Slazenger Hockey Club

Boys U12's

Report: 07-10-2012 – Boys U12’s Tournament

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Slazenger Boys U12’s started their 2012/13 campaign with 4 good performances in their first games together, a number of new faces have started this year and everyone who played could be proud of their achievements.

Slazenger 1 – 2 York
The first game was against a strong city of York side Slazenger’s took the lead through the efforts of Owen Bland, but then a quick break for York saw the sides at 1-1, with about a minute to go York’s pressure paid off as they managed to sneak a goal into the bottom corner.

Slazenger 3 – 0 Bridlington
The next game saw Slazenger’s face Bridlington, the boys started off the game at a fast pace, pressuring the Bridlington defence and testing the keeper on several occasions, then the goals came fast in a short period of time with goals from Joshua Coe, Joshua Swallow and Matthew Chilton. This put the game well out of reach and the game ended at 3-0.

Slazenger 1 – 2 Rotherham
The next game was a similar story to the first, they faced a strong Rotherham side that was unbeaten on the day, Slazenger’s went ahead through a great solo effort from Chris Gascoigne. Then Rotherham put on more pressure and managed to pull one back, again with about a minute to go a breakaway left the Horbury side exposed and Rotherham netted the winner.

Slazenger 2 – 0 Bingley
The final game got Slazengers back on track with a 2-0 win over Bingley, the team was the stronger out of the two and it was Joshua Dunstan who found the net to put them infront, Matthew Chilton added his second of the day, this finished off a great day for the team.

Report: 18-03-2012 – Boys U12′s Tournament

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A great last tournament for the U12 boys in Leeds this last Sunday 18th March. A larger than normal squad took to the last tournament with gusto.

Slazenger (3) vs. (0) Huddersfield Dragons
Playing Huddersfield Dragons first the boys had too much for them in all departments. Kian was first in goals with a small shuffle around as Harry Gunning called in sick at the last moment. Ryan dominated midfield as usual and played the ball through to Matthew Chilton with Matthew worked well up front and slotting away 2 easy goals. Danny Alderson made a surprise substitution on left wing and topped that off with a late goal to put three past the Dragons.

Slazenger (0) vs. (1) Chapeltown
Slaz dominated all phases against Chapeltown but couldn’t capitalise on all the possession we had.  Caught high up the pitch in possession Chapeltown drove towards Kian in net and rounded him even though he was in a good position. Impressive work from Tom Atkinson and Matthew could get a goal back and Chapeltown came out as eventual winners.

Slazenger (0) vs. (0) York 
With Danny back in net and Joe Dickinson helping to shore up defence with Jacob Dennison Slaz looked comfortable against the leagues best team York. A classic hockey match with good competitive play showed both teams at their best. Danny made some fine diving saves snuffing out any chance of a goal for York but Josh Coe couldn’t break the York defence with Matthew either. A satisfying draw against some great opposition.

Slazenger (1) vs. (0) Sheffield 
Knowing we could compete at that level encouraged the boys on and Joe Dickinson up to left wing enabled him to provide a sweet solid pass across goal for Matthew to push past Sheffield. Solid defence work from Chris Gascoinge always turned defence into attack for us and we finished deserved winners.

Slazenger (1) vs. (0) Ben Rhydding 
The final game against Ben Rhydding had the boys fired up and the solid team work from everyone up front saw an early goal against much feared opposion. Swift triangular passes had the Ben Ryhdding defence chasing shadows whilst Josh Coe bagged another goal for this season at near post. Solid defending and discipline during corners and sideline balls kept our lead with no panic or worries. A deserved win from a strong Slaz side.
 
With three wins, a draw and a loss that should move Slaz up to the B league next year. Special thanks to parents who attend in numbers and Danny Croxall for umpiring come hail, rain or shine. (And we have had all three)

Report: 08-01-2012 – Boys U12’s Tournament – The Great Escape

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The great escape..
Having been promoted onto the c pitch Slazenger were confident we could move up again. Life however does not always go to plan…

Slazenger (0) vs. Bridlington (1)
Playing Bridlington first Slazenger were camped in the oppositions half with a handful of chances coming to sub Harry Gunning who couldn’t convert them.

Slazenger (1) vs. Doncaster (2)
Caught on a counter attack and left with only Daniel Alderson the goalie to beat the skilled Brid centre forward rounded the keeper and fired home. Having played well with no reward the boys were keen to get a win from Doncaster. Both teams were equally competitive with Tom Atkinson and Joshua Coe working down the wings. A well worked corner gave Donnie an early goal. Working to up our pace Matthew Chilton was subbed on as left wing and a pace from Matthew to Harry gave Joshua a golden opportunity and he slotted in his second goal for the club. Doncaster gave as good as they got and an inability to clear a free hit from the left wing gave Donnie a second goal just before the whistle.

Slazenger (1) vs. Rotherham (1)
Having played good competitive hockey with no win the boys needed a strategy. An upped tempo was asked for against Rotheram and was given. Both teams equally keen to score but Jacob Dennison dogged defence kept out all comers. Another assist from Gunning put a defender in the firing line and he popped a great ball in to his own goal. To be fairMatthew Chilton was on his shoulder waiting to tip it in. That bug bear of clearing a free hit from the side gave Rotheram a well worked goal and Slazenger a deserved draw.

Slazenger (0) vs. Bingly Bees (0)
Two games left and the boys needed to pick up points. Bingly Bees provided real challenges and entertainment for any onlookers as both teams battled end to end giving their all in a fierce but well mannered game. Great hockey but a blank nil nil result…

Slazenger (3) vs. Leeds (0)
The final game then, and hardly any points picked up and a goal difference of minus two. A win was a must but against Leeds, who have some outstanding players who ran rings around us last time out. Well to use a football term ‘it was like watching Brazil.’ Ryan Denton acting in a sweeper role commanded the middle of the pitch controlling the ball and passing well, Jacob and Tom were solid in defence snuffing out any attacks whilst Harry fed the ball to Matthew on the left or Josh on the right playing confident triangular passes that left Leeds standing marking thin air…Josh scored coolly at his favourite back post position whilst Matthew and Harry split the defence twice for Matthew to fire home twice. All that was left was the finally moment of drama with a breakaway player for Leeds to be one on one with Danny and no help arriving. Danny slid his full body blocking the goal and keeping a clean sheet.

That meant the boys stay on the C pitch to fight another day….

Report: 04-12-2011 – Boys U12’s at Leeds University

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On a very wet Sunday 4th December Slazeneger’s Under 12 boys took to the field at Leeds University. It hadn’t been a great start to the season as only Elliot Kaye had managed to find the net on the previous two outings.

Slazenger (1) vs. (0) Bradford
As the rain and cold started to bite Slazengers’s showed a greater determination and discipline to their game. The first match against Bradford was a good start with Slazengers coming out on top after squashing counter attacks from two talented Bradford players and switching from defense to attack quickly with Harry Gunning using a clear push into the goal that ran through all the defenders and goalie. The boys felt nervous and thought they should have gotten more from the game but were happy with the win. Bradford 0 Slaz 1

Slazenger (1) vs. (1) Driffield
Starting against Driffield Joshua Coe produced some great positional play and ran the full length of the pitch looking for the ball from Jacob Dennison behind him and Harry in the centre. His patience paid off with his first goal for the club slotting home a rebound from a shot off the goalie. An fine individual effort from a Driffield player caught us on the counter and the game finished honours even at Slaz 1 Driffield1.

Slazenger (0) vs. (2) Leeds
The top team of the league Leeds had been sweeping everyone before them so the boys knew they were up against a challenge. Tom Atkinson did a great job in Eliots position on the left wing working the field well. We tried to man mark the mecurial number 8 but his fine individual talent undid us twice. We had plenty of chances but couldn’t pull a goal back. Leeds took the honours Slaz 0 Leeds 2.

Slazenger (3) vs. (1) Airedale
Sheltering against the frozen rain for half an hour seemed to galvanise the boys as they needed now to pick up some points from the league to stay or move up. Next up were Airedale who had beaten the boys recently in the Yorkshire Minis. A warmed up Elliot Kaye was in action straight away scoring two quick goals after great clearences from Ryan Denton and Chris Gasgoine in defense. Jacob was solid in defense but fast footwork from Airedale left him chasing back and although generally untroubled in goal Daniel Alderson couldn’t save a well taken Airedale goal. With minutes remaining Elliot and Harry played some neat triangular passes around the D with Matthew Chilton and Harry finished with a flicked goal leaving the Airedale goalie dazed as to where it had come from. Slaz 3 Airedale 1.

Slazenger (2) vs. (1) Thirsk
The final game against Thirsk and the boys were keen to finish with a win. The Thirsk team were strong and quick but so were Slazengers. With Elliot knowing he only had half the game he quickly made his mark with a hard driven goal before Tom took his berth on left wing. Matthew Chilton took Joshua’s postion on right wing after a quick Thirsk goal a final one two move between him and Harry saw him score his first goal for the club before the whistle blew. Slaz 2 Thirsk 1.

Report: 06-11-2011 – Boys U12’s Tournament

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The U12 boys made some good progress at their most recent tournament, gelling as a team, with some stand-out performances. We took a full eleven players includng two ‘keepers, with a couple more outfielders unavailable this weekend, which bodes well. Three of the boys were at their first ever tournament.

Slazenger (0) v (0) Chapeltown B
Slazenger (1) v (2) Pocklington
Slazenger (1) v (2) Sheffield Hallam
Slazenger (1) v (0) Thirsk B
Slazenger (0) v (0) Huddersfield

All the games were close, hard fought affairs. Against Chapeltown, we absorbed early pressure, Daniel making a couple of good saves, but gradually came alive and began to exploit our width and pace down the flanks. Chapeltown were relieved to hear the final whistle, as we were just unable to convert a number of good attacks into the telling strike on goal.

Against Pocklington, we lost discipline and paid for it as Pocklington scored two, neat breakaway goals. Kian performed well in goal, kicking clear on three occasions to clear the lines. Only in the final three minutes did we switch back on, and a neat interplay between Ryan and Chris led to a through-ball to Elliot who one on one, coolly beat the keeper. Slaz had a number of probing attacks, but just couldn’t find the equaliser.

Sheffield were the stand-out team of the day and again we were slow to switch on. Again we lost two goals early and but for some brisk interventions by Daniel it could have been more. Once again, the boys pulled themselves together and in an almost carbon-copy, Elliot scored his second of the day. Slaz proved they were a match for Sheffield in commitment if not yet in skill in the dying minutes and were again unlucky not to equalise.

Against Thirsk, a sluggish start led to Daniel having to dive and smother twice to keep us in the game. Ryan then took charge and began distributing the ball with greater vision to left and right. Linking well with Jacob and Joshua on the left, Chris and Elliot on the right (each of whom showed real commitment and greatly improved positional discipline), chances were created for Tom, Joshua, Matthew and of course Elliot who scored the only goal of the game.

Huddersfield packed the midfield, and although we created the better chances and Kian was untroubled in our goal, we couldn’t find the finish some neat play deserved.

Players of the tournament – Elliot and Daniel, although they all improved markedly. MIP was Joshua, showing real skill on the right wing.