The second weekend of the league season got underway on Saturday. The men’s 1st’s, 2nds and 3rds were hosting visiting sides, while the rest of the squads were travelling; only the Ladies 4ths had a rest week.
It was a mixed set of results across the patch, with the Ladies 2nd’s putting up the biggest win of the weekend to follow on from last weeks win. The ladies 1st’s remain unbeaten after a hard fought draw to Huddersfield; Zoe Dawson scoring her first goal for the club. Similarly, the ladies 3rd’s continued their winning run with a win on the road at Wakefield, with Tracy picked up an impressive clean sheet. The mens squads had a tougher weekend, with only the 3rd team picking up a win; their first of the season to go alongside Captain Damian Greig scoring his 100th goal for the club.
Men’s 1st’s (1) vs. (2) Halifax 1st’s
After a significant win last weekend. Slazenger looked to host Halifax 1sts for their first home game of the season. Missing a couple of key players, the team set to work looking for another 3 points.
Halifax were a strong side and attacked at pace. Slaz took the lead through Asad Baig’s powerful short corner strike, which settled nerves for the side early on. However, the home side struggled to convert further pressure into more goals. Halifax equalised and in the last minutes of the game scored a winner to take the points. The firsts go looking for more points next week at Leeds Hockey Club.
Men’s 2nd’s (2) vs. (4) Huddersfield 2nd’s
A weakened Mens’ 2nd’s hosted local side Huddersfield 2nd’s on saturday. The home side were short of several key midfielders and it showed in the organisation on the pitch. Slaz worked hard, and when they moved the ball quick, they posed a serious threat to the visitors. An early goal from Richard Tuddenham showed that the team had goal scoring opportunities available. Tuddenham followed up later in the second half, to put Slaz 2-1 up at half time. Early in the second half however Tuddenham was injured and Huddersfield were able to capitalise, netting 3 more goals in the process. Slaz travel to Sheffield next week, looking to get their first points of the season.
Men’s 3rd’s (2) vs. (1) Leeds Adel 5th’s
The game started quite cagey and end to end, with both teams having a few half chances. Tommy Randell stood out as a rock at the back for Slazenger, tackling strong then distributing the ball well. There was a barrage of short corners for both teams, but neither side could quite put one away. The rotation of the home team substitutes were made at the right times to keep energy levels up, and the Slaz players slipped into position well, making sure their shape was maintained. 0-0 at half-time.
The second half continued in the same pattern as the first, both teams seemingly cancelling each other out, but some players began getting stuck in more, with great, positive pressing at pace. A break from Adel led to them winning a penalty stroke, which was duly converted to take the lead. As the game continued, the vociferous home crowd were being suitably entertained as Slazenger kept the press, winning more short corners, until finally the pressure lead to a penalty stroke of their own, converted by Damian Greig to score his 100th goal for Slazenger.
Aidan Coughtrey excelled in goal for Slaz, making a number of brave and important saves to keep Adel at bay. Pressure, and a growingly fractious atmosphere, began to tell as cards were shown to both sides, reducing the teams to 10 players each for a short period.
Slazenger continued to push forward, keeping control of the ball higher up the pitch, and a brilliant winner was eventually scored by James Swinden. The final score, 2-1 to Slazenger, reflected the tense and even nature of this competitive match which, on balance, was the right and fair result.
Men’s 4th’s (1) vs. (2) Aire Valley 4th’s
The 4s travelled to Aire Valley with just 11 men and held the hosts off for the first half managing to avoid conceding while creating some half chances. Just prior to half time the 4s were forced to 10 men due to injury. The second half continued in the same pattern as the first with chances at both ends but the hosts were the first to capitalise with a shot from the top of the D. We did manage to equalise but tired legs allowed valley to retake the lead just minutes later. Final score 2-1 to the hosts.
Development (1) vs. (3) Lindum
The development team travelled to Lindum for a mid-day fixture against a traditionally strong opposition. Slaz scored through a goal from Owen Wiper, but unfortunately conceded 3 in response from the home side.
Ladies 1st’s (3) vs. (3) Huddersfield Dragons 1st’s
The Slazengers Ladies 1s faced Huddersfield Dragons in an intense and evenly matched game this Saturday. Slazengers had several debuts this weekend from Zoe, Marissa and young gun Rebecca. Both teams came out strong, and the competition was fierce right from the start. Huddersfield Dragons broke the deadlock first, scoring midway through the first half. However, Slazengers quickly responded with a brilliant team effort. Rudgey made a crucial cross into the circle, and Laura Tasdale timed her run perfectly to deflect the ball into the net, bringing the score to 1-1 at half-time.
The second half saw Slazengers take the lead early. Captain Hannah, along with Nicci and Zoe, orchestrated a superb team goal, with Zoe Dawson netting to put Slazenger ahead. Despite this, Dragons mounted a counterattack and managed to score twice in quick succession, pushing through our resilient defence, which had been immense throughout. Emma, Imogen, Elizabeth, Mollie and new girl Marissa worked tirelessly at the back, with Dani in goal making some critical saves, especially on her birthday weekend.
Slazengers didn’t let up and found the equaliser from a well-executed short corner. Frankie Tyrrell took charge and powered the ball into the net, ensuring the game ended in a fair 3-3 draw. Overall, it was an outstanding team performance with everyone playing their part. The game was competitive and hard-fought, with both teams deserving the shared result. Man of the match was shared between Marissa and Emma.
Ladies 2nd’s (5) vs (1) Leeds 5th’s
Saturday marked our first away game of the season, against Leeds. After the buzz of winning our first game, we were pumped and eager to gain another 3 points.
As soon as the whistle blew, we made some great runs up the pitch breaking through Leeds’ defence. Maisie Davies scored our first goal assisted by Ella and not long later Lou Haigh scored a second, assisted by Lucy Hodson. Defence were making some immense blocks, with strong tackles by Andrea, Lisa and Bella. Birthday girl Erin also worked well to stop Leeds from scoring, making some fantastic saves. It wasn’t long before Maisie Davies went and scored another amazing goal which was assisted by Stacey.
Despite how hard Slaz worked, Leeds had a break which they managed to capitalise on and score. Ni, Lucy Hodson, Stacey, Courtney, Lucy Howarth all made further fantastic runs up the pitch, hungry for more goals to be scored. Eventually, the ball found Haigh’s stick, who put it in the back of the net. Mia, maisie and Lou all worked extremely well upfront which paid off and Slaz was awarded yet another goal, this time by Mia Davies! Full time finished 5-1 to Slaz.
Player was joint this week between Lou for her amazing goals, and defender Andrea for fantastic runs and for stopping many advances by Leeds. A special shout out to goalkeeper Erin who turned 18 on Saturday.
Ladies 3rd’s (2) vs. (0) Wakefield 4th’s
Avoiding the car parking charges meant car sharing for the ladies 3’s heading to college grove to take on Wakefield 4’s in their second game of the season. Maintaining their unbeaten record in this local derby was the priority, whilst GK Tracy took up the challenge to keep up the clean sheets record. The usual last minute (literally) arrival of Nicole and Slaz were ready and fired up in their red kit, (to avoid the clash of Green) to bring home the points.
Richtea controlled the defence, allowing Thea to make the runs to thwart any attack. At times Tracy was put under real pressure, forcing her to make numerous crucial saves. The umpires decision to disallow Sarah Sykes’ short corner flick into the back of the net was overturned to give slaz the lead at half time.
This was followed in the second half when she set up Gemma Wroe for a cheeky reverse chip in. New to the team Alys was a great addition to the 3’s this week battling hard and hungry for the ball, whilst player of the match Mandy stepped up from the 4’s to drive the right wing. Final score 2:0. 3 points and a clean sheet.
Ladies 4th’s had no game this weekend
