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On a scorching hot morning in Hemel Hempstead, the Hurricanes rose to the occasion in the biggest match of their lives to memorably and deservedly beat Comets and reach their first County Cup Final.
After racing into a 4-0 lead, they held off a late Comets fight back to earn a spot in the final where they will play Cuffley, who beat Bishop Stortford 2-0, on Sunday 16 May.
The tension was palpable as the game kicked off but both teams settled down and the opening exchanges were fast and competitive. Comets had a few long-range efforts which Sam Hen watched safely pass by the woodwork and Joel and Kane had half-chances which narrowly missed the target. With five minutes to go before half-time, Will and Joel combined to send Sam K clear down the right wing. His cross was dropped by the Comets keeper and Joel reacted fastest to poke the ball over the line and put Hitchin in front. Three minutes later, it was 2-0 as Will escaped down the left-wing. He raced into the box and his shot beat the keepers dive but struck the left-hand post. The rebound bounced back into the box and Joel was once again in the right place at the right time to make it 2-0.
The second half kicked off with the Hurricanes 20 minutes from the final. The next goal was crucial – if Comet scored, it was “game on”, if Hitchin got it, they would have one foot in the final. Fortunately, four minutes into the half it was Hitchin who made it 3-0 as Joel completed his hat-trick in spectacular fashion with, given the circumstances, one of the goals of the season. He picked up a short pass from Patrick just inside his own half and turned his marker. He then kept going, racing away from another defender before hitting a powerful, looping shot over the keeper and into net. It got better for Hitchin three minutes later as Somerset and Joel combined to send Sam K clear – he gave the keeper no chance with a powerful, accurate finish that made it 4-0 and kept up his remarkable record of scoring in every game he’s played this season.
To Comets’ credit, they never gave up and continued to pour forward as Hitchin endured a difficult last ten minutes. Comet reduced the deficit to 4-1 with five minutes to go from the penalty spot after Joel was adjudged to have up-ended an opponent during a goalmouth scramble and made it 4-2 with a crisp volley from the last attack of the game. Straight from the kick-off the whistle blew and the game was over – less than three years after the majority of the team were 6 year olds running around Benslow fields like headless chickens at their first training sessions, they had reached the County final.
Man of the match – Everyone played their part in reaching the final but my MoM is Sam Hartnack – he was immense in defence and won everything down the left side.
Team – Sam Henshaw, Patrick, Sam Hartnack, William, Kane, Sam King, Joel, Somerset
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