Slazenger Hockey Club

Ladies 3rd XI

Report: 13-11-2011 – Ladies 3rds (3) vs. (5) York University 2nd’s

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The game was a very fast paced game with Slazenger’s making some great opportunities to score. York had the first push back and Slazenger’s were straight on the ball sure that York would be able to get round the team as easy as they thought. York University managed to break through a gap and scored the first goal of the game. However, this didn’t down hearten the Horbury side and they kept their heads up positive that they could bring back the goal difference.

The response from Slazenger was sqift, with a wide ball to Jess Holland stretching play and giving her the space to carry the ball through the defence and into the D to a waiting Claire Mills who hit the ball to the back of the net.

Within minutes it was York’s turn to retaliate. A strong attacking move from Hananh Field to Nayesha Tejura, set up Julie Bacon for the shot on goal, only to be denied by stick tackling and shoulder barging. Slaz had the initiative and with a short corner given, looked to convert. However,even with discipline problems from the York defence, the opportunity could not be capitalised on. York broke out from the Horbury side’s pressure, scoring another goal.

Slaz found their equaliser through a slick passing move, Mills, setting up Sophie Williams, for a strike on goal. A quick response from the York keeper, stopped the first strike, but Zoe Bacon slipped the ball through the keepers legs, allowing Gemma Whittam to sweep the ball into the net. Goalkeeper Chloe Bates made some fantastic saves but unfortunately York University managedto gain another goal. As the half time whistle went the score was 2 to Slazenger’s and 3 to York Uni.

The second half started well with Hannah Field and Mandy Field making a family duo passing the ball between them but York managed to get the ball and ran towards the goal. It went in. 2 – 4 to York University. Another short was given to the Horbury side. Sophie Williams pushed it out to Jess Holland who smacked it at goal and Sophie Williams managed to get the rebound and sneak it over the line. 3 – 4 to York.

The ball was sent up by York and the Slazenger’s side defence consisting of Nicole, Julie Finch and Many Field all took on the University side. However, as full time got nearer, York Uni had a player dismissed for continually shoulder barging. York was down to ten men. Unfortunately the game ended 5-3 and the University side had won. Player of the match was joint between Hannah Field and Jess Holland.

Report: 05-11-2011 – Ladies 3rds (5) vs. (4) Pickering 1sts

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In a fast paced, end to end thriller, it was the hosts Slazenger who came away with the win.

The whistle blew and Slazenger’s were on the offensive from the off. The ball was distributed out wide by Katie Brown to a waiting Jess Holland passing it to Gemma Whittam who took it into the D and had a shot on goal. A defensive mistake from the visitors gave Slaz the short corner. After a strong push out from Holland, the ball fell to Lisa Minchella who’s strike was unfortunate to miss.

However, the strong start gave Slaz the spirit they needed, leading to the first goal. A Pickering attack was halted through the work of Captain Julie Finch and Mandy Field at the back, feeding the ball through to winger Alex Gilbert. A cutting run set up Chelsea Armitage for the cross, allowing Holland sweep it into the back of the net.

Pickering stuck back almost immediately, but a great save from keeper Chloe Bates kept them at bay. However on their second attempt, Pickering were successful and secured the equaliser.

Slaz took the lead again through another well worked short corner. This time, Lisa Minchella burried the ball in the back of the net, to make up for the earlier mss; 2:1. However, this was cancelled out by an equaliser by Pickering minutes before half time.

The home side started the second half as they had the first, with some hard work by Hannah Field and Chelsea Armitage forcing a defensive mistake and winning another short corner. A slick routine layed the ball off to Armitage who fired the ball home, putting Slaz ahead again.

Their fourth was created from a single handed effort by Julie Bacon, setting up Gemma Whittam to pop it into the bottom right corner: 4-2.

Slaz thought they had put the game beyond doubt after Whittam securing the 5th. Field and Gilbert put in some superb tacking to win the ball and set up the waiting striker. Slazenger’s created more chances which came to no avail with Julie Bacon, Chelsea Armitage, Hannah Field and Becky Gummerson all narrowly missing the goal.

However, the game was far from over, with Pickering scoring two more within minutes. The clock was with Slaz, as the game ended, giving the home team the win. Player of the match was Alex Gilbert for playing superb on her debut for the Horbury side.

Report: 22-10-2011 – Ladies 3rds (2) vs. (2) Doncaster 4th’s

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Slazenger’s ladies earned a 2-2 draw away against Doncaster 4th’s. Hannah field took the first push back of the game and Slazenger’s were in with a good chance of scoring the opening goal. The ball was pushed out to a waiting Jess Holland who darted through their line of defence and an attempt on goal came to no prevail when it went short of the post.Doncaster had some great attacks which made Slazenger’s defence Gemma Whittam and Julie Finch have some work to do. Stand in goal keeper Karen Bates made some great saves butDoncaster managed to sneak the ball into the bottom right corner. 1 – 0 toDoncaster. After the opening goal Slazenger’s realised they had to fight hard to gain an equaliser. After a great run up the middle by Hannah Field the ball was passed out to Anguelina Ouchakova then onto a waiting Julie Bacon who smashed the ball into the back of the goal. Slazenger’s had gained the equaliser.

Jess Buttery made her debut for the Horbury team on the left wing and made some fantastic runs. Slaz scored the second through a well worked move from the midfield. The ball was passed to Katie Brown in the middle where it was passed to Zoe Bacon on the wing who then hit it to Jess Holland who got it into the back of the net.

Slazenger’s were winning by half time.

Sue Hope played a vital part of the game by distributing it to the Horbury team and by joining Mandy Field cleared the ball from Slazenger’s defence. Time was ticking away and Slazenger’s had just been given a short corner. The ball was pushed out by Jess Holland to Katie Brown who aimed at the goal but unfortunately this didn’t end in a goal. Doncaster managed to pull back the goal difference. Slazenger’s had a last attempt as they whizzed up the field and got past the 25 yard when the whistle went to signal the end of the match.  Player of the match was awarded to Katie Brown and Jess Holland.

Report: 24-09-2011 – Ladies 3rd’s (1) vs (1) Otliensians

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The first game of the 2011 season for the ladies thirds showed great promise of things to come. The game started well , we even had eleven players & a sub !!! .

Otliensians had first pushback but Katie Brown wasted no time in intercepting the ball & made a great run up the pitch to start the first of many attacks on the Otliensans goal. Back up was given by Nayeesha Tejura, they made a formidable duo in midfield. Great supporting play by attackers JB & Hannah Field offered our first attempt on goal , the shot was just wide . We were quick to respond to their 16 hit out, we closed down their options & put pressure onto the opposition to try & force an error . We were rewarded when Donna Wood picked up a loose pass, Donna played the ball out well to Lauren Fealey . This started yet another attack on the opposition goal which was again pushed wide of the goal . The remainder of the first half for Slazenger’s was repeated again & again, great build up play , great movement on & off the ball , passing play went really well & the final shot on goal was either wide or saved by the keeper, the Otliensians keeper was easily their player of the match & it was hard to believe that after so many shots on goal in the first 30 mins we hadn’t managed to get on the score sheet !

Against the run of play, Otliensians broke & after what was their first threatening attempt on goal in open play , a goal was awarded .

The second half started well for Slazenger’s, the majority of the game being played in the Otliensians half, Beccy made some great runs down the left wing playing some great balls across the D . Great support play from Sally ensured that Slazenger’s attacks were relentless. The deadlock was eventually broken when player of the match Katie Brown made another great run from midfield, picking out Hannah Field in the D, a great ball across the front of goal proved perfect for a waiting Zoe Bacon , a great sweep into the goal for the equaliser. This did prove that in actual fact, the white things do not move !

The defensive team of GK , Chloe Bates,& defenders Kazza B & Finchy had a solid game keeping any attacks made by the Otliensians to a minimum & moving the play back into the attacking half.

This first game showed great promise for the rest of the season , it had everything except for the finishing goal , no prizes this week for guessing what we might be working on in training !!!

Report: 09-04-2011 – Ladies 3rd’s (7) vs (0) Leeds 4th’s

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Slazengers ladies thirds were determined to end the season on a high & carry on the winning format from the previous games. They started positively from the off & really took the game to Leeds who were then forced into playing a defensive line-up. Slazengers were pressing for the first goal & did not have to wait long for Rebecca Jessop to strike a great ball from just inside the D to get her name first on the score sheet. The Leeds goalkeeper was kept busy & was forced to make numerous saves, it wasn’t too long before she was defeated & Becky Stafford struck home for Slazengers second.

Slazengers third goal came from a well rehearsed manoeuvre by Gemma Whittam, great positioning by Gemma on the back post with a sweep into the back of the net saw Slazengers tally rise to three. Slazengers pressed on & after intercepting yet another ball, player of the match Katie Browne made an outstanding solo run into the D launching an unstoppable ball into the far corner of the net, a superb strike and the goal tally was now at four.

Half time team talk from Julie Finch & the general consensus of the team was that we could definitely play better. With great team spirit & determination Slazengers really moved their game up a level, the movement on & off the ball was fantastic.
Slazengers pressed on & after numerous attempts on goal from short corners, the fourth goal eventually did come from a short corner award. An accurate ball injected into a waiting Becky Stafford saw the ball laid off to a waiting Elle Poskett who lifted a lovely ball over the keeper to score Slazengers fifth.

Leeds did not give up & had a few breaks, however, Slazengers proved to be the stronger team on the day , another save from the Leeds keeper & a prowling Elle Poskett picked up the ball & put away her second of the game & Slazengers sixth. With only five minutes left to play, Slazengers showed great resolve & kept the pressure on the Leeds defence. The reward fell to an in form Elle Poskett who put away her third of the game & a well deserved first hatrick.

The final game of the season and a euphoric Slazengers third team finished 7-0 winners.