YNE Peak & Wold Open - Men's Division 1 (2026)
Match Report
Slazenger men’s 2nd team started their league campaign away at Chesterfield 2’s on Saturday. Slazenger were missing a number of key squad members and their usual slow start to the season allowed Chesterfield to take the lead midway through the first half. Slazenger play improved and although they created a number of chances, they were unable to find an equaliser in the first half.
The second half was a different story however firstly with an equaliser from Paul Wiper and a second from Jack Lee allowing Slazenger to end up on the right side of a 2-1 score line.
Dan Bailey and Jez Whawell both impressed when stepping up from the 3’s with Owen Wiper and Owen Coughtrey taking joint man of the match award.
Match Report
The mens 2’s had their first home game of the season on Saturday coming away with a solid 3-1 victory against Rotherham. The customary slow start allowed Rotherham to take an early lead but an equaliser was quickly found, Jimmy Swindon converting a short corner. Slaz continued to press resulting in another short corner. This time Swindon’s flick was saved bravely on the line by a defender. Unfortunately he used his face to make the save resulting in a penalty stroke. The Rotherham keeper stood firm however making the save taking us into the half at 1-1.
Slaz pressed in the second half creating a number of chances. The breakthrough came midway through the half when Ben Graham deflected a strike past the keeper. A goal that extends his remarkable goal scoring streak to 31 consecutive seasons. Owen Wiper capped a man of the match performance with a well taken goal to put the result beyond doubt. Slaz will travel to local rivals Wakefield on Saturday looking to build on a good start to the season.
Squad
Match Report
Slazenger men’s 2’s made the short journey to local rivals Wakefield on Saturday and weren’t surprised to find a tougher opposition than the opening weeks of the season. Wakefield’s midfield 3 controlled the game in the opening stages with Slazenger struggling to get a foothold. Wakefield took the lead midway through the first half when a mis-hit penalty corner found its way in. Slazenger started to find their feet a bit and began to create problems for Wakefield but were unable to find an equaliser before half time.
A strong half time team talk had Slazenger out for the second half with a renewed belief. Jimmy Swindon, Ste Roberts and Will Buckley started to win the midfield battle, the defence held strong and the work rate on the top line started causing problems for the Wakefield defence. Slazenger created a number of chances with the breakthrough finally coming when the ball was nicked from a Wakefield defender, eventually falling to Owen Coughtrey to net the equaliser. Slazenger continue to press and on another day could have found a winner however it wasn’t meant to be, the game ending 1-1. Coughtrey took the man of the match award following a strong display throughout.
Match Report
Slazenger 2nd's hosted Brigg 2nd's in what has been a traditionally close fought battle between the two sides. However it was the hosts who ran out comfortable 5-0 winners.
With the preceding game cancelled, there was a reasonable amount of time to allow the aging 2nds time to warm up. Some even went as far as to claim it was too warm. However, under the unseasonably warm autumn morning, the 2nds got to work. Owen Wiper once again was strong on the right and caused problems on the wing, while Ste Roberts Ben Graham and James Swinden provided a solid midfield against any Brigg threats. Ben Graham was the first to draw blood with a well taken strike into the bottom corner and quickly followed it up with the daintiest of deflections to beat the keeper and put Slazenger 2-0 to the good. Brigg battled hard, and their keeper produced a series of strong saves to keep the game locked at 2-0 at the break.
The second half was another display of strong progressive passing hockey from Slazenger, which gave plenty of attacking changes. However Brigg defended well and limited the number of chances to convert the possession.
Jack Sumner converted the third from a penalty corner, which opened up a gap with the visitors. Ian Hedges wrapped up the scoring with a brace. The first a thunderous strike which ricochet off the crossbar, and a second short corner strike which somehow found it's way in at the back post.
Another strong game for the seconds, with a clean sheet for goalkeeper James Walker, which moves them to the top of the table. Next week sees Slaz take on Barnsley in a top of the table battle.
