Slazenger Hockey Club

York

Report: 10-12-2005 – U12 Tournament at Leeds

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Slazenger gained three victories from their five matches in a Boys U12s hockey tournament at Leeds on Sunday.

Despite having the majority of possession in the opening game against York B, Slazengers failed to cash in but Isaac Fisher cooly scored after excellent work by man of the tournament Jack Kitchen, who beat three defenders before putting in a telling pass, to win 1-0.

A goal down within 30 seconds against Bradford, Slazengers never recovered and lost 6-0, the margin being kept down by solid goalkeeping from birthday boy Adam Davis.

Slazengers were more enthusiastic against Bingley, despite falling 3-1 victims, Jake Barras reducing the arrears.

Jenson Brook made some telling breaks from midfield and Thomas Kent was particularly strong with impeccably timed tackles to enable Slazengers to gain a 1-0 success over Kirklees, Jake Barras scoring.

The final match against Halifax was even until a moment of sublime skill, in which Daniel Perry beat half of the opposition before slotting in a long range effort.

Jake Barras improved the lead before Tom Logan, newly promoted from the U10s, was poleaxed by a vicious high ball which caught him on the thigh, but it did not deter Slazengers who managed another strike by Joe Dransfield to gain a 3-0 success.

Report: 13-11-2005 – Boys U12 Tournament

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PROGRESSIVE hockey ensured Slazenger Boys U12s’ second tournament of the season proved a much more encouraging experience.

Slazenger won their opening match against York B with Jack Kitchen sinking the only goal.

The second game was a much tougher affair against a technically superior Chapeltown side.

After conceding two early goals, Slazengers came storming back into the game with Isaac Fisher grabbing a goal and putting the Chapeltown side onto the back foot.

Injuries to Jake Barras and playmaker Danny Perry in the third game led to a 5-0 reversal at the hands of Harrogate.

Slazenger lost out 2-0 to Thirks in their penultimate encounter.

And in the final match, Slazenger were down to five outfield players who, despite tiring, managed several excellent attempts on the opposition goal.

Report: 20-11-2004 – Mens 5th’s (4) vs. (2) York 2nd’s

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Slazenger fifths recovered from two goals down to a defeat York seconds 4-2.

Jermane Cockerill pulled a goal back when he exchanged passes with Russell Killey from a short corner and then good hockey up the field created an equaliser for Ian Gordon to set up Chris Wood for the equaliser.

Slaz came out fighting in the second half with Killey and Cockerill dominating in midfield. A lot of chances were created but no-one taken until Killey set up Wood at the back post, who then Wood teed up Cockerill from the edge of the D for a blistering shot reverse stick shot that left the York keeper baffled.

Report: 16-10-2004 – Mens 1st’s (6) vs. (2) York 2nd’s

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Previous encounters between these two teams have always been close, but this time Slazenger ran out easy winners.

It was not clear what was to come later as previously unbeaten York applied early pressure in this North Division 2 East fixture.  However, a combination of tight marking and some excellent saves from James Cowden kept the home side at bay.  There were also early signs that the Horbury side were capable of catching York on the break.  They took the lead from one such attack.  James Swinden sprinted down the right and his pinpoint cross was met by Paul Wiper who expertly finished with a first-time shot.  Slazenger soon doubled their advantage.  This time James Swinden required no assistance as he finished off his own mazy dribble.  Slazenger were now in complete control and it was no surprise that they added a third with a beautifully worked passing movement from back to front resulting in a goal for the impressive Mark Swinden.

There was no complacency from Slazenger at the start of the second half as they added a fourth when a crisp shot from James Swinden beat the hapless York keeper.  However, the home side rallied, taking advantage of poor marking to score two open play goals in quick succession.  There was then a key 10-minute period during which Slazenger defenders Ivan Wood and Will Buckley steadied the ship.  York’s resolve was finally broken as Adrian Buckley cooly applied a finish after a goalmouth scramble.  Finally, Mike Thornicroft got his reward for his hard work up front, converting a penalty stroke after he had been unceremoniously upended in the circle.

Slazenger look to retain their winning momentum in a home fixture against Marten Furness at 1.30 pm on Saturday.

Report : 26-09-2004 – Boys U10

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Competing in the Yorkshire Youth Hockey League; Held at Huntington School, York. Sunday 26th September 2004.

The start of the first of five tournaments planned for the 2004-2005 season was delayed due to the late arrival of the facilities key holder.

Slazenger’s start this season playing in the lower of three leagues, our team of three Boys and two Girls (we are desperate to recruit more Boys to the side) been made up to the necessary six with the help of players gratefully borrowed from Chapeltown or Wakefield. Our opponents on the day were reduced to four teams with the absence of Thirsk.

The first game was against Harrogate who were a strong team that our inexperienced players, suffering from the lack of the strong defensive strength of the absent Ailish Hendry, found it very difficult to defend against. The result being a resounding 5-0 defeat.

In our second game, against Ben Rhydding B, although the team began to come together and find more shape, even putting together a chance or two on goal. Again our competition proved too strong scoring four goals, the first of which came from a shot from outside the D, rebounding off of our post into the path of their attacker (but they all count). Final score 4-0 to Ben Rhydding B.

Slazenger’s started our third game against Chapeltown in a much more positive manner, putting our opponents under pressure from early in the game. This pressure bringing a goal in the first few minutes scored by Daniel Perry after all our attacking players had seen a touch of the ball inside the Chapeltown D. They were quick to come back at us, until an attack on our goal was thwarted by the umpires whistle when Slazenger’s Issac Fisher was struck in the chest by a ball unintentionally flicked up off a Chapletown stick. We were soon back on the attack ourselves though, Daniel again managing to force a goal after another goal mouth scramble. Chapeltown popped in a consolation goal near the end of the eight-minute game with some neat “brake-away” play involving Joshua, a playing we had “borrowed” earlier in the tournament. Final score 2-1 to Slazengers.

In our final game against York B a third girl, Sophie from Chapletown made up the numbers off our team. We began in the same attacking style and again found ourselves one nil up early in the game. With players committing to attack we were vulnerable to any York break, but half way through the game Issac turned one of this breaks into a goal for Slazengers by driving the length of the pitch, a terrific effort from the six year old. After a final successful tackle on the edge of York’s D Daniel was on hand to pick up the loose ball and force through from the right wing, along the goal line and finish the move with a reverse stick push into the net. The final score of 2-0 could have been 3 when Heather Bates was ideally positioned in front of goal at the end of a pass when the full time whistle blow.

Slazenger’s result of two wins and two defeats will depend on other teams results but will probably see us remain in the third division for the next tournament on the 31st October.

Slazenger Junior Hockey are keen to recruit new members. Training is held on Sunday 10am till 12 noon at Slazenger sports and social club in Horbury (Address on Main Web Page).

Team on photo attached to e-mail; Front row left to right Chloe Bates, Issac Fisher, Heather Bates. Back row left to right Daniel Perry, Jake Barras.

October, we are not charging new prospective members for coaching, and are running our annual “Bring a Buddy Month