U12 AFC Henley Hotspur’s Last Match of Season Produces Fireworks With 5-5 Score

On a fantastically sunny day the U12 Hotspur home game against Eversley & California Lions got off to a good start. The spectators were treated to six goals in the first 15 minutes alone.

The first 5 minutes were played almost entirely on the opponent’s half. Barnaby Burletson opened the score, finding the net after a goal kick from keeper Oliver Smee. However shortly after, Eversley made it 1-1 after some miscommunication on Henley’s part. Luckily Henley made it 2-1 when the ball was kicked in by Burletson after a fabulous cross from Noah Allen. But again Eversley came back and made it 2-2, then even 2-3 in a couple of minutes.

Burletson however made yet another goal, cleverly dribbling around the keeper and gently passing the ball into the corner of the net. Another chance was created by Damian Fannan, hitting the ball an inch over the bar to the disappointment of all present.

Eversley kept pressing, but lucky one of their more dangerous attempts to score was avoided by Lisanne Schoenmakers who kicked the ball away from the goal line. About 20 minutes into the game, Burletson scored again after a superb cross from Noah Allen, making it 4-3 at half time.

Shortly after the start of the second half however, Eversley came back strongly and scored two goals in a short period of time. Henley’s frustration became visible when a goal from Ewan Pratt was disallowed following incorrect interpretation of the off-side rule. For a long time the score remained 4-5.

Then Ewan Pratt righted the wrong and scored a brilliant goal making it 5-5. In the last 10 minutes Henley Hotspur created numerous chances, and all the spectators were on their feet cheering them on. Oliver Smee proved a strong force in mid field, creating numerous crosses and chances. Noah Allen did a magnificent job driving the pace of the game from his usual left hand side of the field.

After a fair and fabulously entertaining game, with U12 Henley Hotspur possibly playing their best game of the season, the score remained 5-all despite Henley’s efforts.

Congratulations to Players of the Match Noah Allen for pushing the game forward, and Lisanne Schoenmakers for some fabulous defensive work.

A big thank you to coach Tim Allen, for making this bunch of kids a great football playing team!