Match Reports

16/02/07 - Poor run continues

Ultimate Hurricanes 2-6 Hellenic

(2-3)

A strong Hellenic side condemned UHFC to their third successive defeat, despite looking like they had a chance at half time.

The Hurricanes started off poorly, still missing goalkeeper Lenny Harris after a mix-up with kick-off times. Rob Stewart once again donned the gloves and gave it his all. In-experience showed with the defensive line and 'keeper unsure of each other. This, soon enough, led to the opening goal. Goals 2 and 3 soon followed, the third being particularly poor. A bobbling cross, dribbling in at the far post.

Towards the end of the half though, Hellenic tired as they had no subs. Medler's fresh legs chased a lost cause, and won the ball, squaring it to Marshall, who had time and space to pick his spot and reduce the defecit.

There were defensive errors at the other end as well, with one Hellenic defender stepping into his own area, resulting in a penalty and a life-line to make a game it of. Pegg stepped up and crashed home the penalty to make it 3-2 just before half-time.

At the interval, UHFC were hoping the substitute would play it's part, and continue the revival, but it wasn't to be as the stregth and fitness of Hellenic saw the game out with 3 further goals. O'Gorman and O'Byrne came close at the end, but it would not have made a difference.

With only 1 game to go in the league stage, the highest UHFC can aim for now is 5th.

13/02/07 - Consistantly inconsistent

Ultimate Hurricanes 1-4 Pro Evolution 6

(1-2)

Today saw an impressive debut from Tom Pegg, but it was not enough to prevent a successive defeat for UHFC.

Scraping together just enough to field 6 players, it was always going to be tough, fitness not not one of the Hurricanes' strengths.

Rob Stewart took the gloves for the first time this season, and was very impressive, making some important saves. The deadlock was broken however, midway through the first half. A second was hastily added as the Hurricanes struggled to make an impact. Pegg was getting stuck in, and as Pro Evo relaxed, a breakthrough for the Hurricanes presented itself.

A long ball forward found Medler, who made some room and slid it inside for Marshall, who had time and space to pick his spot and reduce the defecit to 1 goal.

Half-time quickly arrived, and Ultimate Hurricanes knew they'd have their work cut out for them by having no substitutes.

They started brightly enough, but a Medler corner was cut out and a swift counter attack resulted in a goal, and effectively the game was over. Pegg smashed a free kick into the wall, and the rebound could not be forced in, and O'Gorman came close by hitting the post. All the time, the final pass was letting the team down. A fourth goal meant no way back, and they look to their next game against Hellenic to get back to winning ways, hopefully with a full squad.

02/02/07 - Consistantly inconsistent

Ultimate Hurricanes 0-2 Gatekeepers of the Underworld

(0-1)

A defeat today meant that all season, UHFC have not had a run of 2 successive wins.

A full squad of 10 players was expected to pull through this afternoon, with rotation being the key to fitness, but infact, the substitutions just confused everybody, with Gatekeepers finding their way through.

Decisive breaks from Hurricane's attacks were the key to Gatekeepers success, with UHFC going close at one end, then on the counter, Gatekeepers sliding the ball under Harris as he closed them down.

O'Gorman brilliantly set-up Medler for a strike, but he could only blast wide. O'Byrne then had an attempt, with the rebound falling to Fox, but with the 'keeper flat out, could only direct it safely into his hands.

At 1-0 down at half-time, the extra players were hoped to bring UHFC some luck. The game was taken to Gatekeepers, with even Idle blasting in a few attempts, but again, lack of communication after substitutes led to another cool finish on the break.

UHFC kept pushing on, but to no avail, O'Byrne coming close in the dying seconds.

The result leaves the Hurricanes in 5th position, with 3 games to play.

16/01/07 - Manager's birthday delight

Ultimate Hurricanes 4-3 3 Lions & Irish

(3-0)

Today not only saw the manager's birthday, but a win and a celebratory goal for Medler, making the perfect present. But it did not all go to plan.

Players were a bit thin on both sides at kick-off, UHFC fielding a bare 6, when they have normally had the opportunity to bring on subs when fitness starts to tell. Along with this, they were missing Harris, the goalkeeper, so it was up to the squad to rotate between themselves. 3 Lions also had problems, 5 players for a start, but at least they has their regular goalie.

Straight from kick-off, it was clear to see how advantageous an extra player can be in this league, with someone always free for a pass. For the first 5mins, it was all Hurricanes, with Medler in goal, an onlooker. As the pace increased, so did the pace of attack. A driving run and fizzing shot out of nowhere from Idle saw the ball fly into the far corner and Idle chalk up his first goal in Hurricanes colours.

The attacks continued and UHFC were playing 'total football'. Flowing, crisp passes, a lot of it first time or even on the volley. This saw an immense move starting with a goalkeeper throw, Everyone having a touch, then it falling kindly for Marshall to power home. unfortunately his drive whistled over the bar. He quickly atoned for his mistake to pick up a pass from O'Gorman and extend the lead.

The third goal came form Medler after he received the ball on the edge of a crowded penalty area, scuffing his first attempt, but clamly placing in the rebound. 3-0 at half time, and it was game over, surely?

That was not the case, as the inexperience of the rotating goalkeepers showed, conceeding 3 soft goals. All of these, Harris would have had for breakfast.

Nerves were setting in and both teams pushed for a winner, UHFC particularly mis-firing when in a shooting opportunity, Medler, Fox, and O'Byrne being the major culprits.

It was up to O'Gorman to take the game by the scruff of the neck and force home a winner with just seconds left to give the Hurricanes the 3 points they looked certain to claim at half-time.

This game will certainly be a wake-up call and stop complacency setting in, especially after already losing from a winning position (vs. Cheeky Monkeys)

08/12/06 - 2nd defeat of the season

Ultimate Hurricanes 1-5 Shaftesbury

(1-2)

The Ultimate Hurricanes were made to look like a pub side on Friday afternoon (not too far from the truth to be honest!). An early goal put them 1-0 down an straight away on the back foot. Some hard graft and a lucky bounce from an O'Byrne tackle saw the ball break loose for O'Gorman who rifled a shot into the near top corner to level the scores. UHFC tried to hold on to half-time, to get their heads together and get some sort of a game plan. This was not to be, as a lucky deflected goal just on half-time saw heads drop.

3 more goals came in the second half, one from former UHFC favourite Cox, who could not hold in his delight.

The Hurricane's best chance fell to Marshall, who could only scuff his shot straight at the 'keeper.

Oh well, attendances are up........to 2!

28/11/06 - Hurricanes storm to victory

Ultimate Hurricanes 9-0 Shaftesbury

(3-0)

A star performance from Fox helped Ultimate Hurricanes to their record victory in the Intramural League.

The game started slowly, with both teams trying to work each other out. Both teams tried to play quick flowing football, but this didn't lead to nay clear chances. Idle had a fierce shot blocked at the near post, and Harris wasn't particularly troubled, but that didn't stop him from making the odd spectacular diving save for the cameras.

The Hurricanes took the lead after a swift break that saw them 3 on 1, queuing up to hit a shot. It fell for Fox who took his chance well. Goals from Medler and Marshall made it 3-0, ad pretty easy at the break. They could see the opposition were starting to squabble.

The second half started as the first finished, goals here there and eveywhere, most from the boot of Fox, the goal for his (first!) hat-trick the pick of the bunch. A rocket of a shot hit from 25 yards, that was still rising as it crashed into the roof of the net. Pick that one out!

Medler managed to bag another with a great turn and shot into the far corner, but it was Fox's day as he continued to tear into the shaky defence. Goals 4 and 5 continued the trend, then a late penalty made it 9-0, and a personal tally of 6 for the game.

Shaftesbury were desperate and resulted to the long ball game, but got them nowhere, their large forward getting more an more wound up as his team were totally outclassed. At one stage it did look like he was about to boil over, when he dropped his hat (which he carried for the whole game, :s ) and Fox nicked the ball and launched an attack. This saw the opposition player take a huge swipe at Fox's legs, but he just shugged it off and carried on playing.

Easy.....Easy.....Easy!!!!

28/11/06 - Hurricanes blow it

Ultimate Hurricanes 2-3 Cheeky Monkeys

(0-0)

The Hurricanes came away from Brunel Sports Park empty handed this afternoon, after letting a 2 goal lead slip.

The first half was pretty dire, with both teams cancelling each other out, Monkeys possibly having the slightly better chances.

After the break, the Hurricanes sprung into life, and after 5 mins took the lead. A through ball was colected by Medler who hit a low, powerful drive towards goal. It struck the 'keepers underside of the leg as he dived for it, which took most of the pace from the shot, but he could only look on as it trickled over the line to put UHFC 1 up.

The second was quick to follow with a cute turn and shot by Medler to increase the lead.

Once being 2-0 to the good, the Hurricanes made the fatal mistake of backing off, and allowed Cheeky Monkeys back into the game, some poor defensive work saw a shot hit across Harris and into the far corner to make it 2-1.

A freak accident saw Idle have to come off, after Marshall powered the ball into his face. With the defensive lynchpin taken off, it was backs against the wall. More sloppy work saw an equaliser, then in the dying seconds, a fierce shot beat Harris at his near post to totally deflate the Hurricanes and condemn them to their first defeat of the season.

24/11/06 - UHFC record victory

Ultimate Hurricanes 7-0 Finance

(4-0)

Today saw UHFC rack up a record win against Finance. From the outset, Finance were struggling, only able to field a team of six, with no subs, whereas the Hurricanes could benefit from three.

It didn't take long for the deadlock to be broken, when O'Gorman hit a low drive to beat the 'keeper at his near post. Medler quickly made it 2, and it was clear to see there was only one team at the races. A third was added, then Stewart rounded off the half at 4-0.

As the Hurricanes looked to wrack up a cricket score, they could at times be trying too hard, rather than hammering in the shots. With legs tiring, UHFC rolled the subs on and off, a luxury which Finance could not benefit from. They kept working hard though and only conceeded another three in the second half. Another goal from Medler, after an exquisite turn to create some shooting space, and a peach from O'Gorman the pick of th goals.

The victory takes UHFC to 4 points from 3 games, without conceeding. A great to start to the season. Long may it continue.

23/11/06 - Hurricanes blow chances

Ultimate Hurricanes 0-0 BPS

(0-0)

The Hurricanes kicked off the new season with a hard earnt point in front of a rapturous crowd of 1. With 9 players turning up, UHFC had the luxury of 3 subs, which was hoped to take advantage of weary legs towards the end of the game.

The first half started with the Hurricanes kicking into the wind, and as such, found it diffucult to create any decent chances. At the other end, with about 5mins gone, BPS struck the near post with a fizzing shot. The game started slow, but half-way through, Fox made some space to have a decent effort. Unfortunately all didn't go to plan and he topped his shot to see it dribble wide. Towards the end of the half, players were tiring and Idle has to misfortune to firstly get caught in the side neeting and fall over, then seconds later have the ball blasted into his goolies. Needless to say, he sat out the rest of the half!

With the wind and sun in their favour for the second half, UHFC pushed for the opener. This left them short at the back on a few occasions and their goal frame was rattled another 2 times. In the last 5mins, the game really opened up and UHFC could exploit the fact they had an abundance of fresh legs. A triple substitution saw O'Byrne, Fox & Medler come on and take the game to BPS. Fox again made himself some room after skilfully avoiding the fling challenges, only to pelt the ball wide, much to the annoyance of the Hurricanes hardcore. There was still time for one more effort just before the whistle blew when Medler struck a shot from a tight angle, only for it to hit the post and go out for a goal kick.

All in all, a good performance against one of the more fancied sides. The Ultimate Hurricanes will look to build on this result and improve team fitness to mount a serious challenge.

4/2/05 - Goals, but no cigar

Ultimate Hurricanes 2-5 Pro Evo

(0-1)

With another defeat yesterday, spirits were low and legs were tired. Still no Green or Garavand, but Luke was available for selection.

The Pro Evo side immediately showed they had skille, but there was very little product. Most chances being hit rather in hope, than expectation. But this 'hit and hope' attitude was what put them 1-0 up. Poor defensive work from UHFC allowed a forward to strike the ball from 20 yards and the diving Harris could do anything about it. Medler and Cox both had chances in the first half to equalise, but they went in 1-0 down at half time.

Pro Evo were more direct, and the effects of yesterday's game showed as the defence grew tired, at times, having only 1 defender to 3 attackers. This contributed to conceding a further 4 goals. Cox came the closest yet, with a delicate chip over the 'keeper, but watched in despair as hit shot bounced back off the bar. Surely, his goal will come soon. At 5-0 down with 5 mins to go, the Hurricanes looked dead and buried, but a snap-shot from Luke gave hope as his shot rolled just over the line, contributing to hopeful chants of '6-5, we're gonna win 6-5!' from the Hurricanes faithful. The dream nearly became reality as Luke set-up Day for his first goal in Hurricanes colours, to make 5-2. Straight after the goal, time was called. With only 3 games to go, points are desperately needed to pull the Hurricanes into a respectable league position.

For video and photos of the game, see Media.

20/1/05 - Another defeat, but improved performance.

Ultimate Hurricanes 2-3 Norfolk Enchants

(1-2)

The first game for the Hurricanes for over a month saw exciting forward Ross Garavand drafted into the squad after recovering from a broken ankle. Mike Day had almost full squad to choose from, with only Green out with a broken toe.

Things couldn't have started better for debutant Garavand. After only 3 mins, he chased a nothing ball on the left flank, then let fly with a cross/shot across the face of goal. It found the bottom right corner and put the Hurricanes 1-0 up. the Hurricanes then sat back and this invited Norfolk onto them. The inevitable happened and they equalised.

With half-time approaching, Norfolk won a corner. The Hurricanes defence was caught napping and with no-one around to make a challenge, the ball was slotted past Harris with ease. Day and Medler were livid on the sidelines. Hurricanes went in 2-1 down.

Tactics and personnel were changed at half time, but this saw them concede a third. A strong run and powerful shot evaded the lunge of Day and beat Harris at his near post to put the Hurricanes 2 behind.

Hickerton was told to push forward, and this immediately paid dividends. A mazy run, coupled with some cute nutmegs and a cut-back to Hickerton saw his shot on the turn find the bottom right corner of the goal to make it 3-2. The Hurricanes saw a way back into the game, but it was to no avail. 3-2 it stayed, and condemned the Ultimate Hurricanes to their 4th consecutive defeat, but with an improved performance.

It's only a matter of time before things pick-up.

10/12/04 - Hurricanes blown away.

Ultimate Hurricanes 0-8 OC

(0-4)

Another day, another defeat. Hurricanes were well beaten today by a side that are so far unbeaten, including a win over Arabesque. With Green and Harris unavailable for today's encounter, it was always looking to be a tricky game. Day's plans to put Medler in goal were scrapped just before kick off as Matt Startin was tried in goal.

It couldn't have started worse for the Hurricanes as they found themselves 1-0 down with just 30 secs on the clock. A run from one of the opposition midfielders saw no challenge attempted, allowing him to run at goal and fire it past a bemused Startin. This seemed to shock the Hurricanes into gear as they piled on the pressure, going close a few times. The post was struck and shots flashed wide, Medler even managing to direct one on target. This unfortunately found them wanting at the back, and the goals flew in left, right and centre. At 3-0 Medler went in goal, which stopped the flow of goals slightly. Cox got a nasty stamp on his hand and kick in the calf, and Fox went off briefly as well, not helping matters. Going in at half time 4-0 was not what Day had in mind before the game.

The second half was played at a slower tempo with the OC playing the ball around nicely, knowing they were in control. Stray passes and lapses in concentration, maybe even lack of effort, was what was condeming Ultimate Hurricanes to such a heavy defeat. Frustration was showing at 6-0, as Marshall and an opponent nearly began swinging at each other. Both sides jumped in to stop a brawl, and Day sensibly put Marshall in goal to cool things down. 2 more went in, the eighth a peach.

So 1 win from 4 games, and only 3 points. Things need to start improving....................and soon.

3/12/04 - Hurricanes slump to another defeat.

Ultimate Hurricanes 0-2 Students Union

(0-1)

Today saw the Hurricanes second defeat in 2 days as the SU won 2-0. Still reeling from the night before, Hurricanes were eager to get their season back on track. Hurricanes began strongly and made a few good chances, Medler firing in a shot from distance that tested to keeper (wearing slightly dodgy lycra leggings). The pressure was not sustained however, Harris taking a shot full in the face, but regaining his composure to stop the ball from trickling over the line. The opening goal was thanks to a defesive error by Day, allowing Harris to be drawn out and beaten by the SU forward. It stayed 1-0 until half time.

Medler and Green were brought off for Hickerton and Ashley, and their fresh legs saw them get in amongst the opposition.The game followed a pattern until another set of substitutions were made. Fox had to go off after being shoved in the back and winded defending a corner. The SU made a quick break down the left and hit a hopeful shot. It seemed as if Harris would be comfortable, but spilled in into the net, giving the SU a 2 goal advantage. They seemed happy with this and the Hurricanes got increasingly frustrated and tired, Green crunching a player by the fence, although the SU man had been using his arms a bit too frequently. No more goals were to come for either side, leaving the Ultimate Hurricanes desperately searching for another victory to get their season back on track

2/12/04 - Hurricanes lose heated encounter.

Ultimate Hurricanes 2-3 Jisambard Massife

(1-1)

Marshall

Fox

The Ultimate Hurricanes went into this game full of confidence after getting off to the best possible start the week before. They set straight into Jisambard, and after only a couple of minutes went 1-0 up. A good run from Hickerton saw him get to the byline and pull a cross back to Marshall, who took the oppotunity superbly to slot it in at the near post. With Harris away on international duty, Medler went in goal as he has impressed in training. The Hurricanes sat back on their lead and invited Jisambard onto them, which was to be their downfall. Caught short at the back, Medler was drawn out and the ball was slotted past him to make it all square. Fox hit the post in the closing stages, so 1-1 it was at halftime.

The second half saw Day start in goal, and this is where the Hurricanes felt hard-done by. Despite a few dubious free-kick decisions, all going for Jisambard, the Hurricanes regained the lead. A great one-two between Fox and Ashley saw Fox get a shot away at goal and find the net. As legs were getting tired, Jisambard took their opportunity to level. Another re-shuffle from day saw Medler back in goal as they looked for a winner. on 2 more occasions the woodwork of the Jisambard goal wa stested, but it was not to come. Right at the death, Day was adjudged to have fouled an attacking player at the edge of his area. As Marshall paced back for the wall, the free-kick was taken whilst no-one was ready, giving Jisambard a hotly disputed goal. No suprises then just as Hurricanes kick-off to look to get back into the game, full-time was called. Hurricanes slump to the floor, feeling, and rightly so, as if they were cheated.