Sunday 29th April the Hurricanes took on Haslemere and unfortunatley it just wasn’t their day!! A combination of tired legs, knocks/injuries from league games earlier in the week, smaller pitch/longer grass and Haslemere wanting it a bit more. Coupled with some errors under pressure.
At this level its hard to come back into a game, but to gift the first 4 goals creates an almost impossible mountain to climb. Pressure from the Haslemere forwards took its tole early on. Finch were struggling to link passes, create space, read the game and make the right decisions. Lewis’ shot in the box was saved by an outstretched foot, which was pretty much the only on-target chance in the first half. 4-0 half time.
Second half saw the Hurricanes pressing the blues quick and hard, and their work was rewarded by an Adam tap-in when Henry used his pace to create the opportunity down the left side. Although the Finch pressure continued, Haslemere were quick on the transition and scored again from a goal mouth scramble….taking the wind out of the Finch sails. Adam’s volley from Ollie’s cross was tipped over the bar by their keeper and even a 6 shot scrabble in the Haslemere goal mouth couldn’t get past the defence.
Morgan’s long ranged free kick found the net, it wasn’t clear from my angle if Henry had the final touch…but either way it lifted the Hurricanes again and they got stuck in to the game again. But Haslemere caught Finch on the break again for their final goal. Final score 7-2 to Haslemere.
Haslemere defended deep in numbers with a big keeper commanding his area, making it hard for Finch to break them down or benefit from the balls into the box. The longer grass hampered the normal Hurricanes’ passing game and they capitalised on Finch mistakes and their took all their opportunities. They repeatedly kept giving the ball back (too direct long passes to their keeper), hospital passes or running into players/traffic. And the injuries we are carrying were having an impact.
But to their credit they kept fighting in the game right to the end, trying to play football and get another goal. So Haslemere and Farnham are the only teams the Hurricanes have not managed to get any points off in this season.
Looking at the league…..Farnham have won the league and still have a game to play. They have run away with the league this year with 14 wins and only 1 draw, no losses. Claygate are currently 2nd on 26 points with 3 games to play, but will secure 2nd place with a win over Teddington. Abbey are also due to play Teddington in their final game so will almost certainly finish on 26 points, which should put them in 3rd place. Burpham and Haslemere are now finished on 22 and 25 points respectively. Knaphill and Worplesdon have also finished their seasons below 20 points and are currently 9th and 7th respectively.
So the Hurricanes are guaranteed at least 7th place (20 points) now and have a good chance to finish 6th or above based on Teddington taking 8th place. But Finch could match Abbey on 26 points, so a possible 4th or 5th place finish depending on their last 2 games….plenty to play for in the last 2 games of the season.
Their next proper football outing is now the IOW tour next week and their final games to see the season out are now:
- 13th May 10:30am kick off : Claygate at Frogmore
- 20th May : Teddington away to finish the season
