YNE Moor & Dale Open - Men\'s Division 2 (2025)
Match Report
Slazenger travelled away for their first game of the season to the traditionally frigid pitch of Halifax. However it was the opposition who looked frozen in place as the new look team opened up their account with a 3 goal lead before half time. Goals from captain Damian Greig (2) and retuning veteran Tim Carr gave the side a commanding lead.
However, Halifax are rarely beaten so easily, and emerged in the second half with a renewed vigour, shutting Slaz down and creating their own trouble. Slaz conceded two in the second half, but held firm to take the first 3 points of their league campaign.
Match Report
The 3rds hosted visiting team Hull 4ths for a tough and soggy encounter at Southfield Lane. Slazenger scored 2 from Captain Damian Greig, and veteran goal machine Tim Carr. However, Hull were more fluid and angle to capitalise on the possession that they enjoyed. Slaz look to get back to winning ways next week when they travel to City of York 5th's.
Match Report
Slazenger men’s 3’s travelled to York hoping to improve on last weeks result against Hull.
The visitors started well playing the ball confidently around at the back and then using the pace of Seth Hoole and Jack Sanderson out wide to put them in opposition territory. A break against the run of play saw York take the lead, however the Addingford side kept playing with Dan Bailey, who had found his stick and Adrian Buckley winning vital possession and setting the Slaz attacking press. After 20 minutes a well worked short corner routine saw Tim Carr fire the ball high into the York net. The two sides went in on equal terms at half time. The second half was much like the first both teams trading attacks which kept Daz Buttery busy as he pulled off some astounding saves. However, 10 minutes into the half the home side again took the lead as a loose ball was eventually put away.
Undeterred Will Carr and Owen Wiper linked up well as the half progress and the energy and running of Ali Smith put the York defence under pressure. A series of short corners finally paid off as Harry Ashford fired the ball home to level the scores once again. In an evenly matched game it was York who took the lead with 10 minutes to go as a hopeful ball across the D took a deflection off a Slaz stick and into the backboard.
The team in green pushed for a late equaliser but just couldn’t create that clear opportunity. The 3’s are aiming to avenge this 3-2 defeat when they play Leeds Adel at home next Saturday.
Match Report
On a wet, cold and windy Saturday morning Slazenger mens 3’s were at home to Leeds Adel. It seemed as though the early start had caught the hosts out and they were still waking up as the visitors were 3-0 after 10 minutes.
The Addingford outfit weren’t dampened by this and slowly began to get a hold of the game, Jack Sanderson, Ally Smith and Seth Hoole linking up well and putting pressure on the Leeds midfield. Eventually the pressure the home side paid off when a penalty fick was awarded and putting pressure away by captain Damien Grieg. The rain continued to bounce down as Slazenger’s went in 3-1 down at half time.
The second half was a completely different one to the first Simon Taylor and Will Carr setting attack after attack up with some great passes out from defence. On the hour mark Slaz’ dominance paid off as Josh Swallow scored to make the score 2-3. The team continued to play some exceptional hockey and dominated Leeds however a defensive mistake allowed the Leeds forward to punish the hosts and put them 4-2 up. Slazenger, like the weather were relentless as they continued to play an attractive brand of hockey and with 3 minutes to go saw Greig score again to make bring the hosts within one.
However, the Horbury side couldn’t find a deserved equaliser and slipped to a 4-3 defeat. There were many positives to take from the game and the green machine will look to start spritely next week when they have another 10am start against Leeds.
Match Report
What a difference a week makes from the cold, wind and rain of the previous week to beautiful autumnal sunshine this week. Just like the weather has turned around, Slazenger men’s 3’s hoped their fortunes on the pitch would do the same against an experienced Leeds outfit, who in their gleaming white shirts were intent on not allowing that to happen. The game was scheduled to be an away fixture but due to issues with the oppositions pitch this game would be played on the hallowed Horbury turf. Slazenger began very strongly and were camped in the Leeds half of the pitch for the opening 20 minutes. It was the tenacity of Jack Sanderson and Dan Bailey in the midfield who didn’t let their opponents have a second on the ball. That added with the endless running of Tim Carr and Owen Wiper meant the Leeds defence were constantly unsettled and unable to break through a strong Slazenger press. The team in green took the lead after 25 minutes when a well worked move down the right wing and a deceptively placed ball by Ryan Bishop allowed a flying Scott Carruthers to dive in and send the ball soaring into the Leeds net. In the moments that followed neat play by Aidy Buckley and Matt Warwick-Giles almost carved out another chance.
Slazenger then had a period of time in which they had a series of short corners, one of which saw Trevor Armitage come close to converting. Concern was etched all over the faces of those on the terraces as Slazenger stalwart and defensive rock Mark Swallow had to leave the field through injury. The green army had to readjust at the back and as the first half was entering its final moments Leeds managed to find a way through the Slazenger defence. A miss-hit shot bobbled and its way past goalkeeper Daz Buttery into the Slaz’ net. 1 a piece going into the break.
The second half began in the same manner as the first with the Addingford outfit dominating play in the middle of the pitch. Simon Taylor driving forward at every given opportunity and creating havoc with the Leeds players who were unable to tackle him cleanly. It was only a matter of time before the Leeds players started to let their frustration boil over as they received a series of green and then yellow cards due to their inability to tackle the “Horbury locomotive” Taylor as he choo-chooed down the line. On the other side of the field it was Seth Hoole and his spins which were sending the Leeds side dizzy. However, for all their possession Slazengers could not create a clear chance and although they had a series of short corners were unable to convert. It was no surprise that Leeds started to have more possession and play in the Slaz half and James Taylor who was a bystander for long periods of the game was called upon to make some trademark tackles and blocks to frustrate the team in white. It was man of the match Buttery in goal that produced a phonominal save in the final minutes, as he managed to dive down and stop a shot that was fired ferociously towards the bottom corner and deflect it around the corner. This moment of heroism from Buttery drove the Horbury side forwards for one final attack allowing them to win a short corner. Captain Damian Grieg barked out the instructions, he was going to slip it to Carr for a one-two back to him. However as the ball was injected in the Leeds runners spilt which allowed Greig to have his moment in the Saturday morning Sun, a drag flick into the net leaving the Leeds goalkeeper and their defence in a state of bewilderment.
Leeds rushed to push back no sooner did they do so, the umpire raised the whistle to his lips ending the game. The Slazenger supporters went wild as they cheered their heroes from the field. 2-1 winners and feeling like they could beat anyone, let’s hope they can as they face Ben Rhydding next week in what could be a tough game.
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Match Report
Slazenger’s arrived at Leeds Uni to discover that the weather had decided to recreate the Great Flood, presumably in an attempt to wash away any hopes of a competitive hockey match. Torrential rain hammered down, the pitch resembled a paddling pool, and the ball moved with all the predictability of a toddler on roller skates.
Leeds Uni, apparently part-duck, adapted immediately. Within five minutes, Slazenger’s were 2–0 down and questioning whether turning up had actually been the right life choice. The home side slipped, slid, and somehow scored twice while Slazenger’s were still figuring out which end of the pitch they were supposed to be defending.
But then—hope!
A short corner. A moment of calm in the storm (well, as calm as anything can be when water is falling horizontally). The Slazenger’s captain Damo Greig stepped up and absolutely leathered the ball into the net, making it 2–1 and temporarily convincing everyone that a comeback was possible.
This illusion lasted approximately six minutes, despite the efforts in midfield of Jack Sanderson, Aidy Buckley and Dan Sprayley. Leeds Uni nabbed a third before halftime, sending Slazenger’s into the break trailing 3–1, soaked, shivering, and silently drafting complaint letters to the Met Office.
The second half… well… happened. Slaz tried to go forwards with Will Carr, Seth Hoole and Scott Carruthers out wide. Yes despite some great blocks by Harry Firth and Sammy in goal Leeds scored four more goals. Each one greeted by Slazenger’s with the same enthusiasm usually reserved for surprise dentist appointments. The game ended 7–1, though the players may have been too waterlogged to see the scoreboard clearly.
In summary:
Leeds Uni were good.
Slazenger’s were soggy.
The weather was malicious.
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Match Report
Slazenger welcomed Halifax for a pre-Christmas clash that promised hockey, heroics, and at least questionable festive jokes. From the whistle, however, it was the visitors unwrapping all the early presents. Within 20 minutes Halifax had bundled in two goals—both arriving with the subtlety of an excited child at 5 a.m. on Christmas morning.
Slazenger nearly responded when striker Tim Carr found himself one-on-one with the keeper, only to send his effort high and wide —rumour has it the ball is currently orbiting the North Pole. Moments later, winger Will Carr thought he’d grabbed a goal, but the umpire channelled his inner Scrooge and disallowed it, for a Slaz foot in the D.
Captain Damian Greig then added a splash of festive drama. After being steamrolled by a particularly shiny-headed Halifax defender—so bald he could have doubled as a Christmas bauble—Greig’s retaliatory bah humbug earned him a green card and two minutes in the Naughty Corner. Halifax took full advantage, adding a third before the break to make it 3–0 at halftime.
Whatever was in Slazenger’s halftime mince pies, it worked. The home side emerged like a team possessed—faster, fiercer, and finally playing hockey instead of gift-giving. Owen Wiper dazzled with footwork so slick it could have been on ice; Dan Bailey and Jack Sanderson bossed the midfield like over-caffeinated elves; and Aidy Buckley and Seth Hoole sprayed passes around with festive generosity (the good kind).
The pressure built, and eventually Simon Taylor delivered the moment the crowd wanted—smashing a glorious shot into the net with enough power to light up the Christmas tree. At 3–1, the comeback was on.
Slazenger pushed, pressed, and threw everything forward short of an inflatable Santa, but Halifax held firm. Despite the late surge, the match finished Slazenger 1–3 Halifax.
Now, with stockings ready and sticks soon to rest, Slazenger look forward to the Christmas break—promising to return in the New Year refreshed, recharged, and hopefully facing fewer bald battering rams. Merry Christmas!
