Hurricanes battle on right to the bitter end

AFC Henley Hurricanes U12s lost a see-sawing match against Wokingham and Emmbrook Sumas, going down 3-2 at Jubilee Park.

On a bright and windy morning, both teams looked to set the tone of the game. The Sumas had the first corner, while the Hurricanes responded with a sophisticated passing move down the left, but Jack Callaway’s shot was saved.

The Sumas broke the deadlock after 10 minutes. A quick break created disarray in the Hurricanes’ defence, and the Sumas took full advantage.

Going behind galvanised the Hurricanes, who created chances for Nicholas Hernandez St Clair and Oscar Robinson. It was Robinson who found the equaliser, typically staying strong to force his way through the defence and put the ball past the Sumas’ keeper. The Hurricanes were back in the game and playing well. There were further chances for Will Lindsay and Oscar Robinson, while Jack Tookey’s free kick was on target. The Sumas also had chances, but the Hurricanes went into the break ahead thanks to Will Goulden’s powerful strike from the edge of the box.

Early in the second half, the Sumas regained parity from a corner. After a bit of goalmouth scramble, the ball was bundled over the line. The game had become quite even, both sides creating chances. Shiva Vadhoolan, Goulden and Robinson all had chances, while for the Hurricanes Harrison Carpenter Buckett saved a well-struck penalty to keep them in the game.

Play ebbed and flowed, but it was the Sumas who made the decisive move. A quick break allowed their striker to slot the ball home. The Hurricanes worked hard to find an equaliser but the Sumas held firm.

The Hurricanes’ man-of-the-match for a second consecutive week was Oscar Robinson, who had driven the Hurricanes forward with a typically battling, determined performance.