2026 Season – Week 4

Match Report

Slaz mens ones embarked on what is typically a difficult fixture for them, away at Halifax.

Sporting a new formation, Slaz started strong, defending narrow and attacking wide. They built a number of good attacks through Ben Jackson, Jordan Ingham and Amir Khalil. However, despite winning a number of short corners Slaz struggled to profit.

Then, Slaz's pressure finally paid off as Amir Khalil waltzed through the opposition defence and played a pass to Isaac Fisher that he couldn't miss.

After taking the lead in the first half, Halifax built sustained pressure and created a number of half-chances. However keeper Andy Loftus, with the helping hand of a goal-line clearance from Isaac Fisher, was resolute in keeping his first clean sheet of the season.

The game finished 1-0 to Slaz, who will hope to take lots of positives from the game into the rest of the season.

Match Report

Slazenger 2nd's hosted Brigg 2nd's in what has been a traditionally close fought battle between the two sides. However it was the hosts who ran out comfortable 5-0 winners.

With the preceding game cancelled, there was a reasonable amount of time to allow the aging 2nds time to warm up. Some even went as far as to claim it was too warm. However, under the unseasonably warm autumn morning, the 2nds got to work. Owen Wiper once again was strong on the right and caused problems on the wing, while Ste Roberts Ben Graham and James Swinden provided a solid midfield  against any Brigg threats. Ben Graham was the first to draw blood with a well taken strike into the bottom corner and quickly followed it up with the daintiest of deflections to beat the keeper and put Slazenger 2-0 to the good. Brigg battled hard, and their keeper produced a series of strong saves to keep the game locked at 2-0 at the break.

The second half was another display of strong progressive passing hockey from Slazenger, which gave plenty of attacking changes. However Brigg defended well and limited the number of chances to convert the possession.

Jack Sumner converted the third from a penalty corner, which opened up a gap with the visitors. Ian Hedges wrapped up the scoring with a brace. The first a thunderous strike which ricochet off the crossbar, and a second short corner strike which somehow found it's way in at the back post.

Another strong game for the seconds, with a clean sheet for goalkeeper James Walker, which moves them to the top of the table. Next week sees Slaz take on Barnsley in a top of the table battle.

Match Report

The doors to the Slazenger Sweet Shop were open, and Adel 6s walked straight into a sugar rush they wouldn’t forget.

After two consecutive victories, Slazenger 3s were looking to make it three in a row. By the end of the afternoon, they’d produced an eight-goal confectionery feast, with Adel left wondering whether they’d accidentally ordered the wrong box of chocolates.

The match started with both sides taking their first bite of the action.

Slaz struck first early on with John running at the keeper with no defenders in sight before slipping the ball to Aleks who found himself staring at an open net. However, Adel responded just five minutes later to make it 1–1. The game was finely balanced, with neither side willing to give the other too much room in the sweet shop.

Then, just one minute before half-time, Scott produced a perfectly timed treat from the top of the D to put Slaz back in front.

If the first half was a gentle nibble, the second half was someone emptying the entire pick ‘n’ mix onto the floor.

Slaz came flying out of the blocks and scored four goals in just eight minutes.

First came Aleks, adding his second of the afternoon.Then Seth joined the party. Then Owen got his name on the wrapper. And finally, Aleks returned for his hat-trick, completing an outrageous eight-minute sugar rush. All 4 goals were a product of Slazengers smooth passing to work the ball forward before the youth of the team showed their speed and skill to beat the final men.

Suddenly, the scoreboard read: Slazenger 6–1 Adel

Adel managed to grab one back, briefly threatening to spoil the party but Slaz weren’t finished.

With ten minutes remaining, John found the net from a short to restore the five-goal advantage before Scott added his second in the final five minutes after getting on the end of a beautifully played pass from Aleks.

The sweet shop was officially sold out. A box full of goals

It was an attacking performance packed with different flavours for whatever was required to dismantle the Adel defence.

Man of the Match — John

There was only one choice for Man of the Match.

John put in a huge shift from start to finish, working tirelessly at both ends of the pitch.

He helped defend the Slazenger goal, chased down Adel attackers, battled for possession and then eventually made his way into the opposition circle to score.

From defending the Slazenger goal to scoring in the Adel goal, John was everywhere.

A true all-day sweet-shop employee.

Three wins. Fifteen goals. Two conceded.

The victory means Slazenger 3s have now won their last three matches in a row putting them 2nd in the league.

That’s a rather tasty run of form.

The Slazenger Sweet Shop is officially open for business — and judging by the last three results, nobody seems capable of eating into the profits.

Match Report

🏁 SLAZENGERS DOMINATE SHEFFIELD — 6–0 VICTORY

🏒 Final Result: Slazengers 6–0 Sheffield

🟢 LIGHTS OUT!

Slazengers came flying off the line and never looked back, delivering a commanding 6–0 victory over Sheffield.

🏎️ THE RACE

🥇 Jolly — 3 Goals

A hat-trick performance from Jolly, leading the charge with three goals.

🥈 Mark H — 2 Goals

Mark H added two goals as Slazengers continued to pile on the pressure.

🥉 Chris — 1 Goal

Chris completed the scoring with Slazengers' sixth goal.

🏆 DRIVER OF THE DAY — LUCAS

Man of the Match: Lucas ⭐

Lucas delivered an outstanding performance and played a key role in Slazengers' dominant 6–0 victory.

📊 FINAL CLASSIFICATION

Position Player Goals

🥇 Jolly 3

🥈 Mark H 2

🥉 Chris 1

🏁 CHEQUERED FLAG: SLAZENGERS 6–0 SHEFFIELD

A dominant performance from start to finish, with Slazengers taking the win in style and Lucas earning Man of the Match honours.

Match Report

Another glorious sunny Saturday saw the Ladies 1s make the absolute mammoth journey over to Lindum — a trip made even better by the long-awaited return of Hannah Field following maternity leave! 🥳🏑 Slaz came out firing and were aggressive from the first whistle. It took just five minutes for Coops to find the back of the net, following some genuinely lovely hockey. A transfer round the back opened up the right-hand side before Frankie produced some unreal play, driving the ball down the baseline and into the D before picking out Coops, who calmly slotted it home. 1–0 Slaz. Coops’ instructions in the team talk had been simple: start, score, then you can sub off.

Job done in five minutes. ✅

The game became increasingly physical, with both sides battling hard, and Lindum started to build some momentum by catching Slaz on the break. Kez, Millie and Melissa worked tirelessly throughout, battling to win balls back and making sure Lindum never had an easy ride through the middle of the pitch. Amelia also continued to show just how good she is becoming in midfield, looking composed on the ball, linking play and seemingly popping up everywhere she was needed.

It wasn’t long before another chance came our way. Ruth worked the ball brilliantly down the right before firing a cross towards Zoe on the penalty spot, who found the goal… only for it to be ruled out for obstruction.

At the other end, there was some excellent defensive work from Slaz, with strong communication when marking and picking up players. Emma and Nicci worked tirelessly at the back to deny Lindum any clear opportunities.

The remainder of the first half passed relatively drama-free… until Frankie took a ball straight to the thumb. 😬 Her main concern appeared to be less about the thumb itself and more whether she could make it to A&E, get it checked, and still be back in time to watch Wakefield Trinity later.

Half-time arrived with Slaz still 1–0 up, and after a lucky stroke of baby Spencer’s head, we headed back out ready for another strong half. 👶🍀

Lindum created some really good opportunities after the restart, but the Slaz defence continued to stand firm. Becca and Bella were excellent at clearing the lines and putting in some strong tackles, while Nicci developed a slightly terrifying habit of deflecting shots just wide of the goal — presumably to make sure Lauren stayed awake between the posts. Whilst also testing out Bella’s reflexes with an unbelievable goal line pick in the air to keep it 1-0 to Slaz. Huge moment. 👏. A great game for Lauren keeping a clean sheet.

With around ten minutes remaining, the message was simple: play smart hockey, keep possession and see the game out.

And then something truly remarkable happened.

For approximately 30 seconds, the hockey gods shone down upon Zoe.

Not only did she beat one player…

She beat TWO.

Everyone was shocked.

Zoe included.

Nobody knows where it came from. Nobody knows whether it will ever happen again. But those who witnessed it will remember it. ✨

From there, Slaz kept their heads, worked hard for one another and managed the closing stages to secure a hard-fought 1–0 win on the road.

Player votes were shared between Nicci and Ruth after two massive performances — Ruth causing problems going forward and Nicci putting in a huge shift at the back.

Unfortunately for Nicci, her afternoon didn’t end there…

Tart also went to Nicci. The reason? Probably best we don’t put that one on the internet. 👀🚑

Three points, a clean sheet, and Wakey Trinity are the super league grand final champions ❤️🤍💙

Worth the mammoth journey after all. 💚🏑

Match Report

A hard-fought battle at home ended in a 2-0 defeat against a strong Sheffield side, but there were plenty of positives to take away from our turf!

​Sheffield applied heavy pressure in the first half, but our defensive structures held firm under a barrage of penalty corners. A special shoutout to Gemma S for a stellar first half, putting in a fierce defensive shift and tracking runners everywhere. Sheffield eventually broke the deadlock with a well-worked passing move bundled over the line, but our scramble defence kept us in it.

​We came out with a completely different energy in the second half. Higher press, great hustle from the midfield, and relentless work rate turned the tide and created some great attacking opportunities in front of the home crowd. Jess earned player of the half with fantastic overall impact, alongside a hardworking midfield that forced high turnovers.

​Special thoughts go out to Zoe, who took a heavy hit going down across the body right after returning to the pitch, causing a brief pause for medical attention. Thankfully, she's okay! The team rallied brilliantly after the restart, pressing hard right to the final whistle and being very unlucky not to find the back of the net.

​A strong performance all round—Sheffield edged the first half, but we showed fantastic character and fight in the second. On to the next one!

Match Report

Slazengers Ladies 3s made the trip to Ben Rhydding to take on their third team in what proved to be a hard-fought and competitive match.

The game started evenly, with both sides settling into their rhythm. It was Ben Rhydding who found the net first, although Slazengers were unfortunate to see a Ben Rhydding foot go unnoticed in the build-up.

Caro Schofield restarted play and was clearly fired up by the decision. She drove the ball down the pitch to win a long corner, before a fantastic run from defender Beth Buckley saw her receive the ball on the corner flag and deliver it into the D. Schofield was on hand with a first-time strike, finding the backboard to level the score.
Slazengers were playing some good hockey but were coming under increasing pressure from a determined Ben Rhydding side. Katie Knighton made an important save, but the rebound allowed another shot at goal. For the second week running, Nicole Knox was on hand to produce a brilliant goal-line save.

Despite some valiant defensive work from Slazengers, Ben Rhydding managed to find the net three more times before half-time, leaving the score 4-1 at the break.
The second half saw Slazengers side really get ‘stuck in’ and showed plenty of fight across the pitch. Lisa Minchella was impressive as ever, dictating play and helping direct the team.

The partnership between the defenders was clear to see, with Sarah Richtea back where she belongs and the whole defensive unit making crucial tackles, while Knighton continued to make some excellent saves in goal.
Further up the pitch, Courtney Rowley, Evie Mollart and Izzy Armitage all put in a tremendous shift and looked impressive throughout. Rowley drove the ball into the D and created the opportunity for a shot on goal, with Schofield finishing the move to score her second of the match.
It proved to be the only goal of the second half, with Slazengers showing real character to keep Ben Rhydding at bay and finish the game 4-2.
Slazengers may not have come away with the result they wanted, but they are clearly gaining momentum every week and should be proud of the performance they put in today.
Player of the Match went to Beth Buckley for her driving runs and solid tackling throughout the game.

Match Report

No report available.

Match Report

What a game for the Slaz Devs Team today, battling out an exciting, fast-paced 0–0 draw against a strong Doncaster side. There was plenty of energy, determination and some really impressive hockey throughout, with both teams working hard to create chances and defend their goals.

Doncaster had a strong squad, including multiple adult players, but the Slaz Devs more than held their own. The team showed great composure, worked hard for each other and never looked overawed by the opposition. To come away with a clean sheet and a point was a fantastic result, particularly given the circumstances.

There were some brilliant individual performances, none more so than Meera, who was playing her first ever full-pitch game. She was absolutely relentless from the first whistle, throwing herself into tackles with confidence and showing no fear against either adult or junior opposition. A fantastic full-pitch debut and a performance to be really proud of.

The midfield worked tirelessly throughout, with Penny, Matthew, Meera and Ella combining really well. There were some impressive passes and lovely moments of teamwork as they moved the ball around the pitch and looked to build attacks. They worked hard both going forward and tracking back, helping the team maintain its shape against a very competitive Doncaster side.

At the back, Georgie, Katie, Harry S and Harry R put in a strong defensive shift, making sure Doncaster had to work hard for every opportunity. Katie was particularly impressive, putting in a tireless defensive performance and making some excellent tackles and interceptions. She was ably supported at different points by Gemma and Rob, who stepped in as supporting adults when needed.

Further forward, Cerys, Eden, Ella and Grace all showed some great movement and runs, looking to stretch the Doncaster defence and give Slaz options going forward. There was plenty of determination to keep chasing the ball and putting pressure on the opposition, even when Doncaster were able to put us under pressure.

And then there was Nikolai in goal… 🫣😂

Our GK stepped up when he was needed, making some important interventions and helping the team secure a clean sheet — all while ensuring he had plenty of time for his regular lying-down rest breaks! A very important part of his goalkeeping strategy, apparently. 😂

The result is even more impressive given that the team played the majority of the game with just one adult on the pitch. Add to that three players making their Development Team debuts — Meera, Eden and Grace — and there is plenty for everyone to be proud of.

🏆 Player of the Match: Katie

A thoroughly deserved Player of the Match award for Katie following another excellent defensive performance. She was tireless throughout, making some important tackles and interceptions and working incredibly hard to keep Doncaster at bay.

🌟 Special Mention: Meera

A special mention has to go to Meera for an outstanding full-pitch debut. Her confidence, determination and fearless approach against both adult and junior players was brilliant to watch. Definitely one to remember!

🍩 Donut of the Day: Rob & Harry S

A joint award this week! Rob takes his Donut of the Day for reasons that we're not entirely sure! Harry S, however, has a very specific reason for his award: avoiding the team photo. 📸 Everyone else managed to assemble for the obligatory post-match team photo, while Harry apparently decided that being part of the team was only required for the hockey bit. 😂🍩

A huge well done to the whole team. They showed great teamwork, resilience and a real willingness to battle for each other. A 0–0 draw might not tell the full story of how exciting the game was, but it certainly reflects just how hard the team worked to earn their point.

A massive thank you to Simon in his first game as Devs Team manager, who did a brilliant job keeping everything organised and supporting the team throughout. And, of course, ably assisted by the marvellous Sarah! 💚🏑😂

A fantastic team effort, three Development Team debuts, a clean sheet and a very well-earned point. You should all be incredibly proud of yourselves today! 👏💚

Match Report

A fantastic afternoon for the Slaz U16 Girls, who produced an excellent all-round hockey performance to secure a convincing 4–0 win and a well-deserved clean sheet.

From the first whistle, Slaz looked organised and positive, using a triangle through midfield to create passing options and help play the ball out from the back. The girls moved the ball well, looked to use the width of the pitch and worked hard to win possession back when it was lost. The first quarter saw Lauren, Mollie, Amelia and Matilda particularly effectively in midfield, driving forward with the ball, making themselves available for passes and putting the opposition under pressure. Slaz created several opportunities, and the pressure eventually paid off when Amelia converted a short corner to give Slaz a 1–0 lead.

The girls continued to press high and look for openings, with Amelia adding a second goal following another strong attacking move. Jess, Katie and Izzy were excellent at using the width, providing passing options down the channels and linking well with the midfield. At the other end, Matilda, Katie and Georgie worked tirelessly to protect the defensive D, making important tackles and interceptions and helping Slaz transition quickly from defence into attack with Emily, making her debut as GK, clearing any stray balls with ease.

The opposition were putting plenty of pressure on the Slaz defence at times, creating some good battles for possession. The triangle shape was particularly useful when Slaz were under pressure, giving the player on the ball options to either play forward or recycle possession and work their way out. There were a few passes that went slightly too far or were intercepted, but the girls responded well and continued to look for the next pass rather than becoming frustrated. Slaz finished the first quarter 2–0 ahead, having shown excellent teamwork, determination and attacking intent.

The second quarter continued in much the same way, with Slaz battling hard for possession and putting the opposition under sustained pressure. Ruth, Amelia, Georgie and Mollie were relentless in their work rate, while Lauren provided excellent support and communication through midfield. The girls continued to use their triangle effectively, moving the ball through Katie, Izzy, Etta, Amelia, Mollie and Georgie, while Matilda and Cerys worked hard to win the ball back and keep the pressure on.

The opposition continued to press, but Slaz responded with some excellent passing combinations and determined defensive work. Ruth had already come close on several occasions and eventually found the breakthrough she was looking for, finishing well to make it 3–0. Slaz didn't let up, and Cerys soon added a fourth following some excellent build-up play from Matilda and a superb cross from Amelie which found Cerys waiting at the far post to score!

4–0!

Communication remained a big focus throughout, with Lauren encouraging the girls to keep talking, calling for the ball and supporting the player in possession. There were some excellent interceptions, tackles and passing moves from Izzy, Ella, Mollie, Amelia, Amelie and Tilda as the girls continued to work for each other.

The girls went into the half-time break 4–0 ahead, having controlled large parts of the game and created plenty of opportunities. The third quarter was a different challenge as the opposition came out strongly and applied plenty of pressure. The game became more scrappy, with both teams battling hard for possession and Slaz having to work particularly hard without the ball. Katie and Amelia looked to play through the midfield triangle with Lauren, while Katie, Matilda and Georgie worked tirelessly to win possession back and stop the opposition progressing towards the Slaz D.

Jess produced an excellent interception and carried the ball down the line before the opposition managed to regain possession. Matilda and Katie then combined well before finding Mollie, who carried the ball down the channel and linked up with Ella and Jess. The three worked well together, moving the ball forward and looking for a route into the opposition D, although the opposition defence continued to disrupt Slaz's attacks. Matilda was outstanding defensively, repeatedly reading the play and recovering possession. When the opposition were awarded a short corner, she was alert to the restart and intercepted the ball to prevent the danger developing.

Slaz continued to build attacks through Katie, Mollie and Ella, with Lauren working hard in midfield to link defence and attack. Georgie also put in a huge shift down the line, winning possession and helping Slaz regain territory. Another opposition short corner followed, but Amelia was switched on and intercepted the ball before clearing the danger. The intensity continued to rise, resulting in a collision between Amelia and an opposition player. Amelia took the opportunity to send the ball high upfield and relieve the pressure. Ruth came on for Ella and immediately got involved, while Izzy produced another excellent interception and linked with Georgie and Matilda as Slaz looked to play through the opposition press.

Slaz continued to battle for every ball. Amelia and Ruth created another opportunity in and around the D, with Amelia getting the ball across goal, only for the opposition keeper to make the save. Mollie, Jess and Ruth continued to compete for possession, while Matilda and Mollie combined brilliantly inside the D to prevent another opposition attack. Slaz finished the quarter strongly, earning two short corners in quick succession and putting the opposition defence under real pressure. Unfortunately, neither corner resulted in another goal.

The final quarter started with Slaz still looking to attack, with Mollie carrying the ball up the line before the opposition managed to intercept. The girls quickly regrouped, with Cerys, Ruth and Mollie finding space and looking for opportunities to get forward. Amelia, Georgie and Matilda continued to work hard defensively, with Matilda and Lauren putting in some excellent challenges to stop the opposition progressing towards the D.

When the opposition did manage to get a shot away, GK Emily was equal to it, making an important save to protect the clean sheet and earning herself the player of the match award. 👏Slaz continued to compete for possession, with Georgie and Matilda shutting down opposition attacks and Matilda doing particularly well to win the ball and release Jess into space. The pressure was intense, and unfortunately Lauren came off with an injury but the girls adapted well and continued to work hard as a team. Ella, Ruth, Cerys, Amelia, Mollie and Izzy linked up well in attack, carrying the ball forward and creating further chances.

Slaz won a short corner and then another, with Izzy getting a shot away which was saved by the opposition keeper. Ella and Amelia continued to press, with Amelia going incredibly close once again as her effort struck the post. The opposition kept pushing for a consolation goal, but the Slaz defensive unit remained strong. Etta, Katie and Georgie worked tirelessly to win the ball back, while Matilda continued to organise and disrupt the opposition's attacking play. Slaz created several more promising opportunities in the closing stages, including three particularly close attempts, but couldn't quite add to the scoreline.

The final whistle went with Slaz securing a fantastic 4–0 victory and, importantly, a clean sheet. 💚🏑 This was a brilliant team performance and every player contributed to the result, and the girls should be incredibly proud of their performance.

Goals:
⚡ Amelia x2
⚡ Ruth x1
⚡ Cerys x1

Thanks to Gemma and James for umpiring today! A fantastic afternoon of hockey from the Slaz U16 Girls in the sun! ☀️💚🏑

Match Report

A newly formed U14 boys’ team, with several players playing their first ever full-pitch match, travelled to Chesterfield with a squad of just 10 players.

Despite the small squad and the nerves that naturally come with a new team, Slaz started brightly and immediately put Chesterfield under pressure, earning three short corners in quick succession. The defence remained calm when Chesterfield managed to clear the ball and launch attacks, dealing with the pressure well and working hard to regain possession. Another short corner, earned through good attacking play from Alistair, was converted by Noah to settle the nerves and give Slaz a 1–0 lead.

At the back, Harry and Oliver formed a strong partnership at centre back, with Ewan and Caleb working hard at left and right back. They marked well, channelled the opposition into areas where they could be challenged and made some excellent tackles, consistently looking to move the ball forward into midfield. Behind them, Nikolai appeared to be enjoying a fairly relaxed afternoon watching the action unfold, but when called upon he produced some excellent saves, showing off his trademark ninja-like reactions to keep Chesterfield out.

At half-time, Slaz were 1–0 up — a fantastic position considering they had just 10 players. Following captain Trysten, everyone was working incredibly hard for each other. Noah, Alistair, Trysten and Matthew were particularly tireless in midfield, working both ways and making sure they were back supporting the defence as well as pushing forward to support the attack.

Slaz started the second half with the same intensity and soon doubled their lead. A well-worked passing move between Alistair and Noah created the opportunity, with Noah delivering the final ball across to Matthew, who calmly put it past the Chesterfield goalkeeper. Their keeper had made several excellent saves throughout the match, so it was a well-earned second goal for Slaz.

Freddie, playing as the sole centre forward, certainly had his work cut out with plenty of ground to cover. He worked tirelessly to pressurise the Chesterfield defence, making himself a constant nuisance and causing them plenty of problems. Slaz continued to push forward, with Noah going close after getting onto the end of another attacking move and hitting the crossbar. His persistence eventually paid off, though, as he found the back of the net again after some skilful attacking play to make it 3–0.

As the match progressed, Freddie dropped back into centre midfield and immediately made an impact, timing an excellent tackle to win possession and set Slaz away on another attack. The final whistle went with Slazenger securing an excellent 3–0 victory and, more importantly, a fantastic team performance from a group playing together for the first time.

A huge well done to all of the boys who played their first full-pitch match, and to the U12s who stepped up to play an age group higher. With only 10 players available, every single player had to contribute — and they did exactly that.

🏑 Player of the Match: Noah for his exceptional contribution to today’s game including two goals ⭐️

A special shout-out to Nikolai for another clean sheet — his second of the weekend! A very successful weekend for the Slaz goalkeeper. 💚

Match Report

🏑 U14s Start with a Fantastic 9–1 Win! 🏑

What a brilliant first full-pitch game for our U14s! The girls put everything we’ve been working on in training into practice, showing great width, strong passing and fantastic teamwork from the very first whistle.

We started quickly and built a 3–0 lead in the first quarter, continuing to move the ball well and create opportunities. By half-time we had extended the lead, and the girls continued to play with confidence and purpose throughout the second half.

A particular highlight was seeing the team adapt to different positions and formations, while continuing to communicate, support each other and look for those passing combinations.

It was a fantastic team performance, with some brilliant individual moments, but most importantly the girls showed great understanding of the game and worked together right through to the final whistle.

Scorers: Ruth x3, Darcie x2, Amelie x 2, Cerys x 2

A fantastic start to life on a full pitch — well played girls! 🏑👏💚

Tournament Match Report

The first U10 boys tournament of the season took us to Chesterfield for four games against Barnsley, Rotherham, Bankers and Sheffield. We finished with one win, one draw and two narrow 1-0 defeats. It was Henry's first tournament with the U10 boys, and congratulations to Bryce, who was named player of the tournament.

Slazenger (0) vs. (1) Barnsley
It took a few minutes to settle, but once we did there was plenty to like. Theo's reading of the game won us the ball several times, Edward and George defended well, Max tackled well, and Alfie ran with the ball and passed it across the pitch confidently. A nice move from Max to Dylan to Alfie brought our first shot, just wide of the goal. Barnsley scored after a spell of pressure, but we kept going. Bryce was strong in the tackle and Henry cleared the ball well, and the build-up play towards the end was really good.

Slazenger (4) vs. (0) Rotherham
A big win. George got stuck in from the start and combined well with Dylan, and George opened the scoring. Max kept finding space and getting into the D, Henry stayed calm on the ball in defence even with three players on him, and Alfie tackled well to drive us forward. George added a second by intercepting and finishing, Dylan dribbled through for the third, and Alfie won the ball back, took a pass from Dylan and hit it hard for the fourth. Bryce was a reliable outlet out wide.

Slazenger (0) vs. (0) Sheffield Uni Bankers
A tight game with chances at both ends, and James deserves a lot of credit for keeping it level with some crucial saves, including a great one at the last moment. Bryce was excellent at the back, dribbling out well and chasing everything down. Alfie was composed in the middle and brought the ball forward down the wing, Theo got into good positions in the D and tackled well, and George and Dylan kept making chances. Henry was always in a good place to receive.

Slazenger (0) vs. (1) Sheffield
Our defending was a highlight. Bryce defended again and again and was brave on the line, with Edward and Henry strong alongside him. Dylan dribbled well up the wing and passed well, George showed his usual tenacity, Theo tackled well and stayed with his player, and Alfie made some great runs. Sheffield got the only goal of the game.

A fine result for the first tournament of the season, and the future looks bright for this team. Bryce was a worthy player of the tournament, with strong work in every game. Thank you to the coaches for leading the team, and to everyone who came to support.

Tournament Match Report

Slaz Girls shine at first tournament of the season! 🏑

What a fantastic day of hockey for the Slaz girls, who showed tremendous teamwork, determination and sportsmanship throughout their tournament. With some brilliant goals, strong defensive performances and excellent communication across the team, there was plenty to celebrate!

Slazenger (1) vs. (0) City of York (Scorer: Clara)
Slaz got off to a flying start against York, with Clara opening the scoring thanks to a fantastic assist from Hattie. Eliza and Eve demonstrated some excellent passing throughout, helping to keep the pressure firmly on York’s defence. The girls worked brilliantly together, communicating well and creating plenty of action around the goal area as they pushed for further goals. Penny put in a good defensive shift, working hard to keep York at bay, while Emily also showed great determination and effort. A brilliant team performance saw Slaz secure their first win of the day!

Slazenger (0) vs. (0) Sheffield
Slaz really had to dig deep and work together defensively. The team rose to the challenge brilliantly! Charlotte produced superb tackles, while Beatrix made some excellent defensive stops to keep Sheffield from finding the net. At the other end of the pitch, Charlotte, Beatrix and Hattie linked up with some lovely passing, creating promising opportunities and looking dangerous going forward. Despite some encouraging attacking play from both sides, neither team could find the breakthrough, resulting in a well-earned draw.

Slazenger (0) vs (2) Doncaster
Facing a strong Doncaster side, Slazenger knew they would need to be at their very best defensively. Hattie was straight into the action, showing great determination to challenge for the ball and put pressure on the opposition. The whole team worked tirelessly, making some excellent tackles and demonstrating fantastic defensive teamwork. Although Doncaster managed to find the net twice, the Slaz girls never gave up and continued to battle right until the final whistle. A real test of character and resilience!

Slazenger (2) vs. (0) Wakefield (Scorers: Beatrix, Eliza)
The final match brought a fantastic finish to the tournament for Slaz! Beatrix got the girls off to a brilliant start, scoring the opening goal with a lovely assist from Eliza. The excitement around the pitch was clear, with huge cheers celebrating the fantastic goal! It was a lively and competitive match, with the ball travelling well across the pitch and every player working hard to support one another. Ivy showed great determination, helping to create and set up several promising attacking opportunities, although Wakefield’s defence proved difficult to break down. Then, with the match nearing its end, Eliza stepped up to score Slazengers’ second goal, sealing a superb 2–0 victory!

Tournament Highlights
From Clara’s opening goal against York to Eliza’s late strike against Wakefield, the girls showed exactly what makes a great team. There were brilliant tackles, fantastic passing combinations, determined defending and, most importantly, plenty of encouragement and support for one another. A huge well done to all the Slazenger girls! Every player contributed to a fantastic day of hockey, showing great spirit, resilience and sportsmanship from the first whistle to the last. Especially well done to Eliza for receiving player of the match award. Super thanks to Amelia and Hannah for managing the girls, and Jess for umpiring. We are incredibly proud of the team. Keep up the brilliant work, girls! 💚🏑