N-Ever to be for the Hurricanes!

The U11 AFC Henley Hurricanes suffered a 2-1 Cup defeat away at the hands of the Eversley & California Royals. In a competition that the Hurricanes have never had a particular love affair with they again slipped to a team in a league below them.

The visitors were under pressure from early on in the match and goalkeeper Ben Horner had to be at his very best as he pulled off a number of great saves to keep the score at 0 0 at the first quarter break.

At the start of the second quarter though he was powerless to stop the hosts going in front as a far post cross was turned in.

Captain and man of the match Olly Saunders was instrumental in organising the Hurricanes defence after this set back and restrict Eversley to long range shots.

He was ably assisted in defence by Joe Turner, Daniel Tsoi and Henry Steele as their tough tackling gave the Hurricanes a foothold back in the game.

This was almost exploited by Tom Bonsor who was leading the line admirably and went close on a couple of occasions but the score remained at 1-0 at half time.

In the third quarter the Hurricanes came alive and led by Nicolai Bruun-Andersen and his electric feet they scored the equaliser their tenacity and courage deserved. Alec Steele was rampaging down the right wing and his exquisite through ball sent Tom Yeoman away. As the Eversley keeper rushed out Yeoman calmly lobbed the ball over him to make it 1-1 heading into the final quarter.

This set up a tense last quarter and Tom Atkinson went close for the Hurricanes as they pressed for the winner. However it was not be and the Cup woe continued for the visitors as they conceded deep in to quarter 4 giving them no time to respond.

Managers Turner and Atkinson were said to be disappointed by the result and were looking forward to focusing on the League.