Slazenger Hockey Club

Mens 3rd XI

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: 18-01-2014 – Mens 3rd’s (2) vs. (2) Brigg 3rd’s

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Slazenger Mens 3’s had tough opposition in Brigg 3’s for their latest match in Yorkshire division 5. Earlier in the year Brigg had given the Horbury side a bit of a hockey lesson in the repeat fixture.

This time Slazengers took the early initiative with man of the match winger Ian Hedges leading the way with tenacious tackling and good stick skills. Slazengers looked to build attacks from out wide with good link up play from midfield.

Brigg were a lot more direct hitting wide players up front and using their skills to cause chaos in the Horbury team penalty area. Despite this James Higgins and Tony Walker were solid in defence and the whole team were determined to not let the opposition dominate play. It was no fluke when the home team took the lead after a low drilled pass into the opposition goalmouth was tipped into the goal by a Brigg defender.

Slazengers held onto the lead for a short while before Brigg found their striker unmarked on the edge of the goalmouth who calmly slotted past the Slazengers keeper. Halftime score 1-1.

The start of the second half was the most important part of the game, with the game even poised, both sides created good attacking opportunities without finding the net. Slazengers missed a glaring opportunity to take the lead just before Brigg did manage to score.

Luckily, heads didn’t drop and within 5 minutes Alan Perry restored parity with a well taken goal, driven high into the roof of the net.

The last quarter of the game became more disjointed and fractious but neither team were able to find the winner so final score was 2-2.

Report: 04-01-2014 – Mens 3rd’s (3) vs. (2) Leeds 6th’s

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Slazenger 3’s returned to action in Yorkshire division 5 south, after their Christmas break, with a competitive 3-2 victory over strong opposition in Leeds 6’s.

The first half was very even with both sides having chances to score. But for some resolute defending, the game had remained scoreless well into the first half. The opposition drew first blood when under pressure defender Alex Calderley turned a well drilled shot accidentally into his own net.

Slazengers remained upbeat and it wasn’t long before striker Luke Gueli received the ball on the edge of the goalmouth, smartly turned his marker and deftly beat the advancing keeper with a delicate reverse flick.

The scores remained level at the halftime interval.

Second half Slazengers began to exert more pressure than previously and were gaining the upper hand in the match. So it was slightly annoying when the Horbury team conceded again to go 2-1 behind.

This just galvanised the team and it was fitting that man of the match James Walker scored the equaliser after some smart work and quality passing around the opposition half. Slazengers didn’t settle for the draw and just before the finish it was James Walker again who had the satisfaction of smashing the ball high into the empty goal from close range after another incisive attack.

Final score 3-2.

Report: 14-12-2013 – Mens 3rd’s (3) vs. (5) Lincoln 2nd’s

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Slazenger 3’s last game of 2013 saw them play a Lincoln Roses team lying second in the league and it was soon apparent to the Horbury side why they are so high in the table. The opposition were very quick and skillful on the counter attack. They were naturally full of confidence and played with great freedom. Slazengers looked sluggish in comparison and were slow to get going.

The home side were lucky not to conceded very early in the game as Lincoln tore through the opposition several times. That said the better chances did fall to Slazengers as the half progressed but the Lincoln keeper proved up to the task. Just as the Horbury side looked like they were getting to grips with the situation they conceded 2 late goals to go into the interval behind.

Second half Slazengers responded, people began to take responsibility and got their due rewards when Man of the Match Luke Gueli deflected a direct strike into the goalmouth past the keeper.

It was game on when continued pressure yielded a further goal to midfielder Jack Mumford from close rang. This was now the crucial period of the game, it was evenly matched and Lincoln for the first time during the afternoon could not be sure of the victory. So it was particularly frustrating when the opposition were gifted a soft goal after some poor team defending.

Slazenger heads did not drop and they immediately looked to level the game once again. In an increasingly open game Luke Gueli deftly brought his side back into the match with another deflected goal.

However, Slazengers failed to consolidate as previously and allowed the opposition to put their noses in front once again. It was unfortunate that the Horbury side conceded a further goal very late in the match whilst going all out for the draw. Final score 5-3 to Lincoln.

Report: 07-12-2013 – Mens 3rd’s (0) vs. (0) Leeds Adel 5th’s

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Slazenger 3’s match was away against a tough and resilient Leeds Adel side. In a fast and furious encounter both sides were quick in attack and very resilient in defence. The Horbury side took the early initiative with captain Byron Dean and Ian Hedges linking up well with winger Dan Levitt in attack. They created several attacking opportunities but the opposition always managed to snuff out the danger with numbers in the penalty area and when relied upon the Adel keeper was there to make some good saves. Slazengers throughout the game just couldn’t get a decent strike on goal, either being denied the opportunity or taking too long to get the shot away.
In the other goal, Jack Mumford proved to be an able deputy, marshalling the team well and dealing with the few shots Adel had. His centre halves James Higgins and Mark Kitchen were immense on the day and half backs Simon Taylor and Robin Brearton never stopped working both in their defensive roles and providing attacking options down the flanks.
The Horbury team had to endure lots of pressure both sides of half time but came through this to finish the game in the ascendancy. Alan Perry worked well on the left wing and debutant Tom Pitchforth was man of the match playing in an assured manner in whatever position he was asked to play and was unlucky not to score the winner right at the death.
Final score 0-0.