Mens 2nd XI

Match Report

Slazenger 2nds travelled down to Meadowhead for their more recent fixture against Sheffield Bankers 4ths. Slaz travelled with a strong side, but when they arrived, it was clear some buckets and spades may have been more valuable than hockey sticks given the depth of sand on the turf.

From the off, Sheffield started on the front foot, more used to the pitch. The generous coating of sand made the pitch slippery, and Sheffield took full advantage of it. Slaz struggled to react to some sharp passing, and Sheffield were several ahead in quick order. Slazenger countered and looked threatening in places, but couldn't find the scoring chances to pull level.

Slazenger's "bomb squad" bench may have had a combined age of nearly 200 years, but the psychological impact of the four man substitution was enough to unbalance Sheffield and Slaz gain the upper hand. Unfortunately they couldn't convert the chances available, and it was only a matter of time before a gentle gust of wind resulted in stalwart Will Buckley's hamstring failing and once again Sheffield had the upper hand. It wasn't for lack of defensive effort, with Matt Green, Adam Drake, and Maff Birkett steadying the ship at the back. By the break, Sheffield had gone 4 ahead, which wasn't ideal, but a strong halftime talk was enough to strengthen the resolve and come out fighting.

Slaz came out stronger, maybe more assured on the shifting sand dunes, winning a short corner which Richard Tuddenham converted. This was quickly followed by a second, again with Tuddenham claiming his second of the game. The passing was sharper and the effort couldn't be faulted. However, Sheffield ran in a 5th goal to keep the gap substantial. Man of the Match James Walker put in an outstanding performance in goal to deny several key chances. In the end however, it wasn't to be. While Slaz won the second half comprehensively, it couldn't overturn the first half deficit. The team looks to get back to winning ways at home next week.

Match Report

Slazengers 2nd XI fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home against Sheffield University Bankers 4th XI, in what was a frustrating afternoon for the hosts. The game started brightly for Slazengers, and when a penalty stroke was awarded midway through the first half, they made no mistake in converting it to take a 1-0 lead. However, the advantage was short-lived as the home side began to unravel. Poor passing and repeated turnovers gifted the visitors possession in dangerous areas, and Sheffield took full advantage, scoring twice to flip the contest on its head.

Despite a late push from Slazengers, including a disallowed goal from a short corner that would have levelled the match, the equaliser never came. The hosts were left to rue their errors in a performance that will be remembered more for what was squandered than what was created. There were, however, a few positives to take. Jack Lee and James Stephenson both put in strong shifts, with Player of the Match deservedly going to James Stephenson, who has impressed since joining the 2nd XI this season. Final score: Slazengers 2nd XI 1–2 Sheffield University Bankers 4th XI.

Match Report

Missing 2 open goals and 6 unconverted penalty corners was the difference between the final scoreline and a far different result. Slaz travelled to Meadowhead for their second fixture of the season depleted; missing Captain Ste Roberts and top goalscorer Richard Tuddenham. The team re-arranged to fill the missing gaps and pressed on, however struggled to find a consistent rhythm. An early missed open goal was perhaps a sign of things to come.

Sheffield scored a first goal after enjoying some pressure, and Slaz tried to respond. The result was a series of penalty corners, but none bore fruit and the team went into halftime 1-0 down. The second half was similar; Sheffield applied a high and fast press, which stifled the Slazenger options. A rebounded shot gave Sheffield a second goal, putting them 2-0 ahead, but not reflective of the game. At the other end, Slaz continued to win penalty corners; Ian Hedges converting one to reduce the deficit. However, with time running out, Sheffield were able to hold on and take all 3 points. Slazenger host Barnsley next week, looking to return to winning form.

Match Report

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Slazenger 2nd's welcomed Sheffield University Bankers 4th’s to their home turf, eager to make a statement with a fresh formation. With Captain Ste Roberts, Jack Mumford, and Ollie Leonard in midfield, the team was warmed up and ready to hit the ground running.

From the start, Slaz applied pressure, looking to start on the front foot. This pressure culminated, when Leonard played a brilliant early ball to Ben Graham, who deftly deflected it past the Sheffield keeper to put Slaz 1-0 up. Sheffield went into the game at the top end of the table, and had brought a strong squad to keep this going. Slazenger’s back line—Matt Birkett, Matt Green, Lucas Smith, and Jack Lee—held strong, with Lee having a strong game at left half and shutting down most of Sheffield’s options.

However, just like the previous week's game, Slazenger's weakness for short corners reared its head again! Sheffield secured two short corners and converted both, despite having limited chances elsewhere. Slazenger created plenty of opportunities but struggled to capitalize in the opposition's 25-meter area. Graham went close again, as did Keith Leonard and Ian Hedges came close with a powerful shot, but the Sheffield keeper pulled off some impressive stick saves to keep the visitors ahead.

With a few minutes left on the clock. Ian Hedges equalised, with a well taken reverse strike into the near post, catching the keeper off guard and leveling the score at 2-2. Slaz look to take this improved form to Barnsley 1st's next weekend.

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Match Report

Slazenger seconds took a huge step towards safety with a hard fought and well deserved victory away at Bankers fourths.

It was always going to be a tough game with Bankers pushing for promotion, but it was Slazenger who wanted it more and pressed straight from the off.

The midfield was working well and with Tim Carr causing problems up front, it wasn't long before the breakthrough came, Carr finishing well after some scrappy defensive play.

The visitors continued to play the better hockey and got their reward towards the end of the half when Ben Graham with a neat reverse stick finish to put Slazenger two up at the break.

Slazenger knew they would have to work hard in the second half and continued to cause Bankers problems.

They were rewarded a penalty flick after an illegal stop on the line by the Bankers defence, only for the keeper to produce an unbelievable save to deny Neil Croucher from the spot.

Bankers began to create chances of their own as the half went on, only to be denied by some fantastic last ditch defensive work, they did pull a goal back to make the last ten minutes interesting.

But Slazenger showed some fantastic fighting spirit to hold on for the win.

Murray Amesbury took the man of the match award for some great defensive play.

Slazenger seconds are still not guaranteed safety, but with one game remaining, their fate is in their own hands.

Match Report

Slazenger seconds produced a much improved performance to take a point off a strong Bankers side and can consider themselves unlucky not to take all three. The game started with bankers in the supremacy creating a number of chances, with keeper Lee Secker keeping Slaz’ in it.

Slaz soon found their feet though and started to create chances of their own, Andy Foreman going close on a couple of occasions. And it was the Slaz’ pressure that paid off, Rich Hutchins turning in a Ben Garside through ball to go in at the break a goal to the good. Bankers started the second half as they did the first, drawing level and then taking a lead somewhat against the run of play.

Slaz soon began to dominate though, Garside running the midfield and Hutchins dominating throughout the field of play. Slaz created a number of chances, drawing level through a subtle Foreman flick and they were unlucky not to grab all three points. This was a strong performance from Slaz seconds, one which they will look to build on next week
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Match Report

Slazenger 2nds had to dig deep for the three points in their 3-2 win over Sheffield University Bankers. Things started brightly for Slazenger when Ben Graham converted a Jonny White cross to give them an early lead.

Sheffield then began to settle and midway through the half they drew level. But Slazenger came beck playing good hockey and Tim Carr finished off a move to take the lead going into the break.

The home side started the second half in the ascendancy and despite Slazenger digging deep the scores were soon level once more. The game then turned into an end to end scrap but it was Slazenger who won it through Carr’s second goal, this one from a tight angle.

Jonny White was the man of the match with Carr and Graham close behind. This result take Slazenger to the top of the table and they will look to consolidate their position next week against Rotherham.