Mens 1st XI

Match Report

In unseasonably warm weather, Slaz Mens 1s travelled to local rivals Wakefield for their final game of the season.

Slaz started the game compact and functional but struggled to build any attacks of real significance in the early passages. As they became used to the bouncy pitch, they grew into the game and won a number of short corners, but failed to take advantage.

Unfortunately for Slaz, Wakefield took advantage of a short corner of their own and went into the half-time break 1-0 up.

Despite this, Slaz gathered themselves and started their final half of the season strong, with Isaac Fisher feeding a ball through for Adam Fall to finish first time.

Further chances fell to both sides who both struggled to get a stranglehold on the game. In the end, it would finish 2-2 with the points shared and Slaz finishing in 4th place ahead of their local rivals.

Match Report

Slaz men's 1s hosted Wakefield at home this week, looking to recover from an unlucky result against Chapeltown and get one over on their local rivals.

Slaz started poorly, struggling to string long periods of possession together, but were defensively resolute and didn't concede many chances. Then, as they grew into the game, Joe Minchella made the most of a penalty corner with a drag-flick into the top left corner to put Slaz 1-0 up at the break.

Then, going into the second half, Slaz applied strong and meaningful pressure throughout, resulting in a number of breakaway moves and a first goal in ten years for fullback Robin Brearton.

Finally, Slaz sealed the deal with a third goal well taken by Danny Perry at a short corner to seal a comfortable 3-0 win. Special mentions go to goalkeeper Andy Loftus who made a handful of key saves and notched his third clean sheet of the season.

Match Report

No match report available.

Match Report

Slazenger’s spotlight game against a big local rival, Wakefield, was a neck and neck game, with some fantastic hockey played. The game started off well with Slazenger’s having the majority possession, and a few good opportunities early on. Against a run of play, Wakefield won a corner, scoring with a drag flick. Slazenger’s quickly responded with Richard Tuddenham scoring the equaliser.

Slazenger’s then went 2-1 up with Danny Perry dribbling it round the goalkeeper and an effortless tap in. Wakefield equalised shortly after with a deflection, then added a 3rd, leaving it 3-2 at half time. The second half promised more excitement but ended in disappoint with a 5-3 win to Wakefield.

Match Report

No match report available.

Match Report

A depleted Slazenger side, missing 5 of its first string hosted local rivals Wakefield 2nd's for the first leg of the local derby fixture. Unfortunately, the men's 1st's lost 5-0 to the visitors.

Match Report

SLAZENGERS LOST AGAINST RUN OF PLAY

After coming into the game from a solid win from the previous week away at York. Slazenger’s knew a local derby was going to be a close fought battle, and that it was. After a quick starting match with both teams trying to stamp their mark early, it was the away side who opened the scoring with a scramble in front of goal leading to a tap in. Slazenger became the dominant side in the latter half and got a goal back with a startling run from Paul wiper into the Wakefield’s D and slotting it’s past the Wakefield keeper. Paul wiper then was involved in a very bad stick tackle inside the Wakefield 25 area and awarded a short corner. Slazenger capitalised on with a good routine scored from Captain James Swindon, taking the lead on half time. The 2nd half was end to end from both sides, with some competitive hacking and various cards of green and yellow issued to dirty Wakefield, but as Slazenger’s missed chance after chance to put the game to bed it was Wakefield who took their only few chances to win the match 3-2. Mark Swindon had a good game but Paul wiper sneaks man of the match this week with after is involvement in both goals.

Player ratings
Andrew Loftus – 4 – glass back leaks again
Jonny white – 6- could do better for going on a diet
Mark Swindon – 8- Did is own job and kept out of my way.
Jimmy Swindon -7- Should be a 10
Chris Gascoigne-5-your warming up doesn’t show in the game
Paul wiper -10- just no words
Adam drake -7- over weight
Dan perry -8- good game this week
Ben jackson-5-put your dummy in
Simon Chamberlin- 5- ok for a super vet
Alex Stacey -6- no goals this week
Joe minch-6- ok
Ben Stephens-6- average

Match Report

The firsts were home to Wakefield 2nds last week. In the away leg before Christmas Slazenger suffered at the hands of a very strong Sunday squad. Last weekend’s game seemed to be a little more balanced.

Both teams came out as you might expect looking to secure the bragging rights, Loftus in particular responded by making some great saves inside the first 20 minutes to keep Slazenger in the game. By the second half it appeared that the Wakefield ego was struggling to understand why they were not walking away with the game. They dealt with that fact maturely by having a succession of players sent off for wittering like toddlers. This only strengthened the Slazenger resolve, and Tuddenham’s arm as he blasted home the equaliser with minutes left on the clock. Final score 2 each, goals to Perry and Tuddenham.

Match Report

Sunday was a rearranged fixture against Wakefield’s First/Second Team. Slazenger got off to a poor start as two defensive errors gifted Wakefield two early goals.

Slazenger did manage to pull a goal back through a Tuddenham short corner however this was subsequently disallowed as the Wakefield umpire on the halfway line wanted to protect Wakefield’s clean sheet. Slazenger kept battling to the end but truth be told the Wakefield side was too strong, they put a 3rd goal past Loftus in the second half to put the game out of reach.  

Match Report

After a great win two weeks ago against top of the league Harrogate the universe seemed set on re-establishing equilibrium last week. Slazenger’s first eleven were away to Wakefield last weekend in what turned out to be ‘one of those games’. Short a few key players, and apparently much interest in the fixture, Slazenger took to the field 10 minutes after Wakefield started warming up. Sure enough shortly following the whistle Slazenger where behind by 2 due to some pretty terrible defending.

By half time Wakefield’s youth had extended that lead to 5 and Slazenger were well and truly out of it by all measures. The second half brought a little more spirit from Slazenger – 1 goal from Gunning and 1 early shower for Wiper. However both of these squirts of appeal did little to dispel what was otherwise a flatfooted pedestrian performance from the firsts. Final score 1 – 6.

Match Report

The firsts were at home to Wakefield last week and were keen to put into practise some of the new training routines they’d been working on. Whilst Slazenger didn’t get off to a great start, going one down in the first 5 minutes, the game looked very evenly balanced. Goals were traded and with 45 minutes gone the game was anyone’s at two apiece.

Slazenger battled well however in the final third of the game Wakefield’s youth was the deciding factor on the older Slazenger team. Final score 2 – 4; Goals from Richard Tuddenham and Harry Gunning.

Match Report

No match report available.

Match Report

Alec Gilston hit a hat-trick for Slazenger to sink neighbours Wakefield 3-1.

Jonny Wiper was Slazenger’s other star performer with some excellent right-wing play. The winning finish in this friendly was the icing on the cake to an outstanding season for Yorkshire League 2 Champions Slazenger.

Match Report

Slazenger came out on top overall in a three match friendly meeting with neighbours Wakefield.

The first teams drew 2-2. Slazenger second string beat Wakefield thirds 3-2 and Slazenger third XI came out 4-2 victors from their clash with Wakefield fourths.

Slazenger's determination thwarted Wakefield's skilful attacking moves in the premier fixture of the three, but it was Wakefield who went ahead before the break with a goal from a short corner.

Nick Webb equalised and Butel levelled a second time after great work by Wiper, man of the match Kaye and Butel in the build-up.

Match Report

Slazenger Triumph in derby but star Croucher sent off

After dominating three-quarters of their Yorkshire League 2 clash with derby rivals Wakefield and winning 3-2, Slazenger could well rue an ill-disciplined final 15 minutes when they conceded two goals and had influential mid-fielder Neil Croucher red carded.

Croucher is not suspended until the end of the season - and will miss Saturday's promotion decider with second-placed Gainsborough Roses.

Slazenger played with confidence throughout the first half but were closed down well by Wakefield. Webb broke then pulled the ball back for Wiper to flick in the opening goal.

And with less than five minutes of the second half, Slazenger doubled their tally with a free-hit close to the D, Bob Wood creeping up from left half to convert at the back post.

Man of the match Wood completing Slazenger's scoring.

But Slazenger lost the plot in the final 15 and allowed Wakefield back into it. Croucher was sent off for contesting an umpiring decision.

Match Report

Midfield mastery key to Slazenger derby triumph

Neighbours Slazenger and Wakefield used the mid-season hockey break to play a series of friendlies down the gradings at the end of which, higher-league Wakefield came off second best.

Slazenger’s first team defeated their College Grove counterparts 3-1. Slazenger made the cross-city journey with a depleted line-up but one that was certainly up for the promised physical contest.

Slazenger failed to turn early pressure into goals, but with only seconds of the first half remaining, Marcus Taylor and David Kaye paved the way in midfield for Scott Croucher to make the most of a gap created by forward Mark Butel and Andy Forman.

Slazenger forced several goal-mouth chances in the second half before scoring a second through Forman. Butel wrapped things up for ten man Slazenger with Wakefield putting away a consolation goal moments from the death through Clem Gregory.

Match Report

High-flying Slazenger win derby

High flying Slazenger defeated Wakefield II 4-3 in their Yorkshire League division two derby clash.

Slazenger began confidently and scored in the opening minute through Andy Forman after Mark Butel’s shot had only been parried. Although Wakefield were unable to mount many-attacks, they managed to reach half time without conceding any further goals as Slazenger failed to create any clear-cut chances.

As the second half opened, Wakefield carelessly lost possession and were punished by losing a second goal, when midfielder Neil Croucher popped up at the far post to knock in a great cross from Forman after Croucher had sprinted the length of the field to round off the move of the game.

Thereafter, the home side showed why they are top of the league. Amesbury broke down the right passed to Webb and he found Croucher who scored his second. Butel won a penalty flick and Jonathan Wiper stepped up to flick the ball past the ‘keeper.

With Slazenger relaxing, back came Wakefield with three goals in the last five minutes. Peter Howarth blasted home his debut goal for Wakefield and the fight back was continued by Ian Craig and Gary Town, who both scored from close range, but sadly for Wakefield time ran out before they could equalise.

The result leaves Slazenger top of the table, with Wakefield languishing in the relegation zone. Saturday sees Slazenger entertain Gainsborough Roses in Yorkshire division 2, push back 1.30pm.

Match Report

Slazenger tumble to derby foes

Slazenger faced an unbeaten Wakefield and succumbed to early pressure when the Grover's man-of-the-match, Dick Owen-Smith scored with a superb drive from their first short corner. Slazenger tried to get back into the game but Wakefield continued to make good progress and an incisive move gave Steele the chance to increase the Grover's lead. Siddall proved to be a lively customer and produced several teasing crosses but Slazenger were unable to profit from his efforts.

Slazenger made better progress in the second half after a series of positional changes, but Wakefield dominated the midfield where Rayner and Leighton were commanding figures. And it was a Leighton who netted the third goals.

Foreman and Croucher counter-attacked well for Slazenger but Wakefield defenced resolutely with Bunney and Owen-Smith in excellent form. Matthew Green had an excellent game for Slazenger