong, and took the advantage of a free pitch before the game to have an intense warm up, lead by today’s captain Alex. The first half was fairly even between Slaz and Tadcaster, with both sides having chances on goal, but both defences stood strong. Tadcaster were first to break the deadlock, getting a lucky deflection off a defender on a short. Slazenger replied with a short corner goal of their own. Evie putting the ball in, fighting for it on the post.
Slazenger started the second half a bit slow and Tadcaster retook the lead, working around the Slazenger players with good one twos. This woke Slaz up, and they mounted some attacks of their own. Slazengers were awarded a flick after another good short corner, a Tadcaster foot on the line prevented Hannah scoring, but unfortunately the keeper made a good save and the game remained 2-1. Slaz kept pressing for an equaliser but unfortunately Tadcaster used the space created and hit Slaz in the break to cement the win. Slaz put their bodies on the line (especially Ni and her nose) but the game finished 1-3. Player went to Courtney for some excellent tracking back, winning the ball back numerous times.
U12 Girls Match Reports
We had three teams out playing again today in the last u12 tournament of the season which coincided with Mother’s Day so I want to start off by saying that I hope all the Slaz Mum’s have had a wonderful day! The A team were playing in the league play offs in Wakefield, the B team were in Division 3 at Slaz and the C team travelled to Ben Rhydding to play in Division 4. It should be noted that today’s weather conditions were awful but this did not stop the juniors from playing some fantastic hockey and finishing the season with some exceptional results!
U12 Girls A Team
Slazenger (3) vs. (1) Kingston-Upon-Hull
The team started strong from the start of the game, with Rosie making a brilliant cross to Edie who was unlucky to not score. Throughout the tournament, Lorna was absolutely solid at stopping balls from getting past her. Lorna also made some fantastic quick free hits which set the team off in attack and it was one of these which was passed to Amelia, who crossed to Edie which resulted in a goal. It was a special goal as Edie was taken down by an opposition player but still struck the ball and scored!! The opposition were quick to react and did score a goal in response but Slaz were also quick to respond. Another quick long corner taken by Lorna was received by Edie who scored her second goal of the day. Super sub, Beth came on and worked hard. The team were regarded with a final goal after a lovely pass from Matilda to Rosie, who took the ball into the D to score ending the game 3-1.
Slazenger (0) vs. (0) Lindum
The girls started strongly and played confidently but could not find the goal despite the opportunities. Matilda and Lorna in defence worked hard, with Ami making some key saves. The game ended 0-0.
Slazenger (1) v (0) City of York 2
The team again played confidently and defended a short corner well and a solid clearance from Ami set the team off in attack earning a short corner. Play continued and the team took advantage of a quick long corner with Lorna passing to Rosie. Rosie crossed to Lauren who’s initial shot was saved but she followed up and scored on the rebound. Again the opposition equalised but the team were determined to win and Amelia drove into the D to score the winner, it was a beautiful goal lifted in the back of the net ending the game 2-1. This meant that the team qualified first and would face York 1 in the semi finals.
Slazenger (1) vs. (0) City of York 1 – SEMI FINAL
Semi final against York. To be honest I umpired this game and have no recollection of what happened except Amelia scored and the team held firm to win the game 1-0, securing their place in the final against Thirsk.
Slazenger (4) vs. (1) Thirsk – FINAL
Final against Thirsk (Thanks Ben for the match report)The team were absolutely on fire from the start of this game with an excellent run through on goal from Lauren earning a short corner. It was well executed from Amelia to Rosie to score the first goal of the game. An absolutely fantastic first time finish from Edie gave the team the second goal. It was a dominant start by the Slaz team who had a great press earning another short corner which was well defended by Thirsk. Edie missed a sitter after an excellent ball in from Lauren (Ben is Edie’s dad so he’s qualified to have this opinion ). Another well earned short corner was well executed by Amelia and Rosie. Slaz continued to have the possession in attacking third and continued to apply the pressure. There was great defending from Lorna and Matilda in defence. A quick pass from the defence to Lauren who made a great run and finished with a fantastic shot and goal making it 4-0. A slight lapse of concentration at the defensive end resulted in a goal for Thirsk but didn’t matter as game finished 4-1 to Slaz and they were crowned U12 Play off Champions for the second year running! Thanks as ever to Milsy for coaching the girls
The A team do have at least one more tournament as they play in the England Hockey, Yorkshire and North East Cup Finals day in Durham on the 14th April. If they are successful at the Cup, it could mean one further tournament at the National Finals!!!
Under 12 Girls B Team
The team were out playing their last tournament this season and finished on a high with some fabulous hockey on display, despite cold and wet weather!
Game 1 – Leeds 1 (draw 1-1), scorer: Harriette
Game 2 – Leeds Adel 3 (1-0 win), scorer: Eleanor
Game 3 – Ben Rhydding 2 (2-0 win) scorer:Darcie (2)
Game 4 – Leeds Adel 1 (0-0)
Game 5 – Wakefield (1-0 win), scorer: Darcie
Eleanor worked hard moving the ball up field and crossing into the D. Her short corners were on fire today; in game 2 she showed off her text book stop and strike from the top of D and the ball hitting the back board in seconds. Darcie scored in both Ben Rhydding (2 goals) and Wakefield matches. Her practice on short corner push outs paid off with consistent and fast balls out. Darcie also had great positioning in the D but then tracked back to defend and work the ball upfield too.
Lillianna was kept busy in a few matches today, but showing her confidence and great keeping skills she blocked many shots on goal. Phoebe played in defence, out of her usual midfield position today but both Katie and Phoebe worked well together making great tackles and clearing the ball throughout the tournament. Phoebe even pushed up in the later matches showing off her great midfield skills as she got in to the flow more.
Jess showed some fantastic versatility moving from mid to forward to defense today. In every position she demonstrated great determination and positioning. Izzy as usual worked hard in midfield, covering the wings well and tracking back to defend but then all then pushing all the way up to make shots on the goal.
Harriette scored a great goal in the first game from a cross from Eleanor, bring us to draw after one slipped through. Harriette also showed great determination and battling despite the cold weather, getting back to defend, push onto the oppositions – securing her player of the tournament! Thanks to Ruby FF for umpiring today and Gemma for managing the girls today and all season.
U12 Girls C Team
With a few girls unavailable, the team had a few u10 boys step up to help out. However the girls started strongly and were dominant in their first game against Ben Rhydding 4s. It was Georgie who scored the only goal in this game, but the whole team worked well together and the end score was 1-0.
The second game against Leeds Adel 2, and following a mix up at the back, it allowed the opposition to score in first minute of the game. However the team fought back, and were rewarded with goals from Matthew and Alistair ending the game 2-1. The third game against Huddersfield had some lovely hockey, with Emmy pushing the team forward. The team were determined to win, and did not give up. Their determination was rewarded as with the last hit of the game, a ball from Matthew to Alistair gave the team the goal which ended the game 1-0.
The final game of the day was against Ben Rhydding 3. There were some good runs by Georgie and Lyla along with some solid defending from Penny, Ella and Hollie. Special thanks to Harry for stepping up as GK, he made a cracking save to keep the team in the game and the match ended 0-0. These fantastic results meant that the team came first in their division which is a brilliant achievement for this team. Player of the tournament went to Emmy for her solid performance. Thanks to Rob for managing the team today and Damo for umpiring
U12 Boys Play-Offs
The boys were in Wakefield today for their penultimate outing of the season for the U12 Play offs, playing against the other seven best teams in Yorkshire.
Slazenger (1) vs. (1) Chesterfield (Scorer: Alfie)
A team we have played a number of times this season, with mixed results, and we were determined to start this tournament strongly following our slow starts recently. A slight formation change saw Dominic partner Ethan at the back, with Ollie moving into centre midfield. We started strongly and took the game to Chesterfield, with Ollie working hard in midfield ensuring Chesterfield’s danger man had very little of the ball. As usual Alfie and Charlie did their best to create chances for the team, with Owen working hard up front and helping in midfield when needed. We soon went 1-0 up with a lovely strike from Alfie. Chesterfield did not offer much in attack and anything they did was cleaned up by Dominic and Ethan, with Nikolai having not much to do at all. That said, Chesterfield had a free hit just outside the D, and the ball was played in from the left and Chesterfield played tried a weak reverse pass that someone found its way though our defence, blind sided Nikolai and crept in for tbe equaliser. This was against the run of play. Charlie, Owen, Ollie and Alfie tried their best to get a winner although this did not come.
Slazenger (0) vs. (1) v Sheffield
A team we played in the Cup earlier in the season and we really wanted to go out and win this. We started strong again with Alfie driving down the left wing and putting in some excellent crosses/ cross field balls for Owen and Charlie, although we couldn’t make the most of them. Sheffield made a few chances and took the lead, following a save Nikolia which was followed up and slotted away by Sheffield. Nate, Noah and Charlie Leonard were introduced to the game to try and freshen thing up. Both Noah and Nate made some good runs down the wings, although we were unable to create any clear cut chances, although Owen kept working hard. Charlie Leonard did exactly what I asked him to do and was a nuisance in the middle of the park, running, tackling and really getting stuck in. Unfortunately we could turn the hard work into a goal.
Slazenger (1) vs. (0) Adel [Scorer: Alfie]
The boys were up for getting a win in the last group game and started strongly with Owen working hard to create chances up front. Alfie, Charlie and Ollie work extremely hard in midfield and Ethan and Dom made some cracking tackles and interceptions throughout the game. We took the lead with Owen showing his incredible work rate yet again, dropping into Midfield and working the ball out right before crossing for Alfie, who scored with a first time sweep into the back of the net. Adel then put a little pressure on with Nikolai called into action making a couple of important saves to keep the game 1-0
We then needed Sheffield to do us a favour in beating Chesterfield to ensure us a semi final spot, although this didn’t happen with the game ending 0-0. We were faced with a 5th / 6th place play off with Wakefield.
Slazenger (0) vs. (1) Wakefield
Always a close game and this was no different. Noah, Nate and Charlie Leonard all started this game and worked hard as they had done in previous games. Noah made a great run down the right wing earlier on in the game, taking on 3 players before crossing into the D, although the Wakefield defence cleared the ball.
Ethan and Dominic continued to work hard and made some great tackles, although a lack of concentration left 2-3 Wakefield players running through on goal, and although Nikolai made the initial save, the rebound was put away for a Wakefield lead. Charlie, Alfie and Ollie then came on and tried to make the difference, Charlie made a few great runs down the right although could not quite turn the runs into scoring opportunities. Owen worked hard to try create his own chances by dropping into miidfield, but again could not create a clear goal scoring chance. We kept pushing to the end with Ollie and Alfie working hard to stem the Wakefield attacks, turning them into our own attacks. Unfortunately we were unable to make any chances count, and we lost the game 1-0.
We ended up finishing 6th today, although looking at the bigger picture, this meant we were 6th throughout all of the U12 boys teams in Yorkshire, and our boys should be extremely proud of their performances this season. I’ve said this before this season, but if we had finished the chances we created today, things could have bee so different. That said, I am super proud of all the boys and what they have achieved this season.
Player of the tournament was once again Owen. Owen has now won this award two tournaments running and although this is not something I usually like to do, he deserves it. His constant running, hard work, dropping back to help midfield, creating his own chances, creating chances for others and his goal scoring, meant that he was our best player on the day.
For any up coming u10 /u12 player wanting to know the level of work rate and determination they should be showing in each and every game they play, all they need to do is watch Owen. Fantastic play Owen. Thank you to Keith Leonard for umpiring today. Apologies for the poor photos as we had to get off the pitches for the final games. Also apologies for Ethan and Charlie Leonard being missing from pics.
