Men’s 1st’s (2) vs. (0) University of Leeds 1st’s
Slazenger Men’s 1s made the trip to the University of Leeds for a late 5pm pushback under the floodlights, lining up with a strong side despite missing a few key players. This opened the door for young Harry Firth, who was brought into the fold for his second appearance of the season. Leeds, true to university form, relied on youthful energy and the fast pitch to move the ball quickly and drag Slazenger around the park in the early exchanges.
As the game settled, Slazenger’s experience began to tell. A well-worked move into the Leeds D eventually paid dividends, with Jordan Ingham arriving at the back post to crash the ball into the net and give Slaz a deserved lead. Leeds looked to respond with their direct style, forcing their way into the D and earning a close-range opportunity, but goalkeeper Andy Loftus produced a moment of brilliance—his cat-like reflexes tipping the effort past the post to preserve the advantage.
The second half saw Slazenger reorganise and return to the possession-based structure they know and love. Ollie Leonard found himself at the top of the D, pendulum in hand, and appeared to have doubled the lead with a sublime strike into the top corner, only for a dubious decision to chalk it off. Undeterred, Leonard soon found himself in the same position again, this time releasing a quick strike into the opposite corner to make no mistake. Slazenger continued to threaten and earned a short corner, giving Asad Baig and Ben Jackson the chance to unveil their new dummy routine after weeks of practice. Unfortunately for Jackson, it was clearly too late in the day—forgetting the ball always comes back to him, he scuffed the chance wide of an open goal.
Slazenger saw out the game with the sublime defence earning Loftus yet another clean sheet. They now turn their attention to next week, where they return home to face Halifax.
Men’s 2nds (5) vs. (2) Sheffield 4th’s
After a 6 week break over the Christmas period, it was clear that the 2nds had been impacted by some rich living and turkey as they warmed up on a damp Saturday morning. Away, Sheffield had been a slick outfit with some strong, youthful players who had troubled the slightly older 2nds. However as the game got going, it was clear that the travelling side was a little lighter in midfield maestros, and so Slazenger got go work.
It wasn’t long before the home side took the lead. A well placed pass from left wing Ian Hedges found James Stevenson to deftly beat the keeper with a well taken strike. While this looked to have set up Slazenger for a strong half, that was the only goal until the break. A little rust, a lot of turkey, and a helping of bad luck kept Slaz from converting any further goals.
Sheffield weren’t a spent force, and threatened several times. Going into the second half, there was always the risk of a bad spell letting the visitors back into the game. However, Slaz continued to find good spells of hockey, Richard Tuddenham selflessly playing Stevenson into space, for him to beat the keeper and dribble it into the back of the net for his second. In the ten minutes that followed, 3 more goals went in. Richard Tuddenham got 2; 1 from a penalty corner strike and 1 from a flowing move which freed him up to slot it past the keeper. Sheffield netted one in response showing they were still a threat.
Sheffield scored a second quickly after and looked to be forging a bit of a comeback before James Swinden beat 3 players and smashed the ball into the roof of the net to make it 5 and extend the lead. Sheffield battled until the end, and with legs tiring, Slaz had to hold on to the final whistle, but took the win and points.
Men’s 3rd’s (1) vs. (4) City of York 5th’s
The first game of 2026 saw the men’s 3s take on City of York’s 5’s. With a change of captaincy the team felt like this year was new season with the opportunity to try new things.
After a ropey opening 5 minutes the team started to get a grip on the game creating some good passing playing from the back to the front. After a couple of close opportunities Slaz found their way through the York defence with a good passage of play being finished off at the back post by Will Carr. York quickly woke back up with a counter attack ending in a penalty flick which was converted ending the first half 1-1.
The second half remained even for the most part, with Slaz having many opportunities narrowly missing the target. The final 10 minutes saw Slaz concede 3 goals, however the team came away happy having seen many improvements.
Men’s 4ths (0) vs. (3) Rotherham 3rd’s
Slazenger 4th team suffered a rare setback with a 3–0 away defeat to title rivals Rotherham in a clash between the league’s top two sides. Going into the match, Slazenger sat top of the table, with Rotherham in second, and the game reflected the intensity expected of a meeting between the division’s leading sides. The opening exchanges were competitive, with Slazenger looking to control possession while Rotherham pressed high and looked to create chances through quick breaks.
Rotherham made their pressure count in the first half, scoring twice to take control of the contest. Slazenger battled hard and created a handful of opportunities of their own, but were unable to find a breakthrough before the interval against a well-organised home defence. In the second half, Slazenger showed good character and pushed forward in search of a way back into the game. However, Rotherham remained disciplined and added a third goal after the break to effectively seal the result.
Despite the defeat, Slazenger remain first in the league, with Rotherham still close behind in second. The match served as a reminder of the fine margins at the top of the table, and Slazenger will be determined to bounce back strongly in their next fixture.
Development (1) vs. (2) Lindum
Slazenger development returned to action for our first outing of 2026 after last week’s Arctic conditions kindly cancelled hockey across the land. We welcomed Lindum, who made the long journey to Slaz for a late push-back. Pre-match chaos arrived in the form of a last-minute goalkeeper search. Enter Amelia, heroically stepping up between the posts despite never having played in goal before. No pressure.
The defensive unit of Katie, Georgie, Etta and Noah worked tirelessly to protect our newly recruited keeper, shutting down attack after attack. When Lindum did break through, Amelia produced some impressive clearances, showing no signs of panic (at least not outwardly). Despite the resistance, Lindum grabbed the opener after a fumble in the D.
Slaz responded well, pushing forward with confidence. The midfield link-up play was a real highlight, with Izzy and Alistair showing off lightning pace and skill down the right-hand side. Addy was outstanding in centre mid, driving the team forward, winning the ball back and linking play smoothly with those around her. The pressure paid off when Amelie pushed up in attack and was rewarded with a well-taken equaliser.
Up front, Jess, Ruth and Cerys were a constant threat, applying relentless pressure and tackling opposition adult players without hesitation. Jess was exceptional throughout the game, combining pace, skill and composure in attack. It was a complete attacking performance – this girl is on fire! With five minutes remaining, Lindum managed to break and score to retake the lead. Slaz didn’t give up, pushing hard for the equaliser. Noah and Katie drove the team forward in the closing moments, coming agonisingly close when Noah struck the post right at the end.
This was a real team performance, with everyone working for each other, supporting one another and showing great determination right to the final whistle. Huge thanks to Gemma W, Gemma S and Laura for being the supporting adults today, and to Owen for managing the subs. Player of the Match: Jess for a standout attacking performance. Donut of the Day: Amelia for a samba-style move in full GK kit! A debut to remember!
Onwards, 2026!
Ladies 1sts
Game cancelled
Ladies 2nd’s
Game cancelled
Ladies 3rd’s (3) vs. (0) Otliensians 1st’s
Slazenger Ladies 3s travelled to Horsforth to face Otliensians in a crucial league fixture, with Otley sitting just two points behind Slazenger at the top of the table. With so much at stake, the visitors knew a strong performance was essential.
The breakthrough came 14 minutes in. The ball was worked out to the right to wide defender Rebecca Furness, who found herself in space and drove powerfully the length of the pitch down the wing. Furness picked out Ellie Page, whose aerial cross dropped perfectly into the path of Caro Scofield. Scofield met it mid-air, producing an outstanding finish to give Slazengers a deserved 1–0 lead.
From that moment, Slazengers didn’t look back. The team settled into their rhythm, working cohesively and playing the confident hockey that has defined their season so far. Having provided the assist for the opener, Page soon made her own mark on the scoresheet. Showcasing her skill on the right wing, she wrong-footed the defenders, drove into the D and unleashed a powerful strike that beat the keeper, sending Slazengers into half-time with a commanding 2–0 advantage.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Slazengers enjoying the majority of possession. Otley did manage a few breaks down their right-hand side, but the defensive unit of Sarah Ritchey, Zoe Searson, Nicole Knox and Rebecca Furness stood firm. A series of well-timed tackles repeatedly turned defence into attack, frustrating the home side. With five minutes remaining, Slazengers sealed the result when Sian Glover scored a well-deserved third goal, confirming a 3–0 victory and maintaining Slazengers’ position at the top of the league.
The win was slightly overshadowed by injury, as defender Lucy England unfortunately took a ball to the hand early in the match that required hospital treatment.
Player of the Match was awarded to Caro Scofield, not only for her spectacular opening goal but also for her constant threat and dangerous presence in front of goal throughout the game.
Ladies 4ths (0) vs. (2) Wakefield 5th’s
Lost 2-0 to Wakefield 5th’s
U10 Girls Tournament Report
After a strong performance last tournament in division 2 Slaz U10 girls moved up to division 1 where the standard of the opposition was higher.
Slaz had a good tournament overall & didn’t look out of place. Their first match was a 1-0 loss against a strong Thirsk side. Their second was an unlucky 1-0 loss against Lindum who scored with the last touch of the game, although goalkeeper Frances made another top class save to go along with the fantastic one she made last tournament which was still being talked about by other coaches/parents. Their third match was a 1-0 win against Adel but was another close one, with the goal scored by Ella with a good dribble along the back line then a cut back to nudge it over the goal line in a crowded D. Their last match was a 0-0 draw with York which was a strong result considering they had won their other matches.
Frances had a busy day and was dependable as ever making a lot of saves. Maia was strong in defence making key tackles. Izzy played a mixture of defence & midfield either making strong tackles at the back or tracking back & helping out in midfield. Ella & Penny played in midfield & covered a lot of ground working between defence & attack. It was Hattie & Ellie’s first time playing in division 1 & although it the strongest teams they’ve played they got stuck in & we’re not intimidated both playing mostly on the wings. Maci was upfront & although Slaz didn’t have as many attacks as they would’ve liked Maci was always an option & chased down balls.
Slaz worked hard for each other & played some positive hockey, especially the last game where they defended the D brilliantly with York only having a couple of attacks. Difficult decision for who should get Player of the tournament but it went to Ella for her strong centre midfield performance & seeming to be everywhere on the pitch. Although Slaz may go back to division 2 (depending on the results as a whole) both coaches, Rob & Will, were very proud of the team performance.
U10 boys Tournament Report
Slazenger (2) vs (3) Ben Rhydding
Slazenger made a dream start, taking the lead inside the opening 30 seconds. Matthew delivered a perfectly weighted ball across the D for Dom who finished confidently to put Slazenger ahead. Remarkably, the same combination struck again just a minute later with Matthew once more finding Dom to double the advantage and stun the opposition. Ben Rhydding gradually worked their way back into the contest but Slazenger showed great resilience. Harry and Edward worked tirelessly in defence putting in crucial tackles and blocks while the goalkeeper produced several strong saves to keep the lead intact. Theo impressed with his pressing and ability to close down play, and Alfie maintained a high work rate down the left side throughout. As the game progressed, Ben Rhydding increased the pressure and eventually found two goals to level the score despite Slazenger’s continued defensive efforts. Max and Dylan were introduced from the bench and immediately brought energy, passion and enthusiasm helping Slazenger stay competitive in a fast-paced match. Despite a determined team performance and late pressure Ben Rhydding managed to score a decisive late goal to secure a 3–2 victory. While the result was disappointing, Slazenger can take plenty of positives from a strong start, excellent teamwork and a committed performance across the pitch.
Slazengers (2) vs. (1) Bradford
Slazengers claimed a deserved 2–1 victory over Bradford in a competitive and energetic contest showing strong teamwork and determination throughout. Slazengers made a positive start and opened the scoring through Dom who finished confidently after excellent link-up play with Matthew. The early goal reflected Slazenger’ control of possession and attacking intent. At the back Harry and Edward were outstanding keeping things tight defensively while distributing the ball calmly and effectively to launch attacks from deep. Alfie caused problems down the flank with several strong runs combining well with Matthew and Dom to keep Bradford under pressure. Despite Slazenger’s dominance Bradford worked their way back into the game and managed to level the score setting up a tense remainder of the match. Theo put in an impressive shift showing a great work rate and tracking back well to disrupt the opposition and support the defence. As the game progressed the introduction of Dylan and Max injected fresh energy and intensity into the side, lifting the tempo and increasing pressure on Bradford. That pressure eventually paid off when Dom struck again to score the winning goal securing the 2–1 victory for Slazenger. A strong all-round team performance built on solid defending, hard work and effective link-up play ensured Slazenger came away with a well-earned win.
Slazengers 0 – 1 York
The match began with strong defensive work from Harry and Dylan setting the tone early as Slazengers looked organised at the back. Matthew carried the ball wide with a confident run down the pitch creating early momentum for the team. A great clearance from Edward prevented York from opening the scoring followed by more solid defending from Harry and Edward who worked well together to move the ball out to Alfie on the wing. Alfie delivered a lovely pass into Matthew who fired off an attempt on goal. Max and Theo applied constant pressure in midfield making several crucial tackles to disrupt York’s attacks. One of the highlights of the match came from beautiful teamwork between Matthew and Alfie who linked up superbly to feed Harry. Harry crossed the ball into Dom whose strike on goal had all the parents on the edge of their seats. At the other end, Dylan showed excellent positioning to calmly sweep the ball away when York threatened in the D. Despite Slazengers’ determined performance and disciplined defending throughout, York managed to score a last-minute goal sealing a narrow 1–0 victory.
Slazengers (1) vs. (4) Chesterfield
Slazengers made a dream start to the match taking the lead inside the opening minute through Dom who finished confidently to put early pressure on Chesterfield. The opening exchanges were intense with Edward showing excellent marking and setting the tone defensively. In goal Dylan produced two outstanding saves using great footwork and quick reactions to deny Chesterfield clear chances. In front of him Alfie battled hard to win possession while Theo impressed with strong marking and well-timed tackles to break up opposition attacks. Max helped Slazengers maintain momentum with confident and accurate passing through midfield. Chesterfield eventually found an equaliser and the game became more physical. A controversial moment followed when Harry was struck on the head by the ball but play continued and Chesterfield went on to score leaving Slazengers frustrated by the decision. Despite this setback, Slazengers continued to compete well. Matthew stood out with several smart interceptions and positive forward runs while Harry showed great determination with a crucial tackle inside the D before carrying the ball up the pitch to create an attacking opportunity. Chesterfield added a third goal later in the game but Slazengers did not drop their intensity. Edward applied excellent pressure and Max came close to scoring after finding space in a great position, set up nicely by Dom. At the other end, Dylan showed bravery and composure fearlessly coming out to challenge and making a vital save to prevent another goal. Despite the result Slazengers showed strong teamwork, resilience and
many encouraging individual performances to build on going forward.
Player of the Tournament well deservedly goes to Dom for his outstanding link-up play and clinical finishing. Special mention to Dylan for stepping in as goalkeeper and putting in a fantastic shift, showing energy and commitment throughout.
U14 Girls vs. Sheffield
After an impressive pre-Christmas run, the girls were promoted into Tier One, and what a way to start 2026 – away to a strong Sheffield side on a soggy, foggy pitch.
We were delighted to welcome Addy back from injury, but it was clear from the first whistle that Sheffield meant business, helped in no small part by a goalkeeper who seemed determined to save everything. With Beth unavailable this week, the defence reshuffled, with Matilda and Georgie forming a formidable twin centre-back partnership, flanked by Lorna and Katie.
Against the run of play, Sheffield struck first – but Slaz responded instantly. Amelia and Lauren drove the team forward through midfield, feeding the forwards where Ruth and Edie applied relentless pressure. When needed Ami was there to make saves and keep the team in the game. The breakthrough came when Edie coolly finished to level the score, making it 1-1 just before half time. Captain Adelaide led a calm and focused team talk, backed up by vice-captain Izzy, who encouraged quick passing and confidence on the ball.
The girls returned with fresh tactics and real intent to claim their first win of 2026. The defence was rock solid, with perfectly timed tackles snuffing out Sheffield attacks. Addy, Izzy and Jess worked tirelessly down the wings, supporting both defence and attack. The breakthrough moment came when Matilda pinged a superb long ball to Ruth, who surged through the middle, drew the goalkeeper and selflessly squared the ball to Edie, who finished first time. Clinical hockey.
Despite constant pressure and a brilliantly organised press on Sheffield free hits, we were repeatedly denied by that outstanding Sheffield keeper. But the pressure kept building. Addy grew in confidence with every run, terrorising the defence and delivering quality crosses – earning herself Opposition Player of the Match.
Edie, desperate for a hat-trick, raced down the byline and fired the ball across goal, forcing a Sheffield defender to deflect it into her own net. A bold formation change left just three defenders at the back but added extra attacking threat, with Jess moving up front. It paid off immediately as Ruth calmly slipped the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 4–1.
Amelia and Lauren completely controlled midfield, winning key balls and distributing the ball with confidence. Then came Darcie the super-sub, who capped relentless pressure by adding her name to the scoresheet. At the back, Matilda was immense, making outstanding tackles and ensuring Sheffield never found a way through. Lorna and Katie pushed high from full-back, making crucial interventions and feeding the midfield. To finish the scoring in style, Ruth tucked away another goal after a strong run and cross from Addy.
Player(s) of the Match – Matilda and Addy. Donut of the Day – Morpeth at home next – let’s keep it rolling!
U16 Boys vs. Doncaster
Slazenger qualified for the last 8 of the national plate competition, with their win over Doncaster. Hoping to continue their unbeaten run this season, the Slazenger boys were ready for this round of the plate competition against Doncaster HC. A strong start from Slaz saw them ahead with only 2 minutes on the clock, a great break from James with an excellent pass though to Ollie T, saw Ollie tip it past the keeper.
This gave the Slaz team the confidence to start passing the ball round and another speedy attack saw Aleks and James combine for the first of James’ goals to make it 2-0. Doncaster started to get a foothold into the game, and some excellent defence from Isaac, Jack and Harry was called on. After further pressure in the Slaz D, Doncaster managed to pull one goal back.
The hard work in the midfield by Seth, Ally, Evan and Will created further opportunities to score but the final touch wasn’t quite there. It wasn’t til another prolonged period of pressure gave Slaz a long corner which after some excellent passes James put the ball in the net for a 3-1 half time lead.
The second half started like the first with Slaz taking another quick goal to make it 3 for James. All credit to Doncaster, they continued to play some outstanding hockey but George in goal stood strong with young Ollie S. making some excellent tackles. Slazenger kept working well as a team with some brilliant individual moments all over the pitch.
The defence came under some pressure with a string of short corners against them. With 2 minutes left to play, Doncaster scored from a variation of a SC. Slazenger had the last opportunity to score but the pass through by Aleks was just too hard for James to get his fourth of the day. An extremely impressive display from everyone on the pitch; the Slaz boys are now through to the last 8 teams of the England Hockey BU16 plate competition.
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