Slazenger Hockey Club

Ladies 3rd XI

Report: 02-04-2011 – Ladies 3rd’s (3) vs. (0) Halifax 4th’s

by

Slazengers ladies thirds bagged yet another win for the season against Halifax. Slazengers were worthy 3-0 winners.

Slazengers had so many chances on goal in the first ten minutes that they were beginning to wonder if this was going to be just one of those games. They need not have worried, up stepped player of the match Chelsea Armitage to break the dead lock to put away an unstoppable shot straight into the far left corner.

Slazengers were hopeful that this was just the start; Halifax had to defend in numbers which made the D very congested. Further attempts on goal from players Rebecca Jessop, Katie Browne, Gemma Whittam were all thwarted. The goal drought was soon ended by Julie Bacon who had been looking for the goal on numerous other attacks, not to be denied on this occasion a great strike and Slazengers goal tally increased to two.

Slazengers kept applying the pressure looking for that third, Sally Thornton put some great balls into the D which were unfortunately not converted, Elle Poskett worked tirelessly in her role & caused Halifax huge problems with her turn of speed.

With only minutes left to play a short was awarded to Slazengers, determined to claim a third goal , Slazengers pushed up the field, with so many players in the D it was difficult to see who actually had the final touch however the team decision was that captain Julie Finch could claim the goal.

A great 3-0 win for the mighty thirds.

Report: 26-03-2011 – Ladies 3rd’s (2) vs (0) Colne Valley 2nd’s

by

Slazenger Ladies 3rd’s hockey team continued their winning form with a 2-0 win over 3rd placed Colne Valley.

It was a great match for Slazengers who continued to build on their form from last week by playing some good hockey. Ball movement was immense, every player played their part in the team, working hard, tracking back & backing up team mates.

Slazengers took charge of the game from the off, Gemma Whittam had the first strike on goal but was denied by a great stop from the keeper. Undeterred, Slazengers battled on & with Sally Thornton making a great run on the wing, great back up play from Katie Browne saw a lovely ball played into the D for an on form Elle Poskett to put away her first goal of the game.

Slazengers dominated the pitch, Katie Brown had a great game & created a number of chances, Rebecca Jessop was awarded player of the match & played a immense game on her debut.

Further shots on goal from Jessica Holland, Channelle Luxford & Zoe Bacon were all thwarted by the Colne Valley keeper. Colne Valley did make the occasional break but the defensive partnership of captain Julie Finch , Heather Bates & keeper Chloe Bates were impenetrable & Colne Valley were unable to get on the score sheet.

Slazengers used the width well & yet another break by Sally Thornton enabled Channelle Luxford to play a well timed ball to Elle Poskett who put away her second on the game.

Final score was a good 2- 0 win to Slazengers.

Report: 05-03-2011 – Ladies 3rd’s (1) vs (2) Doncaster 4th’s

by

Slazengers were all over Doncaster in the 1st half. After some amazing attacking play from slaz it was clear it was only a matter of time before the first goal would be blasted against the backboard. There was some beautiful build up play from midfielders Becky Stafford and Katie Brown in midfield before Roxy Farris and Elle Poskett did a series of sensational passes before a superb strike from Roxy Farris finished the move putting slaz 1-0 up.After the goal Slaz continued to push Doncaster deep into their own half, creating many more chances. Unfortunately they could not be converted although Gemma Whittam did manage to get a hat trick of hitting the post which can only be described as a special achievement. Just before the half time whistle Doncaster punished Slaz for these missed chances by scoring on the break, bringing the scores level again.

From the start of the second half Slaz were again creating many chances from the wing with some silky skills from Kate Durrans. Many balls were put through the box but nobody could get the vital touch past the keeper. After these missed chances Doncaster again got round the Slazenger defence for another goal against the run of play. Now Slazenger were chasing the game with around 20 minutes to go.

This called for super striker Julie Finch to make her way up the pitch, easily taking the ball past four players, only to be denied by a dive from the keeper that any premiership footballer or olympic diver would be proud of! The chances continued to come after this but were all saved by some outstanding saves from the keeper. Sadly there were no goals for Slaz after this and the score stayed at 2-1, a result which was not deserved by Slaz.

By Donna Simpson
From match played at Doncaster Hockey club on Saturday 5th March 2011

Report: 22-01-2011 – Ladies 3rd’s (3) vs (1) Tadcaster Magnets

by

Slazenger Ladies 3rd’s hockey team were back to winning form for their first home game of the year. Slazengers were playing Tadcaster Magnets and took charge of the game from the off. Sally Thornton was first on the score sheet from a fantastic ball through from Becky Stafford, a clinical finish from the far post . Roxy Farris & Elle Poskett formed a formidable duo which Tadcaster found hard to keep pace with. The midfield partnership of Julie Bacon & Becky Stafford worked really well with the ball been distributed out wide to Gemma Whittam & Chelsea Armitage. Slazengers were denied repeatedly by a great performance from the Tadcaster keeper who was kept extremely busy . Tadcaster were then awarded a short corner , the initial shot was cleared but Tadcaster were quick to follow the rebound which secured their first goal.

Man of the match player Jess Holland had a fantastic game & worked tirelessly in right midfield & was certainly unlucky not to score . The next goal came from a great hit out from Julie Finch picking out a run from Roxy Farris, a great solo effort saw Roxy drive the ball around numerous defenders & then conclude with a great goal.

Team talk at half time called for more of the same & Slazengers really dug deep & worked hard . Slazengers had most of the attacking play but Tadcaster had a couple of good breaks which goalkeeper Chloe Bates cleared well. Lauren Fealy caused Tadcaster all sorts of problems down the left with some really good breaks. Slazengers had numerous short corner awards but failed to capitalise on these until Beccy Stafford laid off a lovely ball to Julie Bacon who put away Slazengers third of the game. Slazengers pushed to the final whistle but the score remained at 3-1, a good win for Slazengers 3rds.

From Donna Simpson
Match Played at Slazenger Hockey Club on Saturday, 22nd January 2010

Report: 15-01-2011 – Ladies 3rd’s (3) vs. (6) Horsforth 1st’s

by

Slazenger Ladies 3rd’s hockey team played away at Horsforth , this was the first game of the year, in fact the first game in over 8 weeks & it showed. Slazengers made very hard work of the first half and Horsforth capitalized on this. Horsforth moved the wall well & attacked in numbers, Slazengers found themselves 3 – 0 down in the first 25 mins.In true Slazenger form, the team worked hard & with a superb solo effort from Chelsea Armitage, Slazengers made it onto the score sheet. Horsforth then scored again on the break & with the score a t 4-1 the half time whistle came which allowed for that much needed team talk from captain Julie Finch.

The second half saw a much improved team, the midfield duo of man of the match player Beccy Stafford & Julie Bacon distributed the ball well. Slazengers utilised the full width of the pitch with Heather Bates & Sally Thornton linking up well down the left side. It wasn’t long before all of the attacking play paid off. Slazengers were awarded a short which after the initial clearance Beccy Stafford put it away to bring the scoreline to 4-2.

Lauren Fealy was tested repeatedly in defence & remained strong, linking up well with Millie Crowther & Zoe Bacon. Slazengers needed to push for another goal which unfortunately allowed Horsforth to catch the team on the break & despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Chloe Bates, Horsforth scored another.

Slazengers certainly did not give up & after a couple of near misses Gemma Whittam stepped up for a fantastic reverse stick shot into the net. With the score at 5-3 and only five minutes left on the clock both teams were pushing hard for the next goal . The chance came to Horsforth, they managed to play a good ball around the keeper & an despite an attempt by defender Karen Bates of a goal line clearance , it was not to be & Horsforth scored the final goal of the game.

Final score was 6-3 to Horsforth.

Match played at Horsforth Hockey Club on 15th January 2011