Ladies 1st XI

Match Report

the ladies 1sts travelled to Halifax for the first league fixture of the season. Despite some good play from the squad, Halifax were more clinical in goal and were able to dispatch 3 changes. #

Slaz can take heart from a strong performance, and a debut goal from Ruth Bullimore on her first appearance for the Ladies 1st's. Slazenger travel to Pocklington 1st's next week, looking for the first win of the season.

Match Report

🎄 LESS THAN 100 DAYS ‘TIL CHRISTMAS! 🎄

Pocklington 2–2 Slazenger Ladies 1s | Away

With less than 100 days until Christmas, the Ladies 1s clearly decided it was still far too early to be out of bed on a dreary Saturday morning! 🎅🏼☕ It took Slaz a little while to wake up, and Pocklington wasted no time taking advantage, scoring two goals in quick succession.

Thankfully, the 1s eventually found their Christmas spirit! WOOP – Gemma was back between the sticks! 🥳 She pulled off some fantastic saves to keep Slaz in the game while the defence regrouped. Emma, Nicci and Marissa brought plenty of experience at the back, shutting down further Pocklington attacks and giving Slaz the platform to push forward.

Despite battling a rather festive-season cold, Eliz put in a great performance, while some excellent passing through the 16-yard area between Emma, Amelia and Frankie released Lou, who finished brilliantly from a tight angle to get Slaz back into the game. 🎄

From there, the team found their rhythm and started to play some lovely hockey. The juniors showed that Thursday training is clearly paying off, with some excellent cutting, movement and skills to work their way past the Pocklington defence. We may just need a small Christmas reminder to get our feet around the ball and stop it on our open stick! 🎁

Ruth, Millie and Lou linked up well defensively, while Melissa worked tirelessly to connect the midfield and attack. Frankie put in a huge shift throughout the game, helping to control the midfield alongside Lucy, Amelia and Melissa.

At half time, the focus was on improving the press and making sure we took quick free hits. Marissa listened to the brief and delivered, taking some excellent early free hits and putting Pocklington under pressure. 👏

The second half brought plenty more determination from Slaz. Amelia produced one of the runs of the game, picking the ball up on the 25 and driving all the way into the opposition D. She earned a free hit just outside the circle, which was played through to Rebecca.

Rebecca showed some silky skills to work her way into the D and win a short corner. The initial effort was saved, but Amelia was quickest to react to the rebound and fired it home! 2–2! 🥅🔥

Costa earned! ☕

From 2–0 down, Slaz fought their way back to secure a well-earned point. There were plenty of positives to take, particularly from the juniors, who showed some brilliant skills and development from training.

A slow start, a strong comeback and a point on the road — not a bad Saturday morning after all!

🎅🏼 Christmas countdown: 96 days…
🏑 Final score: Pocklington 2–2 Slazenger Ladies 1s

Player: amelia
Tart: frankie

Match Report

It was less “winter sport” and more “summer series” as Slaz Ladies 1s welcomed Leeds W4s on a glorious, slightly suspiciously warm afternoon. The sun was shining, temperatures were high and by full-time a few players were looking less match-ready and more freshly laminated after catching a bit too much sun.

Slaz arrived with a strong squad and started the game brightly, enjoying plenty of possession in the first half and moving the ball well across the pitch. There were some lovely transfers around the back — exactly what we like to see — while the defence communicated brilliantly when picking up runners and keeping things organised. Erin was calling the shots from the back, keeping everyone switched on inside the D.

At the other end, Slaz managed to win more short corners than we would perhaps like to put into writing… particularly given that absolutely none of them found the back of the net. Plenty of opportunities, plenty of ideas, just missing that final touch.

Unfortunately, Leeds made the most of some scrappy play inside the Slaz D to bundle the ball home and take the lead. A second followed after a break in play, with Erin doing everything she could to close down the space, but Leeds managed to squeeze it past her to send Slaz into half-time 2–0 down.

But if there's one thing Slaz don't do, it's pack up and go home early.

The effort levels stayed high, with Frankie putting in an unbelievable shift and Amelia and Melissa causing problems with some brilliant runs and individual skill. All three were more than worthy of the player-of-the-match votes they picked up. The second half started much like the first — with Slaz winning yet more short corners. Eventually, though, the pressure told. Emma stepped up at the top of the D and absolutely leathered one goalward, with a deflection taking it past the keeper to finally get Slaz on the scoreboard.

2–1. Game on.

Not long afterwards, Lou got on the end of some great open play to bring Slaz level at 2–2, and suddenly the momentum had completely shifted. The forwards kept running, pressing and causing chaos, with Rebecca eventually being completely wiped out by Leeds inside the D. Penalty stroke. Up stepped Lou. Pressure? What pressure? She sent it top bins to complete the comeback and put Slaz 3–2 ahead. Up the Trin.

From there, Slaz had to show a different side of their game — keeping possession, staying organised and managing the closing stages. The final whistle confirmed a brilliant 3–2 comeback win, showing plenty of character after going two goals behind. Player of the Match: Melissa, for some fantastic running, skill and relentless work throughout the game.

Next up: Lindum.

And then, once the hockey duties are done, attention turns to another rather important fixture… Wakey in the Super League Grand Final. 👀🏉

Perhaps the comeback spirit is already rubbing off. Up the Slaz 💚🤍❤️. Up the Trin 💙🤍❤️

Match Report

Another glorious sunny Saturday saw the Ladies 1s make the absolute mammoth journey over to Lindum — a trip made even better by the long-awaited return of Hannah Field following maternity leave! 🥳🏑 Slaz came out firing and were aggressive from the first whistle. It took just five minutes for Coops to find the back of the net, following some genuinely lovely hockey. A transfer round the back opened up the right-hand side before Frankie produced some unreal play, driving the ball down the baseline and into the D before picking out Coops, who calmly slotted it home. 1–0 Slaz. Coops’ instructions in the team talk had been simple: start, score, then you can sub off.

Job done in five minutes. ✅

The game became increasingly physical, with both sides battling hard, and Lindum started to build some momentum by catching Slaz on the break. Kez, Millie and Melissa worked tirelessly throughout, battling to win balls back and making sure Lindum never had an easy ride through the middle of the pitch. Amelia also continued to show just how good she is becoming in midfield, looking composed on the ball, linking play and seemingly popping up everywhere she was needed.

It wasn’t long before another chance came our way. Ruth worked the ball brilliantly down the right before firing a cross towards Zoe on the penalty spot, who found the goal… only for it to be ruled out for obstruction.

At the other end, there was some excellent defensive work from Slaz, with strong communication when marking and picking up players. Emma and Nicci worked tirelessly at the back to deny Lindum any clear opportunities.

The remainder of the first half passed relatively drama-free… until Frankie took a ball straight to the thumb. 😬 Her main concern appeared to be less about the thumb itself and more whether she could make it to A&E, get it checked, and still be back in time to watch Wakefield Trinity later.

Half-time arrived with Slaz still 1–0 up, and after a lucky stroke of baby Spencer’s head, we headed back out ready for another strong half. 👶🍀

Lindum created some really good opportunities after the restart, but the Slaz defence continued to stand firm. Becca and Bella were excellent at clearing the lines and putting in some strong tackles, while Nicci developed a slightly terrifying habit of deflecting shots just wide of the goal — presumably to make sure Lauren stayed awake between the posts. Whilst also testing out Bella’s reflexes with an unbelievable goal line pick in the air to keep it 1-0 to Slaz. Huge moment. 👏. A great game for Lauren keeping a clean sheet.

With around ten minutes remaining, the message was simple: play smart hockey, keep possession and see the game out.

And then something truly remarkable happened.

For approximately 30 seconds, the hockey gods shone down upon Zoe.

Not only did she beat one player…

She beat TWO.

Everyone was shocked.

Zoe included.

Nobody knows where it came from. Nobody knows whether it will ever happen again. But those who witnessed it will remember it. ✨

From there, Slaz kept their heads, worked hard for one another and managed the closing stages to secure a hard-fought 1–0 win on the road.

Player votes were shared between Nicci and Ruth after two massive performances — Ruth causing problems going forward and Nicci putting in a huge shift at the back.

Unfortunately for Nicci, her afternoon didn’t end there…

Tart also went to Nicci. The reason? Probably best we don’t put that one on the internet. 👀🚑

Three points, a clean sheet, and Wakey Trinity are the super league grand final champions ❤️🤍💙

Worth the mammoth journey after all. 💚🏑

Match Report

A great 3–1 win for the Ladies 1s today against a strong and well-organised Chesterfield side!

Chesterfield had some key players in the middle and looked dangerous down their right-hand side. It took Slaz a little while to settle into the game, but we soon found our feet and got the first goal. Credit to Frankie Tyrell, whose short-corner effort took a deflection and found the back of the net! 💥 The defence worked well with some great transfers around the back to open up space, while Erin was commanding in goal and made some great saves when called upon. Slaz went into half-time with a 1–0 lead.

Following a strong team talk, Slaz came out in the second half with the press stronger than ever, cutting off Chesterfield’s options and winning high balls to create counter-attacking opportunities.

Chesterfield did equalise early in the second half to make it 1–1, reminding us of the importance of picking up and marking players as they flooded the D. Shortly afterwards, Hannah Field picked up her second green card of the season! 💚

Slaz responded well, and a short corner provided the opportunity for Emma to absolutely cream the ball from the top of the D to put us back in front at 2–1! 🚀

With just minutes remaining, Ruth picked up the ball around the halfway line and ran her little legs off down the sideline before finding Frankie in the top-right corner. Frankie then found Hannah in the D, who fired the ball top bins to seal the 3–1 win! 🔥

🏆 Player of the Match: Zoe for all the running she put in today — surely more than 4.5km! She also picked up the Tart Award for using a bib to dry herself after her shower, having forgotten her towel. 😂

A solid team performance and three well-earned points for Slaz!

Up the Slaz! 💚🤍❤️