Boys

Slazengers’ under-12 boys A team missed out on qualifying from the In2Hockey West Yorkshire tournament despite scoring eight goals in their last two games.

A slow start to the five-team round-robin competition ultimately proved their downfall as the Slaz youngsters lost to both Ben Rhydding sides who were taking part.

Slazengers dominated their opening match against Ben Rhydding B but found their opponents’ keeper in top form with a string of fine saves, before a breakaway goal led to a 1-0 final scoreline.

There were more early chances against Ben Rhydding A but again it was the opposition who opened the scoring.

Aaron Hunter did equalise, showing good composure when one on one with the keeper, but there was a sting in the tail as Ben Rhydding hit a late winner.

Those two defeats meant Slazengers would be unable to progress to the Yorkshire stage of the competition but they picked themselves up to finish on a high.

They beat Wakefield 3-0 as Hunter doubled his tally of goals before Lucas Smith and Tommy Randle also found the net.

Then Slazengers concluded by defeating their B team stablemates 5-0 with two goals by Alex Stacey, backed up by others from Smith, Will Gascoigne and Hunter’s third of the day.

U14’s tournament at Darton, vs Driffield, Chapeltown and Bradford.

You know it’s going to be hard day when the body mass of the opposition back four equals that of your whole team! Slazenger U14s approached what was the first 11 a side tournament for many of the players, looking a little small by comparison to the competition, but they made up for their physique with skill, passion, energy and teamwork.

Up first was a very strong Driffield side who were very quickly 2 ahead, but Slaz organised, shut them out and eventually took the game to the opposition, conceding no more.

Second was Chapeltown, the boys fed off their first performance and bossed the game, but good keeping continually prevented a Slaz goal, final score 0-0.

Finally a game vs our (friendly) rivals Bradford, a game too far for young Slaz players when playing at such high energy – soon two down and under lots of pressure. Slaz did lift themselves thanks to skipper Josh Dunstan and created some chances, but an ex Slaz keeper denied them to the end. So a losing tournament (just one point) but lots to build on. Only three players played in what they said was their natural position but we learned a lot about where they really should play. Only 11 players travelled, but we wouldn’t have subb’d of anyone anyway, everyone played their part to the max.

Player of the day was Jack Lee.

Slazenger U10 boys opened their latest campaign with a hard fought 1-1 draw against Doncaster. A fine goal from Tyler O’Connor backed up with solid defensive work from Josh Proctor ensured honours even.

Slaz followed up with two 2-1 victories over Brigg and Airedale with O’Connor (2) and Tommy Randle (2) finding the net, with
Luke Minchella working tirelessly all afternoon up and down the right flank providing a number of dangerous crosses. Dom Sanderson in goal made sure of maximum points with some outstanding work.

At the back, Lewis Killey, Alex Hobson and Josh Proctor provided a solid base to build on all morning, however the boys came up against table toppers Harrogate and were unfortunate to go down 2-0.

The final game against Ben Rhydding saw Slazengers regain their form and spent the entire game camped in the opponents half however – mainly due to some outstanding saves made by the Ryhdding keeper, they could not break the deadlock.

Slazengers finished a credible third in the league and look forward to their next outing in the top division.

The U12 boys took part in their first tournament of the season on Sunday with a new look team playing together for the first time. I’m the first match, they came up against a strong Doncaster side and failed to convert their chances, but Aidan Coughtrey played well in goal to keep a clean sheet.

After a good team talk, the boys went on to play Wakefield and showed that they could play some good hockey. Alex Stacey opened the scoring and continued to score a hat trick, as did Will Gascoigne. Tommy Randle and Aaron Hunter also scored to earn the team 8-0 victory.

The final match against Brigg was crucial if Slazengers were to secure promotion. The boys went out determined to play well and Gascoigne, Hunter and Stacey all found the back of the net to secure a 3-0 win and promotion in 2nd place on goal difference. Thanks to Matthew Stacey for umpiring and providing inspirational pre-match talks.

Slaz 2 Hull 0
The return of the Hockey season gave the boys a nice Sunday morning out in Harrogate. Hull was the first game and both teams played with a good intensity. Slazenger however had the majority of play and the ball and pegged Hull back to their half of the pitch. Solid defending from Scott Carruthers , Alex Jolly and James Armitage meant little came through our back 3. Matthew Chilton warmed to his role of midfield sweeper and took the ball to the opposition half drilling the ball forward with ferocity. Small triangles of play between Matthew, his sister Hannah( a stand in U16 boy) and Harry Gunning lead to the first Slaz goal. A drifting run from Gunning opened the defence and their keeper could keep out his rifle shot finish. Mercurial runs from Chris Gascoigne and Josh Dunstan meant that the Hull goal was under constant threat, yet it was a run up the wing by Dunstan that gave Slaz the second goal. Blaine Bennett , Josh Swallow and Gasgoinge were all waiting for a ball flashed across the box by Dunstan; yet it was ultimately Gascoinge who got his stick to it to press home the advantage.

Slaz 0 Harrogate 4
Harrogate was a horse of a different colour as their well drill squad brought forwards in numbers, the tricky runs and willingness to get behind the back four from Slaz had them all on the back foot. Danny Alderson, the Slaz keeper now had his work cut out and had to batter away shot after shot. Scott Carruthers cleared his lines well but the constant pressure from lightning quick passes meant the Slazenger boys were left standing whilst the Harrogate forwards quickly got around the back four and slotted home an easy goal. This pattern repeated itself before Hannah and Matthew Chilton took control of the midfield. A few flashes from Dunstan were not enough to make a telling reply and Harrogate caught Slaz on the break twice more to take the game.

Player of the day: Scott Carruthers