Sunday 14th January
Finchampstead Hurricanes V Abbey
The results………
Nothing short of amazing from the 11 lads today against last years Championship league winners and 2nd place in the Premier league. Today was going to be a tough first fixture after the Christmas break on a muddy big pitch, with Abbey wanting revenge for their 2-1 defeat at Finch at the start of the season.
The Hurricanes gave an organised and positive performance,
every single one of the lads giving everything they had from the kick
off. They hassled in the midfield, passed the ball well, they created
space through movement and got up the pitch to attack as well as
defending in numbers. Both teams had early chances, the Hurricanes
crossing the ball in from Ben M on the left and James on the right
wings, plus some optimistic long range shots (to try to catch their
keeper out when he was off his line).
Abbey were
quick on the break with their number 13 striker and getting numbers
forward but it took about 30 mins for them to break the deadlock. The
Hurricanes got straight back at them to their credit. Another through
ball saw Abbey get 2-0 up shortly after. Some Finch persistence from
James created a lob opportunity which just missed the top right corner.
And then with 5 mins to go, Morgan was fouled in the penalty box. Ollie
calmly coverted the pen to make it 2-1 and Finch were on the rise in the
game!!
Adam twisted his ankle with 1 minute left of
the first half, and that was sadly the end of his game (he was gutted
he couldn’t get back out there with the lads even with my ankle
strapping on). So down to 10 men with half a game to go against a strong
Abbey….lots of Jelly Babies and the full 15 min half time later….Dan
pushed on into midfield with Marcus leaving 3 in the back line,
Ollie/Morgan switching to cover midfield and up front as well, James and
Ben M on the wings, Nathan/Jacob/Alfie in the back line in front of Ben
A.
And its fair to say the Finch fighting spirit
turned up in buckets and we witnessed a gutsy, aggressive, fast paced
fight from our lads. Abbey’s midfield seemed to collapse and Finch
looked dangerous with each transition in play. Abbey were still piling
on the pressure at every chance and the Finch defence was solid even
with just 3 in the back line….winning the ball, driving into the
midfield to overload, making positive runs. Nathan, Alfie and Jacob were
our anchors today!!
Marcus and Ben M broke through
their lines in 2 different opportunities but couldn’t quick get the shot
off under pressure from Abbey’s defence. Morgan and Ollie had long
range shots to test the keeper. Ben A had saves to make to keep the lads
in the game at 2-1. I couldn’t ask for any more from the lads!!
With
tiring legs against Abbey’s team with 5 subs, Abbey did manage to get a
couple more goals in the dying minutes of the game with 2 opportunistic
shots, but the lads fought all the way to the finish line.
4-1 score line flattered the home side.
They left everything on the pitch today!!
What is great to see is the style of play from training
coming through in the way they play. Quick 1/2 touch passing football,
movement, fast/high pressing, good decision making and communication!!
Final Score
Finchampstead Hurricanes 1 – 4 Abbey
Well done lads.
