Slazenger
vs.
Rotherham 1
All Fixtures
Match Report
Slazenger Men’s 1s travelled to league leaders Rotherham for a midday pushback, fully aware they were in for a tough test. The hosts started brightly, opening the scoring early with a well-executed short corner routine. Momentum stayed with Rotherham as they doubled their lead with a superb strike into the top corner, before adding a third from another training-ground short corner.
Despite the early setback, Slazenger refused to let their heads drop. Their perseverance paid off when Joe Michella fired home a brilliant drag flick to get the visitors on the board. Moments later, Ingham was on hand at the back post to tap in Slazenger’s second, pulling the game back to a far more manageable margin.
At half time, Slazenger regrouped and adjusted their approach, shifting into a deeper press in an effort to regain control and slow Rotherham’s attacking threat. Unfortunately, the second half took a different turn. A succession of questionable decisions from the officials disrupted Slazenger’s rhythm and composure, leading to frustration on the pitch and a lapse in structure.
What followed was a scrappy, disjointed period of play from both sides, with goals continuing to flow in a chaotic end-to-end contest. Despite Slazenger’s determination and continued scoring efforts, Rotherham maintained their advantage, eventually running out 8–4 winners.
A tough result, but plenty of character shown—and positives to carry into next week.
Match Report
Slaz Men's 1s began their season at home against a difficult Rotherham side and, in the opening stretches of the game, showed plenty of promise for the season ahead. Flowing passages of passing play and solid pressing from Slaz meant that they took control towards the start and got a deserved early lead when a slick passing move ended with a dangerous ball across the D met by Isaac Fisher.
A second soon followed as Slaz finally made their steadily growing number of penalties corners pay with a strong finish from Asad Baig. Despite injuries and a late penalty corner goal conceded towards the end of the first half, Slaz had plenty to be happy about as they went into the halftime break 2-1 up. Good play followed in the second half also, with particularly strong performances coming from Man of the Match winner Emmett Fearn - whose passing was reliable and pressing relentless all game - and Joe Minchella, who dominated the full back positions.
Despite good patterns of play persisting, Slaz failed to make the most of their chances and this wastefulness came back to bite them. Poor discipline with cards left Slaz a man down at vital junctures in the game and allowed Rotherham to take a foothold at 2-2. Two late breakaway goals from Rotherham swung the game in their favour and Slaz will have to work on defensive discipline as the season progresses if they have ambitions of heading towards the top of the table. Nevertheless, this was an extremely promising start to the season that Slaz will look to build on in coming weeks.
Squad
Match Report
The men's 1st's hosted Rotherham for an end to end encounter, which ultimately saw Rotherham take the points. Slaz shared possession, but it was Rotherham who were more clinical in the face of goal. At the other end, the Rotherham keeper kept the visitors in the match and ultimately gave them the points. Slazenger travel to Chesterfield, looking to get back to winning ways.
Match Report
Slazenger's Men's 1s travelled to Rotherham for an early game on Saturday with hopes of taking away three points.
Slaz started well and the strong drag-flicking of Jermaine Cockerill led to Slazengers taking a deserved early lead through a penalty flick converted by Danny Perry.
However, despite taking an early lead, Slazenger couldn’t maintain momentum in the game and quickly conceded a couple of cheap goals. Heading into the halftime break, Slaz found themselves 2-1 down.
In the second half, Slaz gained a greater foothold in the game, finally holding onto possession for longer passages and returning to the style of play they look best playing. Rewards duly followed, with a smart finish from Christopher Gascoigne and a second goal from Danny Perry sandwiching a Rotherham goal against the run of play.
Heading into the final moments at 3-3, the game was set to be anyones to win. Unfortunately, Slaz couldn’t keep out a good finish from a well-worked Rotherham set piece.
Slazengers can take positives from some good passages of play in the second half but need to commit more consistently to playing passing hockey if they are to return to the top end of the table by the season’s close.
The final score was 4-3 to Rotherham.
Special mentions go to Robin Brearton, Adam Fall and Jermane Cockerill for man-of-the-match worthy performances and Alex Garlick for his strongest showing of the season so far at his new club.
Match Report
No match report available.
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Squad
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Squad
FG
Match Report
Men's 1sts travelled to local rivals Rotherham 1st's for a well contest game. Slazenger were missing centre forward Tuddenham, and so the goal scoring fell to Danny Perry to net 2 goals. However, Rotherham were the stronger team on the day, taking their chances and securing a 3-2 win.
Match Report
Men's 1st.'s beat Rotherham 1st's at home 9-1. A usual well battled encounter was run out by the home side in strong form.
Goals from Mark Swinden (2), Jimmy Swinden (2), Richard Tuddenham (1), Owen Smith (1), Will Gascoigne (1), Danny Perry (1), Ben Jackson (1)
Match Report
Looking to regain a little self-esteem Slazenger first eleven took to the field of dreams against Rotherham last weekend. It was a slow start from Slazenger, may be the chilling wind was affecting muscles, or may be they were missing Wiper’s engine in the middle. Despite the lethargic opening Slazenger were first to score with a well worked team goal knocked in by Chilton or Gascoigne. However this seemed to wake Rotherham up too who immediately countered with 2 goals in ten minutes. With minutes left in the first half Birkett sent a defence splitting areal into the Rotherham circle, for man of the match Perry to rifle home a peach of a goal and bring the game level going into halftime.
The second half exhibited more energy and determination from Slazenger. Some great team play across the middle between M Swinden, Perry, Gunning and Chilton was a joy to watch. It appeared to be Slazenger’s game for the taking until the neutral Rotherham umpires awarded a flick to the Rotherham Centre Forward for running into keeper Loftus. Now behind by one, and determined not to lose the game, Slazenger stepped up the pressure again. In the final minutes of the game Slazenger were all over Rotherham, during this phase several short corners were squandered by Slazenger. However after a quiet game Tuddenham was to have the last say when he found the back of the net to level the game and secure a well earnt point for Slazenger.
Match Report
The men’s firsts were away at Rotherham last week. Slazenger Rotherham games are usually well contested affairs, but with a bare eleven the firsts had their work cut out! On the plus side Rotherham HC have now completed their pitch side facilities so Slaz stood a better chance of keeping their bare eleven all on the pitch.
The absence of a few key individuals provided Slazenger with an opportunity to test players in different positions and make some call ups. Ben Stevenson & Ben Jackson both responded well to the changes and started the game positively as did regulars Swindon, Wiper & Gunning across the middle. Surprisingly the game was a proving to be a positive exhibition of team play for both sides, and whilst at half time Rotherham were ahead by one it was anyone’s game.
The second half continued in much the same way and despite two goals from Tuddenham and a stand out man of the match performance from keeper Loftus, Rotherham manged to hold their one goal advantage to take the game. Final score 2 -3.
Match Report
Slaz 1s resumed their bitter rivalry with Rotherham who they hosted in a top of the table clash with the home side looking for revenge after an early season defeat which featured the now infamous wee-gate incident. Missing star winger Danny Perry due to a badly scheduled spray tan and ageing squad filler Maff Birkett, Slazengers recalled portly Mars Bar sales man Phil Midgley from the Valley.
Slaz, for once, started well controlling possession against their monosyllabic opposition until an innocuous aerial ball over the top was left by the Slaz keeper, Andy Loftus, due to an ill-judged call from Midgley. Inevitably the ball rebounded off the post for an easy finish by the Rotherham striker past the flailing Loftus. A rattled Slazenger were quickly two down before Richard Tuddenham converted a short corner from a well worn routine. Rotherham hit back with a short corner goal of their own before Tuddenham doubled his tally to leave it a 3-2 at the break.
Down but not out, Slaz began the second half with vigour and Tuddingham drew Slaz level. However Rotherham showed that their top of the league position is not purely down to the helpful umpiring that they receive in home games and quickly scored two scrappy goals. 5-3 down with time running out it was time to stand up, with youngster Chilton, Gascoigne, Dunston and Gunning battling well, the later gave Slaz hope with a wonderful reverse stick finish. Slaz, now dominant, brought the home crowd to their feet with Tuddenham tucking home from Mark Swinden’s powerful cross. 5-5 it finished as Rotherum trudged off with many of their players refusing to acknowledge the umpires or their morally superior opposition.
With these teams still where they began the day in the promotion positions in Yorkshire Division 1 we are left to wonder whether this rivalry will be resumed next season in the Yorkshire Premier league and whether Slaz want to.
Match Report
It would be fair to say that elements of Slazenger’s men’s first eleven have had a relaxing summer this year. Add to this a pretty informal set of pre-season friendly’s, and the competitive opening of the 2017/18 season was always going to be an uphill affair.
The firsts were away to old friends Rotherham at their freshly re-laid Arora pitch. Fresh however would not be a pertinent adjective to describe the first phase of the game for Slazenger. Some lacklustre defensive play allowed Rotherham to capitalise on well-practiced routines that put them three goals up within ten minutes. A little shell shocked Slazenger made a quick call to adjust the formation, it appeared to work, Slazenger pulled one back.
By half time the Firsts had put a couple past the Rotherham keeper and the game was starting to look a little more balanced. That was until Mark Swindon was sent off during half time by Rotherham’s familiar 4th official for answering the call of nature.
Determined not to be affected by this odd set of events Slazenger actually came out strong in the second half. A couple of ‘sitters’ went begging for Danny Perry and Chris Gascoigne, but other than this the teams traded goal for goal for the next 35 minutes of what most have been a great spectator half of hockey!
There were strong performances from Harry Gunning and the Swindon brothers, but In the end Slazenger were unable to pull back the deficit put in place during the first ten minutes of the game. The final score was Slaz First’s 6 Rotherham 9.
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Squad
No squad recorded.
Match Report
No match report available.
Squad
No squad recorded.
Match Report
No match report available.
Squad
Match Report
After last weeks thriller against top of league to win 5-4 Slaz were keen to give the promotion battle a good fight and wanted 3 points off second in league Rotherham.
Rotherham as expected came out guns blazing and quickly stamped their physical presence on the game. Slaz were able to buffer it and hit Rotherham on the break, but Rotherham scored first. Great saves from Keeper Ralph Toon kept slaz in the game and earned him man of the match.
It was good quick movement by both sides, with Slaz being able to create several chances. Richard Tuddenham was off form and only managed one goal - yes another miss hit to catch the keeper off guard. Slaz continued to work hard and Mark Swindon and Paul Wiper created the space in midfield to drive at the Rotherham defence. The slaz back 4, Maff Birkett, Johnny White, Adam Drake and Simon Chamberlain had a great game and held Rotherham off to the bitter end.
Match Report
Rotherham were off to a strong start pilling on the pressure gaining several short corners within the first 15 min, showing the 2nd place in the league was for a good reason. But good keeping from Ralph Toon meant that when slaz were able to break out, they equalised the score at one a piece from a well-executed short corner by Richard Tuddenham. Slaz worked hard for 70 minutes and it showed they never lost the drive to get the ball and keep it even when under constant pressure from Rotherham.
Richard Tuddenham scores 4 goals in total and Edward Richardson got the final one, but missed out on a thunderbolt that pinged off the cross bar.
Midfielders Isaac Fisher, Paul Wiper and Adam Drake all kept their work rate high and controlled the midfield. This sets slaz with a good pace to move on a get some more points under their belt.
Squad
Match Report
The men’s 1st team match was an ill tempered game. However, the game started well and didn’t resemble the debacle that followed. Slaz moved into space, gaining ground on Rotherham, but both teams contested well and neither side could get good chances in the D. Each team had long sequences of play, and it looked a close run contest.
The game began to turn uglier tempers continuing to rise, the hockey became scrappier, neither side being able to find the upper hand,
It was Rotherham who scored first, breaking from quickly, and netting after some scrappy defending in the goal mouth. Slaz kept pressing, with several chances going close. Eventually, they equalised with a goal in the second half through man of match Phil Midgley.
The game continued to be locked at 1-1. The game lost its way for both sides, and neither capitalised on their chances, finishing one all.
Squad
No squad recorded.
Match Report
No match report available.
Match Report
Slaz were under pressure from the start with Rotherham closing down the Slaz defence. With the use of the new rule Slaz were able to release the Slaz attackers with the ball fired over the top of the Rotherham high press.
Slaz settled in and created some good passing and counter attacks. Slaz opened the scoring with Isaac Fisher picking the first goal on the far post from a drilled in ball by Simon Chamberlain. Man of the Match Matt Middleton had a good game in midfield.
Rotherham came back into the game and slotted two goals in to take the lead. Slaz continued to pressure Rotherham and Dan Perry had a great game attacking round the back of the defence creating good chances to score, but Slaz were unable to locate the back of the goal.
Rotherham increased their lead with another 2 goals due to some lapses in the Slaz formation. Slaz got another late goal from Phil Midgley but were unable to capitalise on the chances. Next weeks game against Adel at home. Score 4-2
Match Report
Slazenger’s winning run came to an end as they went down 7-4 to a strong Rotherham outfit.
Slazenger’s goalscorers were Kevin Windler, a fine hat trick and Mark Swallow.
On Saturday, Slazenger start their league campaign with the visit of Bradford 1.30pm start.
Match Report
Slazenger hit by late goals surge
Slazenger went into this friendly with division one pace-setters Rotherham on the back of four encouraging results over the Christmas and New Year period. And while the 4-1 score line suggests an easy victory for Rotherham. Slazenger can feel pleased with an excellent team effort, particularly as they trailed by just a single goal with five minutes remaining. After a slow and tentative start and going a goal down after three minutes, Slazenger hauled themselves back into the game and showed signs of their improved form of recent weeks. Resolute defending and an eagerness to pass the ball were key factors in the Slazenger game plan. Despite admirable defending, however, from the likes of sweeper Simon Hurley and 'keeper Dave Hellam, Slazenger looked vulnerable to Rotherham's well-rehearsed short corner routine, which threw up the second goal.
Slazenger bounced back from the set back with evergreen Martin Lofthouse a tower of strength at centre-half and youngsters Jon Wiper and Neil Croucher linking well down the right flank. The tide continued to turn after the break and Tony Sidwell poached a rare goal to cut the deficit. Rotherham were showing signs of unrest, only the cool head of the home 'keeper staving off a shock Slazenger recovery. And in the dying moments Slazenger could do nothing to stop Rotherham's short corner team netting two more goals.
Match Report
A four-nil score line fails to convey Slazenger’s creditable second-half performance against superior first division opposition whose one outstanding talent was the ability to put away the short corner. All four of Rotherham’s goals came from the same play – the short corner - while Slazenger struggled to take full advantage of their corner chances. Late arrivals disrupted Slazenger’s line-up and Rotherham took full advantage to grab three goals in 20 minutes.
Late-comers Andy Town and Dominic Luck brought Slazenger back to full strength and gradually the visitors redressed the balance in terms of possession if not in points scored. The second half was evenly contested with James Forde and Graham Parker outstanding for Slazenger, whose overall performance was encouraging. However, the visitors were not as creative with the short corner and failed to register a goal, while Rotherham hammered home a fourth in the dying minutes.
