Lions hit back to leave Hurricanes pointless

AFC HENLEY HURRICANES U15s ended up on the wrong side of a pulsating game, losing 4-3 at ELDON CELTIC JUNIOR LIONS U15s at South Reading Leisure Centre last Saturday.

The Lions started brightly with an early ball across the Hurricanes’ goal signalling danger, but no striker was near to convert. The Lions made the Hurricanes work hard in defence, but the visitors also created chances, playing some good passing football in attack. Gabriel Robbins-Cherry almost scored from one such move, denied only by the onrushing goalkeeper.

After 25 minutes, the Lions opened the scoring with a lobbed goal which hit the underside of the crossbar and deflected down and in.

The Hurricanes were not behind for long, Rupert Hepburn on target following more good passing work from Oscar Robinson and Robbins-Cherry. The Lions would have gone ahead again but for a fine save from goalkeeper George Hodges when one-on-one with the striker.

This paved the way for the Hurricanes to take the lead. Once again built on good passing, Robbins-Cherry used his strength to push through the Lions’ defence and fire the ball into the net. From here, the Lions picked up the mantle again, largely pushing the Hurricanes back into defence. The Hurricanes’ defence of Jack Tookey, Jack Venn, man-of-the-match Dominic Ellis, Benji Rillett and Adam Hanley were up to the challenge and the half ended with the Hurricanes ahead.

Early in the second half another sharp piece of passing allowed Robbins-Cherry to unleash another powerful shot into the back of the net.

The Hurricanes continued to attack, but the Lions were strong and gradually the momentum swung in their favour. The Hurricanes were defending stoically, but eventually the pressure told, with the Lions scoring twice in two minutes to level the score.

The Lions were now getting plenty of shots in, but the Hurricanes’ defence and goalkeeper Harrison Carpenter Buckett were equal to the challenge.

The Lions found the target once more with some smart passing of their own, a simple short-range shot was all that was needed to go ahead.