Slazenger Hockey Club

Hull University

Report: 25-02-2012 – Mens 3rd’s (10) vs. (0) Hull University 3rd’s

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After their close defeat away to Hull University before christmas, the team were looking for a big win to put their promotion efforts back on track. with the squad back to full strength, this was duly delivered with a 10-0 victory over the visitors.

Slazenger had not played a league match for a month, so were a little jittery in the first 5 minutes. However, they quickly settled in and returned to their quick passing style of hockey. It wasnt long before the home team were camped in the opposition half, with defence and keeper under pressure. Under this pressure, it was short order before the first goal went in, with hat-trick hero and man of the match Andrew “Roo” Birkett taking the honours.

With the relief of the first goal, Slaz continued to develop their advantage. Some solid work from the midfielders Andy Fisher and Luke Gueli supplied both wingers and forwards with fast passes.

Continued pressure from Slaz gave away a penalty corner, which was expertly dispatched from the top of the circle by Paul Johnson, putting the team in a strong 2-0 lead.

The team continued to press; flowing passing and fast darting attacks kept the team on the front foot. Three more goals came in the first half; 2 from Steve Johnson, and 1 from Ian Hedges; Slaz 5-0 up.

After the break, the team enjoyed the same advantages as before. With continued pressure, Hull had little in response. Mark Kitchen and Nathan Crowther mopped up and attacks and keeper Ralph Toon having dispatched only a single save.

Slaz scored 5 more; winger Alan Perry picking up 1, Alexander Calderly making a textbook strike into the roof of the net, Ian Hedges picking up a second, and Andy Birkett taking 2 more for his hat trick.

This result keeps Slaz in contention, with a third of the matches left to play.

Scorers: Alan Perry (1), Alexander Calderly (1), Paul Johnson (1), Steve Johnson (2), Ian Hedges (2), Andy Birkett (3)

Report: 05-11-2011 – Mens 2nd’s (5) vs. (6) Hull University 2nd’s

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Slazenger Men’s 2nd Team lost at home to Hull University 6-5 in a thriller of a match. Hull opened the scoring with a goal within two minutes of push back, this made slaz wake up and were soon pilling the pressure on Hull and were soon on level term. Slaz captain Robin Whawell took a quick free hit just outside the Hull ‘D’ and passed the ball through to Matt Middleton who turned one player and passed the ball across the Goal for Simon Randall to slot home.

Slaz continued to press Hull and were soon in the lead. Robin Whawell worked the ball out of defence and passed the ball to Steve Roberts who was in the middle of the field who passed it out to man of the match Ben Graham who ran into the ‘D’ and passed the ball across the keeper to Simon Randall who scored his second of the match. Hull managed to grab an equaliser just before half time.

After the break Hull started the strongest and within five minutes they had scored two to make it 4-2. Slaz reacted well to Hull’s fourth goal and were soon back on level terms with two quick goals. The first was set up by Ben Graham who ran from midfield to the top of the ‘D’ and slipped the ball right to Matt Middleton who flicked the ball into the top right corner. The second was a great solo effort from Ben Graham who picked the ball up on the right wing and took it passed two players and ran into the right side of the ‘D’ and hit the ball passed the keeper.

Slaz’s defence collapsed again and Hull scored another two quick goals to make it 6-4 with ten minutes to go. Slaz again reacted well to Hulls goals and had soon pulled one back with a goal similar to their forth. Matt Middleton passed the ball from the half way line through to Ben Graham who ran down the right wing on an arc to the ‘D’ and scored. With five minutes to go Slaz were pilling on the pressure to find an equaliser, with slaz ending the match with two short corners but didn’t manage to convert either. A disappointing end for slaz to a competitive and exciting match.

Report: 26-03-2011 – Mens 2nd’s (2) vs (6) Hull University 2nd’s

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Slazenger Men’s 2nd Team travelled to Hull University 2nd team looking to get a win against a team who had lost their last 5 matches but were unable to do so and ended up losing 6-2. Although Hull were the better team Slaz did put up a good effort and in the first ten minutes there was little to separate the teams and were both creating chances.

It was Hull who took the lead with 2 well-worked goals but Slaz got back into the match with a goal from Man of the Match John Sykes, Simon Taylor hit the ball into the D and John slotted the ball under the keeper. Hull however scored twice leaving the score 4-1 at half time. The second half started better for Slaz who managed to keep Hull at bay for the first 15 minutes with Matt Green organising the defence and Goalkeeper Richard Smyth pulling off some fantastic saves.

Despite this good spell for Slaz they were unable to stop Hull increasing their lead and were soon another goal down. Slaz were able to score again from a rare attack. Matt Middleton Passed the ball through Hull’s defence to John Sykes who was one on one with the keeper, he took the ball past the keeper but the keeper had slid out and clumsily hit John outside the D.

After John had got back on his feet Slaz were awarded a penalty stroke and John scored from it. Although the goal seemed to lift Slaz, Hull scored their sixth goal. Slazenger Men’s 2nd Team travel to Chapeltown 3rds on Sunday 3th April.

From Rob Whawell Match played at Hull University Hockey Club on 26/03/2011

Report: 05-02-2011 – Mens 3rd’s (3) vs (0) Hull University 3rd’s

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Slazenger 3rd’s enjoyed a good 3-0 result away against Hull University 3rd’s on Saturday with everyone in the side making telling contributions.

After soaking up some early pressure from the university side Slazenger’s quickly
stamped their authority on the game, and other than a couple of breakaway chances, it was a dominance they never lost.

Slazenger’s created numerous chances down both flanks, with Isaac Fisher and Alan Perry combining well on the right and Robin Brearton and Steve Johnson linking well down the left.

But despite all the good possession, several goal scoring opportunities were wasted before Paul Johnson converted from a short corner with a thunderous shot which the keeper could only parry into his own goal.

Slazenger’s continued to exert pressure against the opposition, with several decent goal scoring opportunities created by the midfield but striker Paul Corney couldn’t convert. It stayed 1-0 at half-time.

Second half Slazenger’s soaked up the early pressure that was expected from the opposition before once again taking the game to the university side.

Half-way through the half Steve Johnson managed to convert from a slide rule pass across a crowded penalty area.

Robin Brearton nearly made it three when an excellent shot just shaved the wrong side of the post before Slazengers added another score when Isaac Fisher was on hand to convert a loose ball which the keeper had parried across the goalmouth.

Slazenger 3rd’s next game is at home against Sheffield.

From Andy Fisher
Match played at Hull University Hockey Club on 5th February 2011