Ladies 3rd XI

Match Report

Slazenger 3s played their first league game of the season against a well-drilled York 4s side.

The game started evenly, with both teams holding their own during the opening 10 minutes. Slazenger attacked well and looked dangerous, with Sarah Sykes playing a clever, deep role and helping to create opportunities. However, it was York who took control and capitalised on their chances, going into half-time with a 3–0 lead. The score could have been even greater if it hadn’t been for some awesome saves from returning goalkeeper Gemma Wilson, who kept Slazenger in the game.

Slazenger responded brilliantly in the second half, pulling together and showing great team spirit. There were also two very exciting senior debuts, with juniors Lauren Wood and Izzy Armitage making their first appearances for the senior side. Both fitted seamlessly into the team and made a huge contribution.

Izzy impressed with her skill and pace down the left midfield, while Lauren demonstrated some excellent tackling and distribution, showing that both players are more than ready to make the step up. Defender Nicole Knox also produced a fantastic goal-line save to deny York, but unfortunately York managed to find the net again to extend their lead.

Slazenger continued to battle right until the final whistle. In the closing minutes, a long ball down the right found forward Caro Schofield, who timed her cross perfectly into the circle. Sarah was on hand in her favourite position and made no mistake, finishing confidently to give Slazenger a deserved goal. Final score: Slazenger 3s 1–4 York 4s.

Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take from the game, particularly the strong second-half performance and the impressive senior debuts from Lauren and Izzy. Player of the Match was a very close contest between the two debutants, but Izzy Armitage just edged it to take the prize. A fantastic first senior game!

Match Report

Slazenger’s 3’s welcomed a young Aire Valley 1’s side for a competitive home fixture, with both teams producing an exciting and end-to-end first half. Slazenger started brightly, with Lauren Wood and Beth Buckley looking particularly impressive down the right-hand side. The game was evenly contested, with chances at both ends, but it was Aire Valley who opened the scoring after a penalty stroke was awarded for a Slazenger’s foot on the line. They soon doubled their advantage to take a 2–0 lead.

Slazenger’s refused to let their heads drop and continued to battle. Just before half time, Ellie Page produced a fantastic individual run, carrying the ball almost half the length of the pitch before entering the D and calmly slotting the ball past the keeper. A brilliant piece of skill gave Slazenger’s a deserved lifeline, making the half-time score 2–1.

Slazenger’s carried that momentum into the second half and continued to put Aire Valley under pressure. Katie Knighton produced an excellent save to deny Aire Valley from their second penalty flick, keeping Slazenger’s firmly in the contest.

The next goal came from an unfortunate deflection. The ball came off defender Nicole Knox’s stick, then quickly onto the goalkeeper’s helmet and into the goal. Aire Valley capitalised on the setback and extended their lead to 4–1.

Slazenger’s continued to fight and brought it to 4–2 putting Slazenger’s back within touching distance. The final 15 minutes proved difficult, however, as Aire Valley began to overrun Slazenger’s and added two further goals to make the final score 6–2.

Players of the Match: ⭐ Lauren Wood & Katie Knighton ⭐

Well done to everyone who battled right to the final whistle!

Match Report

Slazengers Ladies 3s made the trip to Ben Rhydding to take on their third team in what proved to be a hard-fought and competitive match.

The game started evenly, with both sides settling into their rhythm. It was Ben Rhydding who found the net first, although Slazengers were unfortunate to see a Ben Rhydding foot go unnoticed in the build-up.

Caro Schofield restarted play and was clearly fired up by the decision. She drove the ball down the pitch to win a long corner, before a fantastic run from defender Beth Buckley saw her receive the ball on the corner flag and deliver it into the D. Schofield was on hand with a first-time strike, finding the backboard to level the score.
Slazengers were playing some good hockey but were coming under increasing pressure from a determined Ben Rhydding side. Katie Knighton made an important save, but the rebound allowed another shot at goal. For the second week running, Nicole Knox was on hand to produce a brilliant goal-line save.

Despite some valiant defensive work from Slazengers, Ben Rhydding managed to find the net three more times before half-time, leaving the score 4-1 at the break.
The second half saw Slazengers side really get ‘stuck in’ and showed plenty of fight across the pitch. Lisa Minchella was impressive as ever, dictating play and helping direct the team.

The partnership between the defenders was clear to see, with Sarah Richtea back where she belongs and the whole defensive unit making crucial tackles, while Knighton continued to make some excellent saves in goal.
Further up the pitch, Courtney Rowley, Evie Mollart and Izzy Armitage all put in a tremendous shift and looked impressive throughout. Rowley drove the ball into the D and created the opportunity for a shot on goal, with Schofield finishing the move to score her second of the match.
It proved to be the only goal of the second half, with Slazengers showing real character to keep Ben Rhydding at bay and finish the game 4-2.
Slazengers may not have come away with the result they wanted, but they are clearly gaining momentum every week and should be proud of the performance they put in today.
Player of the Match went to Beth Buckley for her driving runs and solid tackling throughout the game.

Match Report

Slazenger Ladies 3s welcomed Spen Valley to home turf this week for a competitive encounter that saw end-to-end hockey, some fantastic saves and plenty of determination from the home side.

The game got off to a lively start, with both teams working hard to create opportunities. Gemma Wilson’s quick feet and sharp reactions were keeping Slazenger in the game at one end, while Ellie Page’s driving runs up the pitch caused problems for the Spen Valley defence. Ellie came close on several occasions, but the opposition goalkeeper proved difficult to beat, denying her multiple times. Despite Slazenger’ efforts, Spen Valley went into half-time with a two-goal advantage.

In the second half Slazengers kept their shape and made better use of the width, the ladies began to build more pressure and push higher up the pitch in search of a way back into the game.
Their persistence paid off when they were awarded a short corner. Lisa Minchella received the ball, skilfully moved it to the left around a defender and unleashed a superb reverse-stick strike that found the backboard, reducing the deficit and giving Slazengers a well-deserved boost.

Gemma Wilson was once again called into action, producing a series of fantastic saves to keep Slazenger within touching distance. Her outstanding performance earned her the team’s Player of the Match vote. Slazengers continued to press hard in search of an equaliser . However, it wasn’t to be, as Spen Valley finished the game with a flurry of short corners. The Slazengers defence stood firm, successfully defending every one to prevent any further goals.

Although the points escaped them this week, there were plenty of positives to take from the spirited team performance. Next week, Slazenger Ladies 3s travel to face Skipton, where they’ll be looking to build on these positives and secure their first points of the season. Keep going, ladies we can do it!!

Match Report

Slazenger Ladies 3s travelled to Ben Rhydding to take on the experienced Skipton Ladies 1’s. Skipton opened the scoring with a short corner. Goalkeeper Gemma Wilson did brilliantly to dive across and get a touch on the ball, but unfortunately, it still found its way into the corner of the net. Skipton added a second soon after to take a 2-0 lead.

Despite the early setback, Slazenger continued to work hard, with the midfield putting in an impressive shift. Lisa Minchella and Lauren Wood linked up particularly well, breaking down Skipton's attacks and driving play forward. Slazenger were then awarded a penalty flick after an attacking move was stopped on the line by a Skipton foot. Unfortunately, the flick was saved, and Slaz went into half-time trailing 2-0.

The second half saw Slazenger come out with a real belief that they could get back into the game. Their persistence paid off when they won a short corner, with Ellie Page delivering a clean strike that thundered into the backboard to make it 2-1!

With momentum building, Slazenger continued to push for an equaliser and were awarded a second penalty flick after another goal-bound effort was stopped by a Skipton defender's foot, but frustratingly, the second flick was also saved.

Far from letting their missed opportunities get them down, Slazenger raised their game further. The final 15 minutes saw them pile on the pressure, with Page firing dangerous crosses across the D and the team coming agonisingly close to finding the equaliser on several occasions.

As the clock ticked down, Skipton appeared increasingly concerned by Slaz's growing threat and resorted to taking the ball to the attacking corner flag to retain possession during the final three and a half minutes. Slazenger eventually won the ball back and drove forward in search of a late goal, only to narrowly miss the target once again. Skipton subsequently returned to the corner to run down the clock.

While Slazenger were disappointed to see the closing stages unfold this way, they could take real pride in their performance, their resilience and the pressure they put on an experienced opposition. The final whistle confirmed a frustrating 2-1 defeat.

Lauren Wood was deservedly named Player of the Match for her excellent display in midfield, combining skill, speed and determination throughout the game.