|
The Hurricanes stormed into the Royston Crow League Cup Final with a crushing and thoroughly deserved win over Baldock Knights.
The hosts started strongly kicking downhill and winning the early territorial battle but both teams initially struggled with the blustery wind and hard, bouncy pitch. The Hurricanes gradually settled and took the lead after five minutes when Joel found space on the edge of the box and blasted a great shot just inside the far post. It was 2-0 soon after – after a strong, direct run through the centre of the Knights defence, Will broke into the box and slipped the ball under the keeper. The boys then finished a superb half with a magnificent team goal after a great move down the right. Patrick broke up a Baldock attack and a long, floated pass found Will running into the right-hand channel just outside the area. He controlled the ball well and a great cross found Somerset. His excellent first-touch created space and an ice-cool finish gave the keeper no chance.
With the Hurricanes 3-0 up at half-time, the second half kicked off and the next goal was crucial. If Baldock scored, it was game on; if Hitchin scored, they had one foot in the final. Fortunately, it was the latter as Will made a superb run across the edge of the box and crashed an unstoppable left-foot shot across the keeper and inside the post. The boys continued to break and attack at every opportunity and played some lovely football on a tricky surface. It was 5-0 when Joel chased a long cross-field ball down the right and did well to keep it in play. He turned, slipped past two challenges and rifled a shot past the keeper at his near post. Joel then turned provider with minutes to go, when a superb cross-field ball from the halfway line to the left-hand edge of the area was met with an audacious first-time glancing volley from Somerset that looped over the keeper and into the net.
It was the kind of game when everything worked for Hitchin but the boys worked their socks off to establish control and it was a superb team performance from all seven. Sam had a quiet game in goal but was alert enough to race off his line and clear the danger when Baldock broke through early in the second half, and he tipped away a corner a minute later. Max and Patrick were very secure and confident in defence and made it 4 clean sheets out of 4 with not a single goal conceded so far in the competition. Kane and Will were outstanding in midfield and drove forward to support attacks at every opportunity. Somerset has developed into a superb target-man this season and his first-touch, awareness and vision were excellent today as was his willingness to chase and close down defenders. Joel continued his fantastic end-of-season form with a performance brimming with energy, pace and skill.
Man of the match: - Will – an absolutely barnstorming performance in centre midfield, full of strong running and tackling and capped by two very well-taken goals.
Team: - Sam, Patrick, Max, Kane, Will, Joel, Somerset
|
