Slazenger Hockey Club

L.A.Carnegie

Report: 23-10-2011 – Boys U14’s Tournament at Ben Rhydding

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For the first fixtures of the season, Slaz travelled to Ben Rhydding to take on two home teams and Leeds/Adel.

Slazenger (0) vs. (1) Ben Rhydding A
Slazengers started very brightly, quickly taking command of the mid field area and keeping possession well. Both wingers (Matthew Smith & Alex King) mounted attacks and both Hannah Field & Tom Pitchforth saw their shots go just wide or saved by the keeper. The game remained evenly balanced throughout with Rhydding’s attacks being calmly dealt with by James Higgins and Jess Buttery at full back and keeper Ralph Toon.

With just over a minute left to play, Slaz lost possession just outside the 23 line. The attack that followed resulted in a shot which Ralph kicked clear. Unfortunately, the ball shot vertically upwards off a Ben Rhydding stick and the Ben Rhydding’s strikers were first to work out where it had gone, bungling the ball over the line. Despite the score, Slazengers had plenty to be proud of as they had made Ben Rhydding A look beatable for the first time in many years.

Slazenger (2) vs. (0) Ben Rhydding B
Again Slazengers started strongly playing almost all of the first 15 minutes inside the Ben Rhydding half. The pressure was rewarded after 5 minutes when Isaac Fisher’s shot from a short corner was turned in by Matthew Stacey, playing his first tournament for Slazengers. The occasional Ben Rhydding break was dealt with by the full backs and half backs, Matthew Feather, Mayank Gupta & Ben Stevenson who were also supporting wide attacks well. Fisher had been dominant in midfield throughout both games and his efforts were rewarded after 15 minutes when he weaved through a crowded area to slot home a goal.

The score could have been much higher with the forwards failing to latch onto a couple of crosses from Aidan Hopkinson on the right and Alex King just missing a tip in from a Matthew Stacey shot. In the last few minutes, Ben Rhydding did begin to mount some attacks and were awarded a couple of short corners which were defended well.

Slazenger (2) vs. (0) Leeds/Adel
Riding high from our defeat of Ben Rhydding B, Slazenger’s allowed Leeds to have too much possession and consequently found ourselves defending our own goal several times in the first few minutes. Slazengers were still dangerous on the break with Matthew Smith shooting high.

After 8 minutes, Aidan converted a short corner in to the bottom right corner of the goal. It was good to see Nick Caulderley coming in for the tip in should it have been necessary. The middle portion of the game became a little scrappy with both teams conceding possession too easily.

However, Slazenger found their shape again resulting in several scoring opportunities. Smith saw his tip-in go just wide. With only a couple of minutes remaining, Pitchforth kept a cool head to finish a move down the right wing involving Feather, Hopkinson and Field to put the game beyond Leeds.

Matthew Feather received the “Player of the Day” award, for a very assured performance at half back and Most Improved Player goes to Mayank Gupta who showed great effort and some excellent skills for a player so new to the game. Overall, Slazengers should be proud of their performances, they were a credit to the club on and off the field.

Slazenger U14’s will next play on Sunday 4th December at Harrogate HC

Squad: Aidan Hopkinson, Alex King, Isaac Fisher (Capt), James Higgins, Matthew Feather, Ralph Toon (GK), Tom Pitchforth, Matthew Stacey, Jack Garside, Mayank Gupta, Nick Caulderley, Ben Stevenson, Hannah Field & Jessica Buttery.

Matches Played on Sunday 23rd October 2011 at Ben Rhydding Hockey Club

Report: 02-04-2011 – Mens 3rd’s (5) vs. (0) L.A.Carnegie

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Slazenger Mens 3rds got back to form just in time for the penultimate weekend of the season, with an impressive 5- 0 victory over Leeds Adel Carnegie.

With three games to games to go, Slaz were looking to finish on a high. The game began at a quick tempo, with Slaz making a lot of movement, putting immediate pressure on L.A. Carnegie. The midfield worked well, with Lee Secker, Andy Fisher and Steve Johnson linking up well to push clear into the oppositions half. However a strong defensive line, and keeper kept Slazenger out of the game for a fair portion of the first half. Several attacking moves from Captain Paul Corney, and winger Tom Whitaker failed to make it past a keeper in good form.

The deadlock was broken when the Slaz forwards broke through, and forced a penalty corner. The ball was pushed out to Paul Johnson, who drilled the ball straight past the keeper, with no chance of stopping it.

With the first goal in, Slaz pressed the advantage, and securing a further two. Ste Roberts took the second, and Lee Secker swiftly defeated the keeper to take the third.

After the break, the game was a closer match, with L.A. attempting to level the score on several occasions. However, it was Slazenger who scored again through midfielder Andy Fisher with a great shot from just inside the D to take it to 4-0.

With 20 minutes remaining, Slaz scored their fifth and final goal to finish off the match. A quick passing move through the midfield dropped the ball to Isaac Fisher, who neatly dispatched it past the keeper.

Next Week, Slazenger travel away to Scunthorpe.

Report: 27-03-2011 – Mens 1st’s (1) vs (2) L.A.Carnegie 3rd’s

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Sunday saw Slazengers mens first team play their second game of the weekend against Leeds Adel Carnegie 3’s.

Slazengers dominated much of the possession in the first half only to see Adel take a lead off a quick break. Slazengers equalised through Richard Tuddenham and continued to press but Adel held out till half time.

Depsite the loss of influencial captain Will Buckley through injury, the second half saw Slazengers create chance after chance only to find the Adel keeper in excellent form. As much as they pressed, Slazengers couldn’t find a way through and as so often happens in games of this nature, Adel took the lead with just about their only meaningful attack of the half.

This was enough for Adel to hold on to a 2-1 win. Phil Midgley took the man of the match award for Slazengers for some excellent arial distribution.

Report: 19-03-2011 – Mens 3rd’s (1) vs (2) L.A. Carnegie

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Slazenger Mens 3rd’s traveled away to Leeds Adel Carnegie at the weekend, and were unfortunate to come away with a 2-1 loss. This result is a blow to the teams promotion hopes.

Slaz were looking for the full 3 points, and their start demonstrated the ambition. Some great passing and early pressure by Slazenger resulted in a great many chances. The midfield co-ordinated effectively, with Robin Brearton, Robin Whawell and Steve Johnson linking up well. Unfortunately, as has been common in the latter part of the season, Slaz struggled to capitalise and secure an opening goal. Captain Paul Corney, and Isaac Fisher both went close, but to no avail.

The initial pressure softened, and the remainder of the first half was end to end hockey, with pressure on at either end. Goalkeeper and Man of the match Giles ‘Fodder’ Field did an exemplary job, with some spectacular saves through the half, however in the end it was Leeds who scored first.

The second half was again just as close, though for the first ten minutes, Slaz struggled to get out of their own half. Again some great defending from Nick Slack and Nathan Crowther maintained the single goal deficit. Slaz broke the pressure, and for the last 25 minutes, it was all them who controlled the match. After pressuring the oposition defence, a penalty corner was awarded, and Paul Johnson fired the ball home, to which the defence and keeper had no hope of stopping, drawing Slaz level.

Slaz maintained the pressure, but in the latter part of the half, a break against the run of play allowed L.A. to secure the winner.

Slazenger host Leeds at home next week (26th March) at 3pm

Report: 12-03-2011 – Mens 1st’s (3) vs. (2) LA Carnegie 3rd’s

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Slazengers mens first team continued their good form with a well deserved 3-2 victory away at Leeds Adel Carnegie.Slazengers started well and could have been on the score sheet in the first five minutes with both Richard Tuddenham and Ben Graham going close. Adel eventually found their feet and started to press only for Slazengers to take the lead following an excellent breakaway. An Adel short corner was broken down by the defence and the ball was quickly fed to Dan Perry who drove round the back of the defence and squared for Paul Wiper to net a simple finish.

Adel weren’t to be denied though and equalised before the break. Slazengers started the second half a little sluggish and Adel took advantage by taking the lead. This spurred Slazengers into action and it was again Dan Perry who led the Slazengers attack, driving round the back and beating the keeper only to be denied by an Adel foot on the line.

Simon Chamberlain stepped forward to convert the following penalty flick. Slazengers continued to press and took the lead when an excellent move involving Perry and Tuddenham left Ben Graham with an easy finish. Adel tried to get back into the game but Slazengers kept possession well and limited Adel to a couple of half chances.

Dan Perry took the man of the match award for Slazengers who travel to top of the league Bradford next Saturday.

By Ben Graham, from match played at LA Carnegie Hockey Club on Saturday 12th March 2011