Slazenger Mens 1st’s met fellow title chasers Old Malton in an important promotion game. Unfortunately they went down 4-1 to a well drilled if physical Old Malton side.
Slaz started well, with some flowing passing and high workrate. However, this fell away after 10 minutes and the teams looked closely matched. Slaz pressed on occasion, but the visitors was just as dangerous on the break. Slaz scored first, with an individual effort from man of the match Mark Swinden carrying the ball haf the length of the pitch and scoring.
However, Old Malton fought back with some co-ordinated passing and fast attacking to score the equaliser and a further goal to put them ahead in the first half. Slaz equalised from a short corner by Richard Tuddenham, and continued to fight into the second half. However, Slazenger struggled to get their head in the game, struggling to produce their usual high paced game.
Some individual efforts made inroads into the opposition, however decisions seemed to go against them at every turn. As the home team struggled to gain the upper hand, the visitors scored a further 2 goals to put the game beyond doubt.
Slazenger still sit in second place and promotion. However, Old Malton may still catch them with games still in hand.
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Report: 18-03-2012 – Mens 2nd’s (5) vs. (2) Leeds 5th’s
The second match was a 5-2 win on Sunday home to Leeds 5’s.
The win was a reward for an excellent team performance against a team pushing for promotion. Leeds started the match strongly and were soon ahead, Slaz reacted well and midway through the first half slaz were back level through a goal from Ben Graham.
After the break both teams were pushing for the win and slaz scored twice with goals from Simon Randall and Neil Crouch. Leeds got themselves back into the game with another goal but slaz put the match to bed with a goal from man of the match Byron Dean and Ben Graham scored his second of the match.
Slaz hope to continue their winning form next weekend when they travel to Sheffield University Bankers 7s.
Report: 17-03-2012 – Mens 2nd’s (5) vs. (3) Doncaster 5th’s
The first match was a 5-3 win on Saturday away to Doncaster 5’s.
Slaz went ahead midway through the second half through a well worked goal from Neil Crouch, but Doncaster then scored twice to take the lead.
Just before half time slaz managed to get back on level terms with a goal from man of the match Simon Randall.
Not long after the break slaz were behind again after Doncaster fought back, however a further goal from Neil brought the Horbury side back into contention.
Slaz took the lead again through a second goal from Simon, who then scored his third, slaz’s fifth, to seal the victory.
Report: 17-03-2012 – Mens 3rd’s (4) vs. (2) Chapeltown 4th’s
Slazenger Mens 3rd’s knew that only a win would do, however the last encounter with Chapeltown 4th’s had been a cup match which had ended 4-1 to the opposition. As another team chasing promotion, it was going to be a tough encounter for the Horbury men.
As such a close encounter, it began fast with both teams trying to gain the upper hand . Slaz surged forward and had a couple of early efforts go just wide of the mark. Chapeltown were dangerous on the break, using some swift and accurate passing to make inroads into the defence. However, these were dealt with early on and Slaz soaked up the pressure. Some attacking runs from Ste Roberts in the centre and and Alan Perry put Chapeltown under pressure and it looked as though Slaz were on the ascendancy.
It was shortly after that Slaz scored; a shot was cleared by the keeper, only to fall at the feet of John Toon; mis-hitting the ball which arced over the keepers head a into the net – an incredible first ever goal which left John dumfounded! Slaz continued to pile on the pressure, and secured a second before half time – Jack Mumford flicking the ball past the keeper to give the visitors a 2 goal lead.
At the break, it was Chapeltown who came out with greater intent. With a change in formation, they found a hole in the Slaz midfield, and scored 2 in the opening 10 minutes. It looked as though Slaz may conceded a third, but keeper Ralph Toon pulled off two incredible saves to keep the team in the game. The horbury side regrouped and dug deep. A line ball from Rowan Tejura found winger Ian Hedges, who carried the ball down the wing and, cutting into the D, forced the ball past the keeper to net the third. With this lead, Slaz pressed harder, with increasing incursions into the opposition’s half. A short corner was won by the team and Paul Johnson rifled the ball in from the top of the D with 10 minutes remaining.
Slaz continued to press, with team going close on several occasions; Steve Johnson, and Andy Birkett both missing great opportunities. However, the game ended 4-2.
With 3 games left, Slaz stand 2 games in hand, 5 points behind 2nd place and promotion. The league may well be decided on the last game.
Report: 17-03-2012 – Mens 4th’s (Dev) (0) vs. (1) Rotherham 5th’s
Slazengers final game of the season felt like a training match for the first 15 minutes with lots of time on the ball and no real pressure from the opposition. Consequently Slazengers started brightly and created lots of chances without ever looking likely to score.Time and again possession was either squandered in the final quarter of the pitch or the Rotherham keeper managed to save smartly by smothering the ball on the ground.
As time progressed Rotherham slowly increased the tempo and managed to make the match more competitive. Danny Smith and Harry Bullock worked hard up front pressuring the Rotherham defence into making mistakes but couldn’t find the back of the net. It was against the run of play that Rotherham broke on the counter attack and managed to go in front after some smart work in the penalty area. Half-time score was 1-0 to the opposition.
Second half Slazengers started strongly again and really started to apply pressure with wave after wave of attacking hockey with Matthew Stacey putting some excellent crosses into the penalty area without anyone managing to convert these chances into goals. Rotherham occasionally managed the odd attacking move into the opposition half but these were dealt with by Danny Croxall, James Higgins and Matthew Feather.
Slazengers ended the game practically camped in the Rotherham half but were still thwarted in their attempts to find an equaliser. Final score 1-0 to the opposition.
