Slazenger Hockey Club

Ladies 3rd XI

Report: 03-10-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (2) vs. (2) Huddersfield Kirklees 1st’s

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The Ladies 3rds had an unlucky draw against a physically tough Huddersfield 1s early on Saturday morning. Huddersfield started off strong getting their two goals of the game in the first 15 minutes before Slazengers woke up. Beth Prince worked tirelessly in midfield and created some good chances, this resulted in the first goal coming from a deflection off the stick of Hannah Chilton 10 minutes before half time after an excellent shot from Mollie Gilbert.

Slaz kept their heads high going into the second half and player of the match Hannah Chilton had multiple attacks down the left wing. Slaz then gained an attacking short corner and Linda Stacey powered the ball into the goal after a battle between the teams in the D.

Slazengers fought hard and produced a great team performance throughout the game resulting in what can only be described as an unfortunate 2-2 draw.

Report: 19-09-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (3) vs. Sheffield Hallam 3rd’s (1)

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Slazengers ladies 3’s made an impressive start to the season with their first game at home to a promising Sheffield Hallam side. Due to the summer reshuffle of the leagues, Slazengers were entertaining a side who finished last season 2 leagues above.

However they did not allow this to concern them, and they went 1-0 up midway through the first half as a result of quick passing which resulted in forward Karen Woodhead getting her 1st goal after her return from maternity.

Slazengers built the pressure and their lead was extended by Louise Beever when she swept the ball into the back of the goal.

The 2-0 lead was taken into half time and Slazengers began the 2nd half with the same dominance. A strong defence ensured that the visitors had no way through, but an unlucky deflection let Sheffield sneak a goal back. However this did not last long as Slazengers restored the goal difference when player of the match Karen Woodhead scored her second of the game to give Slazengers a much deserved 3-1 win and their first points on the board.

Report: 28-03-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (1) vs. (1) Ben Rhydding 4th’s

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Slazenger’s 3’s made the journey to Ilkley side Ben Rydding for their final match of the season.

The first half saw Slazengers on top of their game with the midfield ensuring that the Ben rydding side only encroached the Slazengers half on a handful of occasions and when they did they caused no concern for the experienced slazengers defence. Despite Slazenger’s controlling they were unable to convert their possession into goals and a 0-0 scoreline was taking into the half time break.

The second half started off positively for Slazenger’s when a change around up front led to centre forward Justine Birkett slotting the ball past the keeper and onto the back board after a defiant run down the right by player of the match Ellie Paige. However Ben Rydding caught Slazengers off guard when their counter attack was finished off with a goal only moments later. Slazengers continued to show their dominance however were unable to change the scoreline and a 1-1 draw was held until the final whistle.

A frustrating end to Slazenger’s season in a game where they should have secured all 3 points. However that being said the team have had a good season overall finishing mid table.

Report: 21-03-2015 – Ladies 3rds (1) vs. (3) Pickering 1st’s

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Slazengers Ladies 3s had a home fixture in their penultimate game against a Pickering team with whom they were looking to repeat their success from earlier in the season, when they had been victors in a closely fought battle.

The game started well for Slazengers with the ball finding its way into the Pickering penalty area on a number of occasions. However Slazengers couldn’t find the finishing touch and were unable to capitalise on their early pressure. Pickering began to battle back, with quick fluid passes that eventual resulted in them taking a 0-1 lead. Slazengers made efforts to equalize, but it was not to be when the Pickering attack quickly pushed forward and secured their second goal.

The slazenger half-time team talk had the desired effect, and they came out beginning the second half much as they had the first. Pushing forward they forced a penalty corner within the first 10 minutes. The push out found the stick of Linda Stacey who powerfully struck the ball onto the stick of a Pickering defender, the ball deflected into the path of right winger Louise Beever who pulled one back for Slazengers with a sweep that lifted the ball high into the back of the net. Slazengers kept up the momentum, finding themselves in the Pickering penalty area on a number of further occasions, but yet again, were unable to find the backboard to even out the scoreline.

The 2 goal gap was eventually restored by Pickering. A 1-3 defeat for Slazengers in the end, but they should consider themselves unlucky, in what was overall, an evenly matched game. Player of the match went to forward Lauren Fealy.

Report: 28-02-2015 – Ladies 3rd’s (0) vs. (2) York University 2nd’s

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Slazengers ladies 3’s travelled to York for their match against a university side positioned third in the league. The first half saw a competitive game with both teams evenly matched and hard work in midfield and defence ensured that the young university team did not put themselves on the scoreboard.

A 0-0 scoreline was taken into the second half where both teams continued to battle, despite the fast pace beginning to take its toll.

Unfortunately, Slazengers could not keep York university at bay any longer, with York scoring 2 goals from quick play. Slazengers kept their focus though and did not allow York to capitalise further. Goal keeper Dana Clarke made a number of good saves helping to frustrate the York attack.

Despite being 2 goals down, Slazengers kept the York defence on their toes, creating many an opprtunity to try and pull the game back. Working non stop in midfield, the ball often found it’s way towards the York goal for the Slazengers attack to pounce, however it was not to be Slazenger’s’ day and they were unable to find the finishing touch, with the scoreline finishing 2-0.

Player of the match went to Emily Chason who stood strong in midfield.