Boys U9's Hurricane - Firefighters Juniors U9
Match Report: Stockton Hurricanes U9 vs. Firefighters Juniors U9
Stockton Hurricanes 6 - 1 Firefighters
Stockton, October 26, 2024 - The Stockton Hurricanes returned to their winning ways after a weather-induced postponement last week. The match, their first since their defeat against Sky Blues, saw the Hurricanes come back with a vengeance.
First Half: The opening 15 minutes were dominated by the Firefighters, who launched a series of attacks, putting Stockton under immense pressure. However, the defensive duo of George T and Jake stood firm, thwarting multiple attempts and keeping the Firefighters at bay. Their solid defensive play was crucial in maintaining the scoreline until Dominic broke the deadlock for Stockton, after a goal mouth scramble. The Firefighters quickly responded, levelling the score at 1-1 after a one-on-one with the keeper at the 27-minute mark. Just a minute later, Finley restored Stockton’s lead, making it 2-1 by halftime.
Second Half: Stockton wasted no time in the second half, with George B scoring to make it 3-1. Rafa’s relentless runs down the right wing proved too much for the Firefighters, delivering cross after cross. George B struck again at the 45-minute mark, followed by Dominic’s second goal just two minutes later, pushing the score to 5-1. A handball in the Firefighters’ area awarded Stockton a penalty, but George’s shot agonizingly hit the post. Finley sealed the victory with a final goal in the 57th minute. Despite a last-minute free kick opportunity, the Firefighters failed to convert, leaving the final score at 6-1 in favour of Stockton.
Player of the Match: Dominic Weedall
Parents’ Player of the Match: Leo Williams
The Stockton Hurricanes’ impressive performance marks a strong comeback, showcasing their resilience and teamwork. Dominic earned his Player of the Match award not only for his goal-scoring prowess but also for his exceptional play in central midfield, where he balanced attacking and defensive duties with remarkable skill. Leo Williams earned the parents player of the match for his excellent linking play down the left wing, and for a string of brilliant performances over the last few weeks. Special mention goes to George T, Jake, and Toby for their outstanding defensive efforts at crucial points in the match, and to Edward, playing in goal for Stockton who made several crucial saves and used his intuition to let balls go out of play, ensuring the Hurricanes maintained their lead. Barney and Freddie contributed significantly with some beautiful football and speed down the wings. Murat played in a number of positions, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to the team’s success.
Overall, the team made their parents and coaches proud by applying what they have learned in training and showing significant growth week to week. Their hard work and dedication are clearly paying off, as evidenced by their cohesive play and impressive performance on the field.