Mens 4th XI

Match Report

Slazenger 4s produced a clinical second-half performance to secure an impressive away victory over Huddersfield Dragons 4s, with John Sykes the standout performer after scoring a superb hat-trick.

The first half was closely contested, with both sides battling hard for control in midfield. Huddersfield Dragons looked to take advantage of home turf, pressing forward and trying to build attacks through the middle, but the Slazenger defence remained well organised and disciplined. At the other end, Slazenger created a few promising opportunities on the break but were unable to convert before the interval. As a result, the teams went into half-time with the score 0–0.

Slazenger came out strongly after the break and wasted little time making their mark. In the 41st minute, Sykes found space in the circle and finished confidently to break the deadlock and give the visitors the lead.

The goal lifted Slazenger, who began to control possession and push Huddersfield back. In the 51st minute, Sykes struck again, finishing a well-worked move to double Slazenger's advantage.

Just a minute later, Sykes completed a memorable hat-trick in the 52nd minute with a spectacular finish. Picking up the ball out wide, he unleashed a powerful strike from range on a tight angle, catching the defence and goalkeeper off guard as the ball flew into the net.

With Slazenger now firmly in control, they continued to apply pressure and were rewarded again in the 62nd minute. The Slazenger captain added a fourth goal, finishing well after sustained attacking play in the Huddersfield circle to put the result beyond doubt.

Huddersfield Dragons continued to battle until the final whistle, but Slazenger remained solid defensively to secure a well-earned clean sheet.

A dominant second-half display, highlighted by John Sykes’ outstanding hat-trick, ensured Slazenger 4s returned home with a convincing and thoroughly deserved victory.

Match Report

No match report available.

Match Report

This weekend the men’s 4s visited Huddersfield dragons 4s in a 4-2 victory. Slazenger dominated from the first push back and pressed constantly leading to an early lead. Just two minutes later we extended the lead with a second goal thanks to some excellent passing. With a 2 goal cushion both teams attempted to alter the balance of the game but neither side could until late in the first half when Huddersfield broke through with a goal from a short corner. A second short corner lead to an equaliser for the hosts before half time.

Slaz 4s showed excellent resilience to fight to restore our lead and managed to earn a penalty flick which was expertly slotted in the top left corner. With confidence and more importantly the lead re-established slaz once again managed to establish a 2 goal cushion before the final whistle. Final score 4-2.

Match Report

The men’s 4s once again started our game with an early goal after just 5 minutes with a second just three minutes later. We then asserted our dominance with two more goal before half time. In the second half the 4s continued to thrive extending our lead to 5 before the visitors managed to deny our clean sheet however another late goal re-established the 5 goal lead. Final score 6-1. Goals from James Stevenson (3), John Sykes (2), Andy Fisher (1)

Match Report

The 4s travelled away to Huddersfield for a late 4.30 pushback full of confidence after defeating Boston Spa the week before. The weather didn’t dampen the boys spirits after getting thoroughly soaked through for the 15 minutes before the match. The stand in Skipper (Meeson) won the toss and decided to take the pushback much to the dismay of the team as the sun had now made an appearance and was shining directly into the teams eyes’.

Slaz started positively, controlling much of the possession and threatening with several balls and runs into the D, however with scuffed and wide shots they couldn’t produce a goal. As the half wore on, Slaz continued their efforts culminating with a shot into the goal from Roo which was deemed to be a backstick and disallowed by the Huddersfield umpires. Half time 0-0.

The second half started and Slaz had a shaky 5 minutes with some misplaced passes and running into contact resulting in some attacks from Huddersfield that were quickly stifled by the Slaz Defence. After that 5 minutes normal service resumed and Slaz continued to create chances. James Walker scored the first goal with a well hit strike from the edge of the D into the bottom left corner of the goal. This was shortly followed up by another well worked team goal, again finished by Moog, that started from the Slazenger defence with the ball worked well all the way up the pitch.

At this point in proceedings the weather was beginning to turn again and with leaves, wind, hail and rain all battering the pitch and the players, the umpires made the decision to halt proceedings for a few minutes while the weather passed, with the Huddersfield captain suggesting they were happy to call it a day and award us the win.

However the weather cleared up quickly and play continued for the last 12 minutes. By this point the age of the Huddersfield team was showing and Slaz were winning key battles through all areas of the pitch especially in the midfield and chances were coming a plenty. New player James R took this time to practice his shooting by hooking a shot well wide narrowly avoiding a few heads. Andy Birkett decided this was his time to get involved and put in a third goal that trickled past the Hudds Keeper (Roo has informed me since they all count and doesn’t matter if it was a keeper error)

Hudds decided they wanted at least a consolation goal and began to attack the Slaz defence winning some short corners and having a few shots on target which made keeper Darren Saxton actually have something to do, other than get soaked. Karl Ashford decided this was his time to contribute to the game with a few back sticks in the Slaz D resulting in more short corners, which resulted in him taking a shot to the wrist. The last action of the game was a short corner to Hudds which was defended strongly by Slaz resulting in a 3-0 win!

Match Report

No match report available.

Match Report

No match report available.

Match Report

No match report available.

Match Report

No match report available.

Match Report

No match report available.

Match Report

Slaz looked to continue their string of impressive performances against Huddersfield who were in a similar league position as Slaz so it looked to be an interesting matchup. This match was also extra special as Slaz legend Tony Walker was celebrating his 50th anniversary of joining Slazengers. A great achievement for such a clubman and was greeted onto the pitch with a guard of honour.

Slaz started well as they threatened through Tom Hoyle, Chris Flavell and Pete Gunning but to no avail. Huddersfield also created pressure but without any real chances thanks to the defence of Tony Walker and Darren Bailey. Slaz managed to get the opener just before the break through Peter Gunning after a great move set up by Alex Jolly and Josh Hujwan. Slaz went in 1-0 up.

The second half was a much more open game as Huddersfield looked to threaten again but the back 4 were playing superb. Going into the last 15 minutes the away side managed to win numerous short corners but thanks to the outstanding keeper Adam Garside, Slaz were able to keep a much deserved clean sheet and win there first match in November after a great game.

Man of the match was tied between Adam Garside and Tony Walker which shows the defensive effort that was put in to get the reward of the clean sheet. On Saturday Slaz travel to Wakefield 7s in a much anticipated Derby match.