Slazenger Hockey Club

Mens 3rd XI

Report: 05-10-2013 – Mens 3rd’s (2) vs. (3) Leeds Gryphons 6th’s

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Slazengers faced a tough task against a fast, skillful Leeds University side for their latest division 5 fixture. They knew they would have to play with lots of energy and great determination. So it was pleasing when for the first 20 minutes of the match they were the dominant team, playing good passing, aggressive hockey. The Horbury team created several decent scoring chances without managing to convert any of these chances.

Leeds Gryphons were too good a team not to fight their way back into the match and for the rest of the 1st half put Slazengers under the cosh. Rich Smyth, the home keeper had to be on his guard to prevent the opposition from scoring.
Second half was more of the same with the university side looking the more mobile and better organised team. It was no surprise when they eventually took the lead after some concerted pressure, but it was disappointing when they quickly scored two further goals to take a 3-0 lead.

Once again the Horbury side showed their character by refusing to accept defeat and for the last quarter of the match, took the game to the opposition once again, winning penalty corner after penalty corner.

It was from one of these corners that man of the match Luke Gueli stroked the ball over the keeper for a goal. Slazengers continued to look to score, skipper Andy Fisher had a snap shot from the top of the goalmouth saved by the Leeds keeper and defender Tony Walker made the score more respectable when he converted another penalty corner with the last hit of the game.

Final score 3-2 to Leeds Gryphons.

Report: 21-09-2013 – Mens 3rd’s (3) vs. (2) Bingley Bees

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Slazengers last pre-season friendly against Bingley Bees, proved to be ideal preparation before the start of their league fixtures next week.

The opposition were a young, skilful side, who despite going a couple of goals behind within the first 20 mins, scored by Aidan Hopkinson and Dan Levitt, were not easily deterred and gave the home side lots of problems to think about.

The goals had come slightly against the run of play and Bingley didn’t waste time in getting back into the game. Where as they were decisive and looked dangerous in attack, Slazengers were wasteful in possession, lacked imagination and were grateful for the half-time whistle having seen their lead disappear after conceding 2 goals in quick succession, due to poor marking.

The second half proved to be a close affair with both sides battling hard for dominance, but Slazengers improved their passing game and looked to be gaining the upper hand when the game was briefly paused to allow frayed tempers to cool. On the restart, Slazengers continued to press and a clever deflected shot past the impressive Bingley keeper, by midfielder Luke Gueli, allowed the home team a hard fought victory.

Mens 3rd Team Cup Final Details

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The Mens 3rd team have made it to the League Cup D Final!

Dates of the cup finals have now been set.

Sunday 14 April 2013 – Harrogate HC, Granby Hockey Centre
11:30 – Men’s League Cup D: Ben Rhydding 6/7 v Slazengers 3/4

All support is welcome!

 

The full schedule for the YHA Cup Final Days 2012-2013 is shown below.

Saturday 13 April 2013 – Halifax HC, Park Lane High School
10:30 – Pitch 2: Men’s League Play-off (if needed)
11:30 – Pitch 1: Women’s Yvonne Horner Shield: Halifax 2 v Lincoln Roses 1
12:30 – Pitch 2: Women’s League Play-off
13:30 – Pitch 1: Men’s League Cup A: Harrogate 3 or Rotherham 1 v Brigg 1/2
14:30 – Pitch 2: Men’s League Cup B/C: Bradford University 1 v Leeds 4
15:30 – Pitch 1: Women’s Yorkshire Cup: Leeds 2 v Sheffield Hallam 2
(Times may change if no Men’s League Play-off is needed)

Sunday 14 April 2013 – Harrogate HC, Granby Hockey Centre
11:30 – Men’s League Cup D: Ben Rhydding 6/7 v Slazengers 3/4
13:30 – Women’s Division 6 Cup: Kingston-upon-Hull 4/5 or Wakefield 5 v Epworth 1
15:30 – Men’s Veteran Cup: Kingston-upon-Hull v City of York

Report: 02-03-2013 – Men’s 3rds (10) vs. (1) Sheffield Hallam 7th’s

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Slazengers wanted a strong response after their recent setback and didn’t disappoint in the match at home against Sheffield Hallam.

From the start Slazengers started with a good tempo and with a slightly altered team formation, played a more pressing game than in their recent performances. Time and again the home team managed to get behind the opposition defence, turn the defenders and create some great scoring opportunities.

That said, Sheffield Hallam had a strategy of their own to try and press the player in possession and force mistakes. They knew the dangers the home team presented after a strong performance by Slazengers in their previous encounter this season. Sheffield continued to press for the whole of the first half but began to concede goals halfway through the half and continued to do so for the rest of the game.

Returning striker Andy Birkett came of the sub bench to start the scoring with a well taken reverse sweep of his first touch of the game. He quickly followed that up with another and the trend was set for the rest of the match.

Slazengers went into the half time break 3-0 up.

Second half the home team had to soak up a bit of early pressure but once the away team had conceded another goal from a well taken penalty corner you could see that Sheffield’s enthusiasm for the game was waning.

It was encouraging to see that Slazengers maintained their focus and hunger for goals. Ian Hedges contributed with a brace, as did forward Steve Johnson, defender Mark Kitchen converted another penalty corner as did Andy Birkett for his hat-trick and Alex Calderley, debuting as a winger, coolly slotted into the bottom corner from the top of the goalmouth.

Goal of the day was started by half back Alan Perry when he spun and outpaced his marker to drive the ball down the sideline to find man of the match Andy Birkett unmarked in the final quarter who drew the keeper of his goal line before deftly passing to Darren Buttery for a simple tap in to an empty net.
Final score 10-1.

Report: 23-02-2013 – Mens 3rd’s (3) vs. (5) Garforth 1st’s

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Slazenger 3’s faced a top of the table clash away against Garforth in their latest division 6 south encounter and made the worst sort of starts when conceding an early goal to the hosts.

Fortunately, Slazengers weren’t behind for long when Dan Levitt managed to nudge the ball over the goal line after an earlier effort from skipper Andy Fisher hit the post and rebounded across the goal.

However, the warning signs were there for Slazengers that this was going to be a long afternoon. Time and again Garforth continued to break from deep, at pace and always had options to pass. Slazengers were having to work very hard to get a foothold in the game and whilst they did create several chances to score themselves during the first half, they failed to convert these chances. Tellingly Garforth didn’t miss their opportunities and went into the half time break 3-1 up.

The score would have been much worse but for a Man of the Match performance from keeper Richard Smyth who time and again had to provide the last desperate line of defence.

Second half Slazengers tried to play with more composure, keep possession better and pass to people in space.

Whilst, there was a slight improvement, the away team continued to conceded soft goals, often reacting second to loose balls or falling foul of a dodgy playing surface.

However, after going 5-1 down Slazengers suddenly woke up and began to compete, playing to restore a little pride. The passing was better, the away team made better use of Ian Hedges and Dan Levitt on the wings, with Robin Whawell and Ste Roberts working hard in midfield.

Aidan Hopkinson managed to convert after a long period of pressure and when Luke Gueli scored a third with 10 minutes to go, the hosts had to dig deep and defend in numbers to fend off a late resurgence.

Final score 5-3.