Mens 2nd XI

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

Slazengers Men’s 2nds returned to Chesterfield for the second time in a matter of weeks, this time taking on their second team in the same league — and left with considerably more breathing room than the narrow 5–4 victory over their firsts a fortnight prior.

The game opened as a tense affair, with Chesterfield matching Slazengers early on and the scores level at 1–1 after an early Slazengers goal, only for the hosts to equalise. From that point, however, Slazengers took firm control and never looked back, pressing well and producing some slick combination play that repeatedly cut through a tiring Chesterfield defence.

A hat-trick from Richard Tuddenham — completed early in the second half — along with goals from Jimmy Swinden, Jack Sumner, and Aleks Thompson sealed a convincing 6–1 victory.

Match Report

The 2nd's hosted Chesterfield 2nd's on Saturday. The team played some of their best hockey of the season, ultimately coming away with a well earned victory. Slaz started brightly, even in the challenging storm conditions, and moved the ball around quickly. Chesterfield were caught on the break, as slaz caused trouble in their final quarter, winning several penalty corners on the bounce. After several fluffed opportunities, Jack Lee converted with a well taken drag flick to put the team 1-0 ahead and settle nerves. The team continued to press, but Chesterfield settled and broke down the opportunities which Slazenger created.

After the break, the game was again well matched, but with Slazenger having the majority of possession. A further well worked penalty corner move was finished by Jack Lee, to put the team 2-0 ahead, but the game wasn't over yet. Chesterfield fought back into contention and scored to close the gap. With an injured James Swinden at the heart of midfield, the team had to reorganise, putting pressure on the home side. However, James Stevenson continued to cause Chesterfield trouble on the right wing. When an aerial was thrown from Adam Drake at the back, it found Ian Hedges in the middle, who played Stevenson into space, to neatly beat the keeper. The third goal put clear water between the two sides, but even then Slaz had to resist a last minute fight back to take the win. The result takes the 2nds up to 7th, setting up next weeks encounter with 6th place Rotherham 2nd's.

Match Report

Slazenger travelled to Chesterfield for their first visit to the derbyshire side. After the slow start last week, Slaz were keen to get back on the front foot. From the start, the visitors were the more aggressive, moving the ball and putting pressure on Chesterfield.

Slaz wrapped up 2 penalty corners early on for Richard Tuddenham to convert putting the team 2-0 ahead. A third flowing move saw Jack Sumner convert at the back post to put the side 3-0 at the break.

The second half showed Slaz had learned from earlier games, and continued to keep the pressure on. Chesterfield brought more pressure from the start, and made it hard to play the ball out from the back. However, once the team had beaten the high press, there was space in the back to move the ball around and create scoring chances.

This was rewarded by multiple goal scorers through the second half. Lucas Smith was rewarded from a strong solo effort, lobbing the ball over the keeper. Keith Leonard's penalty corner drag flick was clean into the top corner leaving the goalie no chance. Ben Graham's strike was low into the bottom right corner from a penalty corner routine. James Swinden scored and Jack Sumner took a second to put the side 8-0 ahead. Unfortunately, Chesterfield were able to net a consolation goal in the dying minutes denying James Walker his clean sheet.

Slazenger cement their third place in the league, and look to a real challenge when they host 2nd place Brigg next week.

Match Report

No match report available.