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Forty-eight hours after the event, I’m still scratching my head wondering how the Hurricanes managed to lose this one. For all but a crazy five minutes just before half time, they dominated the game but despite a stirring late comeback, the Eagles pipped them after a cracking game
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Hitchin started this game as they’d ended the last against Sawbridgeworth and dominated from the first whistle. On two minutes, Joel was sent clear by Sam Hart and put Hitchin ahead with his usual emphatic finish. Hitchin then managed to hit the post, crossbar and forced some great saves from the Letchworth keeper – it was one-way traffic. They could have been 4 or 5 up, but Letchworth regrouped and stunned the Hurricanes with four goals in as many minutes – literally, everything they hit went in. For two of the goals, Sam made fantastic saves but Letchworth were first to the rebound. The second goal was a mis-hit that spun away from Sam and into the corner
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Hitchin were like a boxer reeling on the ropes and the half-time whistle came as a relief. It allowed the team to regroup and enabled Pete and Paddy to deliver a rallying cry. The team came roaring out of the blocks at the start of the second half and attacked relentlessly for 20 minutes. Other than isolated breaks, Letchworth were pinned inside their half by wave after wave of Hitchin attacks. Frustratingly, the ball just wouldn’t go in – when a Sam K shot was diverted by a Letchworth defender onto the post, it looked as if it just wasn’t going to be our day. But the boys refused to give up and Sam K made it 4-2 with a shot from just inside the box and then 4-3 with a slaloming run and great finish from a narrow angle. With seconds to go, the crowd roared Hitchin on for an equaliser but with the ball loose in the Letchworth box and Sam Hart just about to shoot……the referee blew for full-time and the game was over!
An epic game to watch and fantastic performances all-round – the boys will play worse this season and win easily. Sam Hen made some great saves and was very unfortunate with at least 3 of the goals. Patrick, Kane and Morgan made some great tackles and interceptions and supported the forwards as we attacked in search of an equaliser. Jonathan, Joel, the Sams and William S ran Letchworth ragged and on any other day would have scored a hatful.
Man of the match – The boys won’t remember this (they were literally in nappies!) but Sam K’s performance reminded me of when Beckham single-handedly played Greece in 2001 and dragged England into the World Cup Finals. He was everywhere, particularly in the second-half and his never-say-die attitude and two goals were an inspiration to his team-mates.
Squad – Sam Hen, Patrick, Jonathan, Kane, William S, Morgan, Joel, Sam Hart, Sam K
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