Sunday 3rd December
Hurricanes V Knaphill
In this league there are no easy games, but not always for the
obvious reasons. The lads got off to another quick start, pressing hard
and winning the ball back quickly. In the early exchanges there were
several great close range chances to score, but couldn’t hit the target.
Knaphill’s game was all about sending it long and getting their fast
kids on to it.
A perfect Finch through-ball from our
midfield trio created the 1-on-1 opportunity which rolled in just
inside the post to go ahead 1-0. Finch continued to dominate possession
and neutralised Knaphill’s faster running players each time with some
superb defending from the lads. There were spells where Knaphill were
completely pinned in around their own penalty box. But in spite of their
hard work to progress up the pitch and create their chances, they
couldn’t hit the target. Score remained 1-0 at half time.
The
second half saw Finch continuing to maintain control, getting numbers
behind the ball and repeatedly winning it back from the home team. They
were strong, confident and quick on the counter with some excellent
attacking and possession football. But the goal drought continued.
Scrambles in the Knaphill goal mouth, long range shots, crosses from
both wings, short and long corners, nothing was working. A handful were
direct at the keeper and the rest missed the target or broke down due to
off-side or ball going out of play. It wasn’t happening for the lads.
Knaphill
stepped up the pressure and were desperate for the equaliser. Combined
with our tiring legs, starting to give the ball away more easily and
giving the home team a bit more space to play, the game become more
end-to-end. Finch had a couple of possible penalty shouts with Henry and
then Ollie being bundled over in the box, but they weren’t given.
Knaphill
got the equaliser when the Hurricanes lost the ball on an attack in
Knaphill’s half and was punted long through our back line. Ben A got
hands on the shot but couldn’t steer it wide.
1-1 final score.
Although the Hurricanes
didn’t get the points they deserved today and the lads were shell
shocked at the end, they played great football as a team and showed they
can counter in numbers. The work rate was good across the board, the
technical skills were there to see. Their attacks had variety with both
direct play and wide play, crosses, cut-backs and through balls. And
defensively they were strong and hard to play around. Lots of
positives!!
Well done all
