Slazenger Hockey Club

Mens 2nd XI

Report: 24-09-2016 – Mens 2nd’s (2) vs. (6) Harrogate Mens 3

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Slazengers mens 2nd team started their league campaign against a Harrogate side that went unbeaten throughout the entire of last season and although they were good in patches, eventually went down 6-2.

Slazengers were dealing with a much changed side from the previous season and were also playing a new formation which allowed Harrogate, a team that has played together for a number of seasons, to take advantage of individual errors and a bit of confusion over the new formation. Slazengers struggled in the first half primarily with players getting dragged out of position which allowed Harrogate to take a 4-1 lead at the break. Slazengers goal came courtesy of a sharp finish from Asad Baig.

Slazengers were better in the second half and were only undone on 2 occasions, both times following some excellent play down the flanks by Harrogate. Slazengers goal came through Harry Gunning who enjoyed a good debut for the team as did Amir Khalil in the centre of midfield. Despite being on the wrong end of the 6-2 scoreline, there are a number of positives which Slazengers can take from the game and apply in the coming weeks.

Report: 19-12-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (2) vs. (5) Tadcaster Magnets 1st’s

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Slazengers Mens 2nd team found themselves travelling to Tadcaster on Saturday for a 10.30am push and with a number of players suffering from Christmas parties the previous evening, found themselves 4-0 down at half time. The scoreline didn’t fully reflect the game as Slazengers created a number of chances and had an open goal gone in when the score was 2-0, things could have been a lot closer.

After some harsh words at half time, Slazengers put in a much better 2nd half performance winning the half 2-1 but ending up 5-2 losers overall. Goals came from Matt Green and Simon Chamberlain. After a number of player losses at the start of the season, Slazengers will be happy to find themselves in mid table.

Matt Chilton has been excellent following his debut with the 2nd’s and the team will be looking to consolidate their position going into the 2nd half of the season.

Report: 05-12-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (4) vs. (2) University of Leeds 2nd’s

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After going 4 games without a win, Slazengers were relieved to find 3 points again after running out 4-2 winners at home to University of Leeds mens 2’s.

Slazengers were boosted by the return of Will Buckley playing his first game of the season and immediately put Leeds under pressure creating a number of chances. Slazengers broke the deadlock after a quick break resulted in Daz Buttery finding Simon Randall who finished well from a narrow angle. Slazengers doubled their lead when captain Ben Graham picked up the ball in midfield, drove to the ‘D’ and finished well under the onrushing keeper to give Slazengers a 2-0 lead at half time.

Leeds must have had strong words as they came out of the break the better side and scored 2 quick goals to draw level. Slazengers settled back into their rhythm however and began controlling the game again with the Leeds keeper making a number of saves to keep them in it. Slazengers took the lead again when Graham grabbed his second following a goalmouth scramble and the points were sealed when Buckley got on the scoresheet in the final minutes.

Slazengers will look to build on this win away to Chapeltown on Saturday.

Report: 28-11-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (1) vs. (3) Sheffield University Bankers 5th’s

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Slazengers mens 2nd team suffered back to back defeats for the first time this season eventually going down 3-1 at home to Sheffield University Bankers mens 5’s.

In recent games Slazengers have failed to create chances but rectified that in this game creating a number of opportunities only to lack the finishing touch. Bankers started the game on the front foot and took an early lead after dominating for much of the opening exchanges. Slazengers could have been forgiven for expecting the worst at that point but everyone upped their workrate and Slazengers began to get back into the game. A number of chances were created and the equalizer came through Ben Graham following a short corner. Bankers took the lead again before the break and Slazengers nearly equalized when Asad Baig got free only to see his powerful shot come back off the post.

The second half was played through a torrential downpour although it didn’t affect the game, both teams played good hockey but neither could find the goal they needed. Slazengers had a number of opportunities to equalize but couldn’t beat an in form Bankers keeper and it fell to Bankers to secure the points when Slazengers were caught up field and a quick breakaway sore Bankers find the net.

Ben Graham took the man of the match award for Slazengers who will look at bounce back next week against Leeds University.

Report: 21-11-2015 – Mens 2nd’s (0) vs. (2) Acomb 1st’s

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Slazengers mens 2nd team travelled to Acomb 1’s on Saturday and went down 2-0 to a strong Acomb side. Acomb were very well organised and passed the ball round well meaning Slazengers found themselves chasing the game for long periods.

Acomb went 1-0 up midway through the first half and although Slazengers created some chances, struggled to work the Acomb keeper. The 2nd half saw Slazengers press higher trying to chase the game but found themselves caught on the break on a number of occasions and relied on the defence and keeper to keep Acomb at bay.

As Slazengers tired towards the end of the game, Acomb found more space and eventually got their second in the final minute.