Slazenger Hockey Club

Lincoln Roses

Report: 25-01-2014 – Mens 2nd’s (6) vs. (4) Lincoln Roses 3rd’s

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Slazengers mens 2nd team produced a stunning second half fightback to stun league leaders Lincoln Roses mens 3’s, eventually running out 6-4 winners.

Lincoln were the stonger of the two teams early on and took a deserved lead only for Slazengers to up their game and equalise through Jake Barras. Lincoln continued to press playing good attacking hockey and showed why they have been league leaders for the majority of the season scoring 2 more to take a 3-1 lead at half time.

A defensive injury for Slazengers meant a re-shuffle in midfield at the start of the second half and this seemed to spur Slazengers on. They got a goal back when Paul Johnson stepped forward to fire in a short corner and equalised soon after when Matt Stacey knocked in the rebound after the Lincoln keeper had made the initial save. Lincoln picked up their play and began attacking again only for Slazengers to break from their own ‘D’. A number of passes were put together at speed, running the full length of the pitch resulting in Simon Randall with an easy tap in. Lincoln again showed their class equalising themselves only for a Jack Mumford cross to be turned into their own goal by a Lincoln defender. Ben Graham completed the win converting a penalty stroke after a Ste Roberts shot was illegally stopped by a foot on the Lincoln goal line.

Slazengers will look to continue their good run against new league leaders Doncaster on Saturday.

Report: 25-01-2014 – Mens 3rd’s (3) vs. (1) Lincoln Roses 4th’s

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Slazenger Mens 3’s latest fixture, away at Lincoln Roses, looked a tough proposition on paper. With only 11 players and no substitutes everyone had to be on the ball from the start. Surprisingly, for a team lying second in the table, it was the home team who didn’t look up for this fixture. Rain had started falling heavily just before the warm up and Lincoln didn’t appear on the pitch until just before the push back.

Straight from the start Slazengers got about the opposition, denying them time and space on the ball and hitting the opposition with swift counter attacks. Again and again forwards James Walker and Luke Gueli linked up well passing the ball out wide to either flank where wingers Dan Levitt and Danny Moakes were drilling balls into the opposition goalmouth for the forwards to get shots away on goal.

It was no surprise that Danny Moakes after several penalty corners, got onto a rebounded shot and drove the ball low and hard just over the diving keeper. Lincoln didn’t panic and seemed to think it was only a matter of time before they got themselves back into the game, but Slazengers maintained the high tempo and with midfielders Byron Dean and Tom Pitchforth co-ordinating play from the centre of the pitch the Horbury team just couldn’t be contained. The only disappointment was the halftime score of 1-0 didn’t reflect the dominance Slazengers had enjoyed.

Second half the expected Lincoln fightback was countered with more fast, aggressive hockey from the away team and it was a feature of the match that Slazengers always stuck to their game plan whatever distractions the home team conjured up.

Slazengers second goal from half back Simon Taylor was the result of 15 minutes continuous pressure, when he was left unmarked at the far post to score a rare goal. Lincoln were become somewhat agitated at this point and the game became slightly fractious with the umpires having to be more vocal. It was during this period that the home team scored after a solitary lapse in defence. This was unfortunate because Tony Walker and James Higgins had been immense all afternoon calmly dealing with any Lincoln attacks. Highlight of the game was when keeper Darren Buttery cleared his lines on one occasion by kicking the ball high into the air and well into the opposition half.

The Horbury team knew the game was won when Luke Gueli, again on the far post scored for Slazengers, soon after conceding. Despite another fractious final few minutes and the handicap of having two players harshly yellow carded near the end, the away team held on for a memorable victory. Final score 3-1.

Report: 08-12-2012 – Mens 2nd’s (3) vs. (3) Lincoln Roses 4th’s

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Slazengers 2nds made the long trek out to Lincoln for their division 5 confrontation with mid table Lincoln Roses 4ths. With a weakened side, missing several key players, the team pressed on looking for a win to secure their position at the top of the table.

The away team played well, with a standout effort from defender and man of the match Simon Taylor. However the whole team pulled together, and sharing the goals. Jed Whawell, Mark Swallow and Matthew Stacey all netted for slaz. Lincoln fought back equalling the visitors efforts.

Slaz continued to pressure, but their efforts were unable to find the winning goal. The game finished 3-3.

Report: 03-11-2012 – Mens 2nd’s (2) vs. (1) Lincoln Roses 3rd’s

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Slazenger Mens 2nds put an end to a historic undefeated run at Lincoln Roses 3rd’s. The team had been undefeated at home for 7 years, and with Slaz travelling out to Lincoln with a bare 11, things did not look promising.
However, the visitors got to stuck in; Byron Dean opened the scoring. A strike from right wing Matthew Stacey was saved by the keeper, only for the Dean to pick up the rebound and slot it home.
Slaz continued the pressure, however it was left-back Mark Swallow who scored the second, with a strike from the edge of the D.
The win lifts the team back into second place with a game in hand.

Report: 22-09-2012 – Ladies 3rd’s (0) vs (3) Lincoln Roses 1st’s

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The new look Slazenger’s ladies 3rd team got their season off to a start with debuts from 4 players against Lincoln Roses 1st’s.

The match promised to be a tough encounter with Lincoln topping the group last season. Slazenger’s made a promising start with some good work in the midfield. The deadlock was eventually broken when roses converted from a penalty corner from a well executed drill.

Slazenger’s battled hard but few chances came our way. Just before the stroke of half time, Roses scored again with a top strike in the D. Half time team talk and with some inspirational words from coach Hayley Wood, slazenger’s heads were high.

Throughout the second half the play was again dominated in midfield. Slazenger’s could not get the ball up to their forwards; waiting to pounce. Just before the full time whistle, Roses converted again from a penalty corner. In all a very hard battled game which culminated in a 0-3 loss but with plenty of positives to work on and a thoroughly enjoyable game! The only way is up from here on.

Player of the match on debut was Linda Stacey for her awesome work rate in midfield.