Slazenger Hockey Club

Hull

Report: 19-10-2013 – Mens 2nd’s (4) vs. (1) Kingston-Upon-Hull 3rd’s

by

Slazengers mens 2nd team travelled to Hull 3’s on Saturday looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season and did just that, coming away with a well deserved 4-1 victory down mainly to a strong 2nd half performance.

An experienced Hull side had a lot of possession in the first half and although Slazengers pressed hard and made chances, it was the Hull side that took the lead. As the half went on Slazengers started to play some good passing hockey and threatened the Hull goal but the home keeper made some good saves to keep Hull in front at the break.

The 2nd half was all about Slazengers and they got off to a flyking start with Paul Johnson converting a short corner. Slazengers took the lead shortly afterward with Simon Randall with a quality pick up and finish. Slazengers continued to press and as the Hull side tired, increased their lead when Ben Graham picked up a loose ball, rounded the last defender and slotted neatly under the onrushing keeper. There was still time for Matt Banks to get on the score sheet when his mistimed shot wrongfooted the keeper and went in.

Dan Levitt impressed on his first game with the 2nd team with Alex Calderley and Rowan Tejura sharing the man of the match award. Slazengers will face a tough task next week when high flying Doncaster visit the Horbury side.

Report: 05-10-2013 – Ladies 1st’s (2) vs. (5) Kingston-upon-Hull 1st’s

by

Slazenger travelled across to Hull expecting a challenging game against top of the table Hull and a challenging game was what they got. Slaz were missing key central squad players, meaning re-organisation of their structure was necessary and Hull took full advantage of both this and the Slaz unfamiliarity of their home pitch (which Slaz had definitely not missed last year).

Having said this, the first half was very closely fought with both sides having chances which they failed to take. Slazenger’s defence worked really hard to contain Hull, reflected by the fact that player of the match voting was  split between two defenders – Amy Smeaton and Donna Slack. The half time score remained at 0-0 despite a last minute short corner giving Slaz a glimmer of hope that they could still get something out of this game.

Unfortunately after the half time break Hull came out the stronger team, stepping up a gear with their key players working well together in midfield. Despite Slazenger efforts, an early goal was conceded, followed very quickly by another. Slaz were somewhat shocked by this and knew they had to come back fighting and quickly. Their efforts were almost immediately rewarded when a short corner was ably converted by Sarah Hobbs.

Unfortunately Slazenger were not able to hold on to their lead for long as the opposition quickly came back and extended their lead once more. The game was looking more and more out of the reach of Slazenger when a fine Linda Stacey goal came from her persistence on the right flank as she drove into the D and shot hard for Slazenger’s second giving the away team hope once more. However, Hull once again surged and were able to score two further goals leaving Slaz with their first defeat of the new season. Next week is home vs Halifax at 12.00 and with most of the squad available Slazenger are hoping for a better result.

Report: 18-09-2011 – U16 Boys at KC Stadium

by

We had a squad of 12 boys at the KC Stadium yesterday. As the morning progressed they began to gel as a team, and made significant progress against sides which in the main were physically bigger and stronger and more experienced.
Results:
Slazenger (0) v (3) Driffield
Slazenger (0) v (0) Bradford
Slazenger (0) v (1) Doncaster
Slazenger (2) v (0) Sheffield
Slazenger (0) v (1) Wakefield A
The team started slowly against a skillful and well organised Driffield side spending most of the 17 minutes penned back in our own half.
A much better performance followed against Bradford, where we competed far better in midfield and contained our long-standing adversaries, Spike and Ethan, with more comfort. Tim Hunter and Isaac Fisher began to work more instinctively together and Rowan Tejura, James Higgins and Alex Calderley were more solid and better-organised in defence. They in their turn were able to snuff out our attacks, as we failed fully to exploit the width our formation gave us.
A really strong performance followed against Doncaster, who were head and shoulders the best team of the morning. Ralph Toon kept the team in the game with string after string of saves and Slaz troubled the Doncaster defence with quick breaks down left and right releasing Robin Brearton through the middle. Our passing game developed well and the boys were really combative, which promises well.
A good win against a depleted (and young) Sheffield team followed, where we really made our passing game tell with good pressure, leading to two cracking strikes from Robin. However, as we realised we were on top, we lapsed into bad habits of carrying the ball too far and into contact.
The final game was a true local derby with end to end play as the boys tired, and numerous chances created at both ends. With two minutes to go, a sloppy pass let in a Wakefiled forward, who miss-hit his shot from a couple of feet inside the D – I looked on disbelievingly as the side-spin took it beyond Ralph’s reach to clip the inside of the far post and scuttle over the line. The boys responded bravely and Robin had a strong shot well-saved by the goalkeeper. With 30 seconds remaining Danny Croxall was through on the left and laid a precision lateral to Peter Gunning, but the ‘keeper was wise to it and was out and down quickly enough to smother the shot. Time expired – but the ‘keeper had conceded a penalty corner. Rowan injected short to Luke who fired the ball across goal, just beyond Peter’s outstretched stick and the ball ran out of play. A disappointing end to a thrilling tournament.
Thank you to all the boys and to the parents who turned up to support.

Report: 11-04-2010 – GU14 Play off Finals

by

11th April – Halifax HC – 9.30am – 2pm

Fianalists Teams:

Doncaster, City of York, Wakefield, Thirsk, Harrogate, Kingston upon Hull, Ben Rhydding, Slazenger

2 leagues of 4 Teams:
League 1: Doncaster, Wakefield, Harrogate, Ben Rhydding
League 2: City of York, Thirsk, Kingston upon Hull, Slazenger

Slazenger League Results:

Slazenger v Kingston upon Hull – Win 1 – 0
Slazenger v City of York – Draw 0 – 0
Slazenger v Thirsk – Lost 1 – 2
The top 2 teams from each league went through to the semi-finals, of which Slazenger was included.

Semi Finalists: Slazenger v Doncaster / Harrogate v The City of York

Slazenger qualified for the semi finals on goal difference and met a very polished Doncaster 1 XI.

The final score belied the actual performance with every single Slazenger player giving 150% to their game. Hannah Fields was outstanding in her debut performance as Goal Keeper, making a now difficult choice for the young player – ‘Outfield or Goal’ – we believe she is very capable of both…not bad considering she is only 11 years old (sorry Hannah, 12 next month!)

Slazenger lost the game 0 – 4. With Doncaster proceeding to meet Harrogate, the winners of the other semi-final against The City of York, in the final.

The GU14 squad presented gifts to Alan & Karen Bates as a way of saying thankyou for all their efforts this season coaching and managing the side. Their was a distinct choke in Alan’s voice and I am sure if you looked closely…well…Kleenex at the ready!

A very big well done to all our players and coaches and not forgetting the ever present supporters in the guises of parents and family etc.

Hopefully we will be posting photos of the finals onto the website.

Report: 13-02-2012 – Mens 1st’s (2) vs (2) Kingston Upon Hull 2nd’s

by

Slazengers mens first eleven travelled to Hull University mens first team knowing that after a 7-0 defeat at home, they would have to be at their best to get anything from the game. Slazengers began well and played with a confidence that has been lacking so often this season and soon took the lead, Ben Graham converting from a short corner.

Although Hull university had their chances, Slazengers controlled the first half and doubled their lead with Paul Wiper striking home a fierce shot after the Hull keeper had made a couple of good saves. The second half was a different affair however with the younger fitter university side beginning to control the possession and create a number of chances. James Walker in the Slazengers goal made some excellent saves but was eventually beaten twice to bring the scores level. As the game went on, Slazengers pressed hard knowing that a win would help their relegation battle and Dan Perry went through on goal only to be taken out by a Hull defender.

A short corner was given although most of the Slazengers team felt a penalty flick should have been the decision. Slazengers were unable to convert after the home keeper again made a good double save, the game ending 2-2.

Although a point was a good result for Slazengers, with teams around them also picking up points, it is much needed wins that will fend off relegation.

From Ben Graham