by Slazenger HC
Slaz mens development squad showed how far they have come this season with a fantastic display of hockey in their win over Huddersfield rivals.
Captain and keeper Ralph toon took charge, and kept a clean sheet, while up font Isaac Fisher and Rowan Tejura fought admirably in midfield.
In the end it was man of the match Luke Gueli and star strikers Danny Croxall who secured the goals with one each to secure the win.
by Slazenger HC
Captain Andy Fisher’s Development squad (4th’s) played a spirited game on Saturday, coming away with a well deserved 1-0 victory.
The game started with a great level of energy, and within minutes, it was Slazenger who went on the offensive. The midfield surged forward into Huddersfield’s half, with fluid passing between Luke Gueli, Matt Smith and Tim Hunter. During the first half, it was the home team who maintained the pressure. Occasionally, Huddersfield broke through the green lines, moving swiftly and putting the defense on the back foot, but struggled to find an opening.
In the closing minutes of the first half, the pressure paid off. A quick movement between Robin Brearton and James Bennett broke through Huddersfield’s midfield, setting up Paresh Tejura for his first Slazenger goal!
In the second half, Slazenger continued to press, and had several close chances. Rowan Tejura and James Bennet went close, but struggled to seal their second goal. While Huddersfield looked threatening on the break, they struggled to get through the home defence. Great defensive work from Alan Bates and John Toon held strong, with Goalie Ralph Toon putting in several great saves to keep Slazenger ahead.
In the end, it was unfortunate that Slazenger were unable to press their advantage, given their strong showing, in a game where they had plenty of chances, but struggled to convert more. However, the standard of hockey showed how far the development team have come in the past 5 months.
By Ian Hedges
From match played against Huddersfield Dragons development squad (6ths) on Saturday 29th January 2011
Team list: John Toon, Rowan Tejura and Alan Bates, Andy Fisher (Captain), Luke Gueli, Matt Smith, Tim Hunter, James Bennett, Robin Brearton, Tom Pitchforth, Peter Gunning, Paresh Tejura, Ralph Toon (Goalie)
by Slazenger HC
Slazenger’s first league game since the Christmas break was a spirited affair against Barnsley. Both teams were evenly matched.
Barnsley enjoyed some early possession and quickly converted that pressure into a goal. Slazenger did respond to the set back and tried to start playing some quick, passing hockey. Unfortunately, after some attacking breaks in the opposition half they conceded two more sloppy goals. Both were very similar in that they left the defence isolated and Barnsley capitalised by leaving players up the field who converted their chances in front of goal.
For the last 10 minutes of the first half the Horbury side enjoyed the majority off possession and could have scored several goals but all opportunities were spurned. Luckily, a mis-timed shot from Robin Brearton sneaked through the keeper’s legs for a 3-1 half-time score.
Barnsley started the second half strongly and were gifted a fourth goal when a mis-timed pass in defence put one of the Barnsley strikers in on goal. Both sides continued to press for additional goals and Slazenger’s, although creating further scoring opportunities, continued to live dangerously at the other end with goalkeeper Ralph Toon making a couple of telling saves.
Slazenger’s began to dominate for the rest of the game with relentless pressure but still didn’t have the clinical edge in front of goal, that they needed if they were to level the game.
Fortunately, all the pressure did have some reward when Slazenger’s were awarded a penalty flick, which James Bennett duly converted, quickly followed by a football type celebration in the centre circle!!
Slazenger’s continued attacking strongly but failed to defend a simple pass upfield from the Barnsley defence which was duly converted. The game ended 5-2 to Barnsley.
By Andy Fisher
From match played at Barnsley Hockey Club on Saturday 15th January 2011
by Slazenger HC
Slazenger played a strong game, distributing the ball quickly, moving it through to Isaac Fisher, Robert Cann and Matthew Smith; strikers in the making. In the first half, the match was well balanced, with several great opportunities for the home side. Unfortunately a strong back line and goalie denied all efforts. In return however, when Doncaster broke, they broke hard. The ball was distributed to the centre, with Slazenger having to take on Doncaster’s playmaker. The ball was moved through Slazenger’s midfield, finding the wingers who gave Rowan Tejura and Nathan Crowther plenty of work to deal with. Doncaster maintained the pressure, and Slazenger eventually conceeded off a short corner. By the end of the first half, Slazenger was down by 3.
The second half saw Slazenger apply far greater pressure, and look to be taking control. The midfield stood stronger, and co-ordinated to incapacitate the playmaker, cutting off the oppositions supply to the front line. In the end, even with the great pressure applied by Slazenger, they were unable to convert. Ian Gordon went close, and Isaac Fisher’s shot went wide of the post. Finally, special mention should go to Paresh Tejura, who’s level of enthusiasm was only matched by his clumsy destruction.
by Slazenger HC
Slazenger’s development team played on Saturday after two weeks away from the field. This was the second, home leg against Rotherham which ended 3-3 in their last encounter. Unfortunately, the second game ended with a draw even after a great performance from a young team, growing in confidence.
The first half started brightly, with a strong surge of activity down the right hand side. Link up play from Robin Brearton, Josh Petty and Issac Fisher split the defence and gave the opposition’s keeper an early test. However, even with continued pressure of an aggressive front line Rotherham’s defensive line held strong.
Several short corners later, and the team had yet to score the decisive opener. A quick move from the right wing, and a powerful cross found veteran striker Ian “Flash” Gordon. It was a simple tap in to secure the opener. However this was disallowed, as it had been decided to limit scoring to junior players only. So it was back to square one for the eager side. A couple of breaks through the Slazenger line tested the mid field, though with the Rowan Tejura and Nathan Crowther holding the line, Slazenger maintained clear sheet through the first half.
Going into the second half, the pressure continued through Slazenger’s strike team, and it paid off with a combination play setting up Robin Brearton for a clear strike on goal; defeating the keeper in a single shot. In the end, this was not enough and while Slazenger had several chances; most notable a shot by Isaac Fisher falling wide of the mark, it was Rotherham who scored next. A brief loss of concentration allowed the equaliser, slipping through the defence and defeating star keeper Ralph Toon.
The scoreline remained 1-1 until the whistle blew. Slazenger can come away confident with the way the team has improved in the last 3 months, though may be disappointed that the possession could not be converted to a decisive win after the two week’s away. Next week Slazenger face off at home against York who sit at the top of the table.
By Ian Hedges
From match against Rotherham Development Squad at Slazenger Hockey Club on Saturday 6th November 2010
Team List: John Toon, Ralph Toon (Keeper), Ian Hedges, Nathan Crowther, Isaac Fisher, Rowan Tejura, Robin Brearton, Matthew Feather, Alan Bates, Josh Petty, Tom Pitchforth, Robert Cann, Andrew Fisher (Captain), Ian Gordon,
