Sunday 10th November the Hurricanes travelled to their furthest away fixture at Teddington in the SPL league cup competition on Remembrance Sunday.
We’re very proud to stand with the lads as they pay tribute in
the minute silence to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the
privileges we enjoy today.
The Hurricanes were
playing in the blue/white away tops and in their regular 4-3-3
formation. Just 12 players with James, Nathan, Billy, Dan and Ben A not
available due to illness, travelling and injury. The lads were
definitely up for it today in the warm up and team briefing. We’ve
continued our work on releasing the ball more quickly and pressing in
numbers at training.
Both teams started well in the
game, Finch able to move the ball forward quickly putting pressure on
the Teddington back line….just not quite able to get a clear chance on
goal. Teddington were pressing a little harder at times making it
difficult for the Hurricanes to link up their passing game. Jake was
tested early on with a Teddington shot from the edge of the box going
into the top corner, but he was able to pick the ball out of the air as
it headed for the top corner.
It took 25 minutes
for the first goal to come, Aaron winning the ball deep in the Finch
half, playing it forward quickly up the line and Jacob delivering the
ball to Cam to beat the keeper. And a few minutes later Jack held the
ball up for Lewis B to burst through and beat the keeper to the ball for
the 2-0 lead. Teddington responded just before half time with a headed
goal from a drilled corner when Finch weren’t marking tightly enough in
the box. 2-1 half time.
The half time brief was
focused on reminding the lads about the pressing in numbers work we have
been doing, anticipating and reacting quickly. Plus releasing the ball
quickly, especially once they had beaten a player.
The
second half was as fast paced as the first, Teddington continuing to
press quickly. Finch now starting to release the ball quicker and
exploit the width more to Alfie and Lewis C in the wingback roles. The
quicker passing play was stretching Teddington and allowing Finch to
attack in numbers. Lewis B threaded the ball through for Jacob to stab
home the 3rd goal just in front of the keeper. Finch won a series of
corners which Ben drilled in, Harrington not quite able to get over the
top of the ball to hit the target.
To Teddington’s
credit they kept chasing the next goal. Jake was called into action,
doing well to parry away a free kick and cover the goal for Teddington’s
shots. They were rewarded for their persistence, capitalising on a
scuffed defensive clearance to get back into the game at 3-2. Alfie and
Lewis B took some knocks in robust challenges for the ball and Marcus
struggled with cramp as the clock ran down. But it was the Hurricanes
hard work and determination which got the final goal of the game, Jacob
slotting Lewis C through to kill the game off at 4-2, his shot too
strong for the keeper to keep out.
There were strong
performances across the team today. Harrington and Adam worked well at
the back, confident possession play from the back and provided the
aerial threats for corners too. Alfie, Aaron and Lewis C worked really
hard to push on from the wingback positions and provide the wide
options. Cam, Marcus and Lewis B battled hard all game in the centre of
the pitch to stop Teddington playing forward. Jack, Jacob, Lewis C and
Ben M showed their attacking pace, dangerous crossing and good linkage
play to create the opportunities in front of goal. And Jake was alert to
the Teddington threats and was able to spread the ball quickly. And
some excellent team goals too. Well done to all the lads!!
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