Now that’s how you play when you’re about to go into lockdown!

The Hurricanes were up against last years run-away league winners and this years Premier Elite table topper Haslemere. The last time we played them was back in the U16s in the final game of the season when Haslemere had already won the Premier before our game and we drew 1-1.

We were without Luke (injured), Nathan (Covid self isolating) and Joe (away). Dan was originally going to miss this game due to last weeks ankle injury, but he wanted to be involved in case this was our final game for a while. Harrington took on the captain role. In the briefing before the game, my final message was to go out and enjoy the football and leave it all on the pitch!!

Finch were straight at the visitors from the start, pressing high and quickly. But a lapse in concentration allowed Haslemere’s striker the time and space to get a shot away, catching Jake off his line. But our lads got straight back at it, working really hard. And this earned them some chances to level things up. Lewis C corner picking unmarked Marcus out in the crowded box, his header going wide. Cam pulled his left footed trigger, his shot just over the target. Jacob’s wide cross found Lewis C but couldn’t get his shot on target.

Both teams were playing 4-3-3 and it was all about which wing backs could pile on the pressure more. Haslemere started off on the offensive, but gradually Finch worked it out and soon were matching Haslemere across the park and especially in midfield with Matt, Cam and Marcus. Ben, Alfie and Dan were getting high up the pitch. Finch’s 1-touch quick football was causing Haslemere lots of trouble. Lewis B played Matt through into space and his drilled ground shot from range beat the keeper at full stretch to level the scoreline. Haslemere were making mistakes under the home team’s pressing.

Haslemere stepped up their pressure and Jake had to pull out a couple of big saves. A point blank header was pawed away and cleared by Aaron. And a long range shot parried wide on the dive. Haslemere corners were another challenge, but the organisation and commitment was there to deal with all of them.

1-1 half time. The jelly babies were out in force at half time, the lads were knackered with only 45 minutes played. But they listened and recognised the effort they needed to put in.