Slazenger Hockey Club

Cup

Report: 15-02-2004 – Mens 1st’s (2) vs (1) LA Metros 1st’s

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Slazenger reached the final of the Mens 1st XI Yorkshire Cup after a dramatic victory scoring a golden goal in extra time to set up a mouth watering final against local rivals, Wakefield. LA Metros may be in the division below Slazenger, but they had not lost all season and the Horbury side were without several key players.Nevertheless, the home team started the stronger and opened the scoring from a Paul Wiper penalty corner.

The away side from Leeds tried to hit back but the Slazenger defence of Mike Thornicroft and Ben Wells tackled well an restricted them to a few scoring chances.

Jonny White made an excellent début in the Slazenger midfield showing good composure on the ball and making some telling runs and Richard Hutchins was a willing runner up front.

Slazenger looked to have sealed it, but with less than twenty seconds to go, LA Metros found a dramatic equaliser.

Slaz’ could have buckled, but they showed great spirit to recover from the hammer blow, with Richard Whawell the home side’s hero, calmly scoring the golden goal which took them into the final.

Report: 23-11-2003 – Mens 1st’s (4) vs (1) Chapeltown

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Slazenger Firsts team did it the hard way with a 4-1 penalty win over Chapeltown after the sides had finished level at 2-2 in the Yorkshire First Team Cup.

It took a titanic effort from Slaz who produced a tremendous comeback to seal the game in a shoot-out.

Slazenger made a lacklustre start with numerous passes going astray. Chapeltown took advantage scoring twice in open play as the Slazenger defence stood still.

Thw Horbury side showed more resolve in the second half and upped the pace of their game. They finally turned territorial advantage into a goal when James Swinden produced a thunderous shot from a penalty corner which hit the top of the back board.

With Chris Hayton controlling midfield, Slazenger pressed for an equaliser. Gilston went close on a couple of occasions but the Chapeltown defence held firm.

Finally, with only three minutes to go, James Swinden skilfully flicked the ball into the top corner from a penalty corner.

Neither side could break the deadlock during 15 minute golden goal extra time. Gilson nearly emulated Johnny Wilkinson but his shot was saved in the final seconds.

Chamberlain, Wells, Swinden and Buckley all cooly converted their penalties while ‘keeper James Cowden produced a couple of heroic saves.

Slazenger advance into the semi-final where they will meet Leeds side LA Metros.

Report: 09-11-2013 – Mens 1st’s (4) vs (7) Stockton 1st’s

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Slazenger went out in the first round of the Hockey Association Trophy on penalties, but could hold their heads up high after a fantastic comeback on Sunday. With several key players absent owing to injury, Slazenger struggled to contain Stockton’s lively forward line in the first half and soon found themselves 3-0 down.
By the start of the second half, Slazenger had come to terms with a difficult bumpy pitch and pulled a goal back through Richard Whawell from a penalty corner. However, Stockton hit back almost immediately and at 4-1 down Slazenger appeared condemned to an early cup exit.

But showing great team spirit, Slazenger began to put some passing moves together and the experienced Simon Chamberlain narrowed the deficity from the penalty spot.

Slazenger’s midfield of Paul Wiper and the Swinden brothers then took charge. Stockton struggled to repel Slazenger’s pacy attacks and at one point were reduced to nine men after a series of poor stick tackled were punished by two yellow cards.

Slazenger completed their comeback as Alec Gilston converted two open play chances. Slazenger went close to clinching the tie during 15 minute s golden goal extra time with Gilston missing his hat-trick by inches.

This left the match to be decided by a penalty stroke competition which Stockton easily won 3-0

Report: 07-11-1999 – Mens 1st’s (1) vs (2) Leeds University 1st’s (Cup)

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Slazenger travelled to first division leaders Leeds University firsts on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the Yorkshire Cup and came off second best – but only just 2-1.

Slazenger dominated the game and created several chances but failed to punish the home side.

The visitors succombed to a counter-attack goal before half-time.

Man of the match Marcus Taylor spearheaded Slazenger’s continued dominance after the break while Forman found the equaliser.

But Slazenger still couldn’t convert their pressure into further goals and eventually bowed out of the competition.