Presidents Cup Final – Match Report
The Hurricanes 4-2 Clerkenwell Old Boys
Sunday 3rd Sept 2017
Presidents Cup Final
Hackney North Marsh
The Presidents Cup presented the league with a first glance of what lies ahead, It’s going to be an exciting season with the level of play displayed. The first 15 minutes were frantic as both teams were probing for opportunities but the final pass not quite meeting its intended target. Casey O’Brien was having the game of his life in midfield for the Hurricanes with interceptions and lung busting runs through midfield. The amount of ground he was covering was incredible and he was soon to get on the score sheet bursting through to finish after great work by Simon Lawrence.
Clerkenwell struck back, upping their game with Gary Chandler pulling the strings in midfield. His pass to Ilyas Ismail led to his cross narrowly glanced wide by Dean Francis who should have scored and he held his head knowing he should have.
The pressure was starting to build, Albert Cruise combined well with Ilyas Ismail who whipped the ball in for the unfortunate Ben Bloom to divert the ball into his own net. 1-1 game on!
Clerkenwell were now in the ascendancy, another break away by Ilyas this time down the right, instead of shooting he smashes the ball across the goal just beyond Daniel Attard who was running in.
Hurricanes come back, probing at the Clerkenwell defence but finding the man mountain Dennis Attoh blocking their path. Casey O’Brien picks up the ball in midfield drives forward, the Clerkenwell defence retreats, he strides forward and from 25 yards smashes the ball against the cross bar with the goalkeeper beaten. The ball bounces down for Ejike Onuwchuckwu to just beat Dennis Attoh to the rebound to tap in on the goal line to make it 2-1 .
This is a great game to watch, the pendulum has now swung back to the Hurricanes. Simon Lawrence burst down the right and crosses for Casey O’Brien, with the goal at his mercy he heads wide. Everyone wonders how. A clearance by the goalkeeper is allowed to bounce in the opposing half, Clerkenwell do not clear their lines and Simon Lawrence runs through and draws out the goal keeper before squaring to Jack Fletcher to make it 3-1.
The game has been back and forth. Are we watching basketball or football? Clerkenwell come back again, They never give up. Dennis Attoh and Gary Chandler driving the team forward. Back they come again, a measured cross from Albert Cruise from the left is not cleared and Dean Francis ghosts in to make it 3-2. It’s now anyone’s game.
Hurricanes now under pressure and defending valiantly to keep Clerkenwell out, another good cross, this time from the right, and Gary Chandler thunders his header against the bar.
Clerkenwell are pushing forwards, looking for the equaliser, but Hurricanes break away and Simon Lawrence scores to make it 4-2 to the Hurricanes. Again great work by Casey to intercept and set him off.
The game finishes 4-2 to the Hurricanes, A magnificent game played both teams. If this is what we have to look forward to in division one this season we are in for a treat. Well played Hurricanes, commiserations to Clerkenwell but what a game for the opening game of the season.
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