BATTLING Petersfield under-eight Hurricanes extended their unbeaten run to an impressive ten games with an eight-goal thriller against Rushmoor Community Dragons at Love Lane.

And not even the concession of two late goals could dampen the enthusiasm of the young Hurricanes, who battled hard to the final whistle and saw Finlay Stafferton and Connor Redpath score their first goals of the season.

Redpath’s goal capped a fine performance from the diminutive youngster which threatened more goals as he continually put the Rushmoor defence and goalkeeper under pressure with his tigerish tackling and never-say-die attitude while Stafferton’s stunning goal arrowed into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area after a burst of confidence saw the speedy Hurricane home in on goal.

The only pity was that the twin strikes were met with muted delirium on the touchline from both parents and managers alike as part of the North East Hampshire Youth League’s ‘silent weekend’ initiative which meant the young players took control of the match themselves.

And the improving Hurricanes appeared to thrive, communicating to good effect, led by vociferous goalkeeper James Port who again made a string of brave saves which belied his tender years.

In front of him, quick-thinking Harry Timmons and dependable Oscar Walker were again at the heart of many good things at the back, while Benjamin Oru continued his footballing education with a resilient display in the middle of the park.

At the other end, with Albert Wheeler, leading scorer Taylor Pearce and Luca Baragan pulling the strings with a series of mazy runs and raids on the Rushmoor goal, and Alex Garlant a constant threat up front and an effective tackler mopping up at the back, the Hurricanes soon seized control.

And it was Garlant who opened the scoring with his 21st goal of the season, firing a shot against the upright which cannoned back off his legs into the net after Pearce raced past two Rushmoor defenders and crossed to the back post.

Then came Stafferton’s thunderous strike into the bottom corner before Garlant raced past two markers before being dispossessed. The loose ball fell to Baragan whose ball fell to Wheeler who gleefully thumped the ball into the net for his ninth goal of the campaign.

Things threatened to get much worse for the visitors in a pulsating first half as Baragan was tripped in the penalty area but saw his spot kick saved by the Rushmoor goalkeeper.

Baragan almost made amends early in the third quarter as he jinked his way past three players but couldn’t force his shot past the goalkeeper.

The Dragons roared back with a goal either side of two more fine saves from Port, Redpath then dispossessed the visiting goalkeeper but couldn’t force the ball over the line at the other end, before Port was the saviour once again with a double save that resulted in a Dragons corner.

And Rushmoor cut the deficit to one goal when Garlant handled the ball in the penalty area and the Rushmoor striker made no mistake from the spot.

But the error merely spurred on the impressive Garlant who broke through the middle and raced wide before squaring a lovely ball across the goal for Redpath to convert in fine style at the back post before Rushmoor’s late show.