PROGRESSIVE Petersfield under-eight Hurricanes put together arguably their most cohesive performance of the season at North East Hampshire Youth League rivals Churt Tricksters on Saturday.

The midweek training sessions are clearly starting to pay dividends for the battling Hurricanes who were only undone by two late goals against a useful Tricksters side on their sloping pitch.

At times, especially in the early stages, the Hurricanes goal led something of a charmed life but dogged defence from Oscar Walker, Harry Timmons and Connor Redpath, who made a crucial goal-line clearance, and another brave display in goal from James Port largely kept the Tricksters at bay.

Port made one particularly good block when left one on one with a Tricksters striker after a quick break from a Hurricanes corner.

But as the game progressed, the Hurricanes moved up through the gears, gelling as a team to good effect with Benjamin Oru and Finlay Stafferton strong in the tackle, the latter playing a particularly nice ball upfield to striker Taylor Pearce in the second quarter as the Hurricanes broke away.

Redpath also demonstrated his growing confidence and versatility with some delightful footwork and a neat turn to keep possession inside his own half.

Walker was as determined as ever at the back, tirelessly chasing down a Tricksters striker as he raced toward goal to concede a corner, while Timmons was a constant threat, cool in possession, embarking on mazy runs and building from the back as a regular outlet for top scorer Pearce and Alex Garlant, who pushed up the park further and further as the game wore on.

And it was Garlant, who earlier made a couple of confident runs and put over a couple of dangerous crosses into the Tricksters penalty area, who equalised for the Hurricanes shortly before half-time.

Pearce tenaciously won the ball inside his own half and played a neat through ball to Garlant who took the ball into the penalty area before hitting a right-footed shot past the Tricksters goalkeeper for his fifth goal of the season.