Bradford Uni

Slazengers men’s 2nd team were looking to extend their unbeaten run to 5 against Bradford Uni 1st team but came unstuck during a hectic final 20 minutes eventually going down 4-3. Things should have been different however as Slazengers led 2-0 at the break through short corner goals from Ben Graham and Simon Chamberlain.

Slazengers knew they would come under pressure as the game went on as the students had a full squad of 16 so continually had fresh legs available so it was vital that they got the third goal. This they did when Jack Mumford got on the score sheet, again from a short corner. Nobody could have predicted the final 20 minutes however. Slazengers found themselves down to a bare 11 after Matt Green went off injured and following 2 quick goals for Bradford, panic stations began to set in. After Ste Roberts also had to go off injured, Green came back on but was barely mobile effectively leaving Slazengers with only 10. Bradford Uni sensed they could get something from the game and grabbed an equaliser followed quickly by their fourth of the game. A late yellow for Mumford didn’t help but in reality the job had been done by that point with the final whistle going shortly afterwards.

Slazengers will look to bounce back on Saturday against Leeds Uni 2nd team.

The following day, Slazenger seconds were at home in a re-arranged fixture against Bradford University firsts in a real must win relegation battle.

The hosts started very well, creating early chances and bossing the midfield only for Bradford to nick a goal against the run of play.

Slazenger continued to press, however and created a number of openings only for the final ball to go astray.

As the game entered the second half, Slazengers were beginning to think the opening may not come, but Ed Richardson stepped forward to convert a short corner.

Paul Wiper then failed to convert from a tight angle and then played the ball across the goal but there was no-one following in.

Slazenger are now in the bottom two and will need to win at least one from their remaining two games to avoid relegation.

Slazenger were left disheartened after Bradford scored with the last touch of a game that the Horbury side should have won easily after missing numerous chances.

After early pressure Bradford took the lead following a good short corner strike.

This spurred Slazenger into action and they started to contro lthe game with Tim Carr thwarted by the Bradford goalkeeper before James Walker brought the scores level.

After the break, Slazenger remained in control, creating some great opportunities but it was Bradford who took the lead through a heavily contested penalty flick decision.

Once again, Slazenger raised their game and it was Walker who brought them level again.

The Horbury men had the chance to kill off the game, Richardson and Hutchins before Bradford nicked it at the death.

Matt Birkett showed some good footwork throughout and Ben Wells made some great challenges in defence.

Slazenger will look to bounce back this week against Lincoln 2nds