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A rejigged Hurricanes team played their full part in a superb game of football but fell to a narrow defeat against an impressive Stortford team who clinched the league runners-up spot with this win.
Both teams sought to play passing football and the first half was fast and competitive. Stortford created the more clear-cut chances, hitting the bar with a long-range shot and forcing stand-in keeper Sam to make at least three remarkable saves. At the other end, Ben R held the ball up well in an unfamiliar role and Kane and Joel created a number of half-chances but were kept at bay by a superb Stortford keeper and defence.
Stortford broke the deadlock early in the second half as a fast break saw a cross find the Stortford striker in space and his finish gave Sam no chance. For a while, the Hurricanes were second-best as Stortford created a host of further chances and looked likely to extend their advantage. However, a tactical change saw Joel pushed up front with Patrick and Ben combining down the right hand side. It gave the team more attacking impetus and the Hurricanes dominated the last five minutes but couldn’t find the equaliser. Joel raced through one-on-one but was denied by an excellent save and then in the last minute, it looked like he had salvaged a point as he was first to Patrick’s through ball and rounded the keeper – however, his goal bound effort was thwarted by a miraculous goal-line clearance and Stortford hung on.
Overall, it was a wonderful game played in a superb spirit by the boys and their supporters and Hitchin played their full part and were desperately unlucky not to claim a point. Full credit to the visitors – they were composed and showed good passing and movement and their defence and keeper were very impressive.
Man of the match: -Sam Hen – good handling and a succession of remarkable saves that kept his team in the match.
Team: - Sam Hen, Patrick, Max, Kane, Will, Joel, Ben R
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