FAST-improving Petersfield Hurricanes under-8s showed real grit to go with their good football as they overpowered Mytchett Athletic Hawks in desperate conditions on Saturday.

On a pudding of a pitch, which was barely playable, and in a bitter wind which was blowing in occasional rain, the Hurricanes again stepped up, showing real determination and slick play to overwhelm the Hawks in this North East Hampshire Youth League clash.

And no-one typified the Hurricanes’ desire and improvement more than roving left-footer Albert Wheeler, who had a hand in all six Hurricanes goals in a game shortened to three 10-minute quarters by the appalling conditions.

But all 10 squad players played their part as the Hurricanes continued on their impressive upward curve with solid displays all over the pitch.

Wheeler set the ball rolling in the first quarter after a dazzling run up the right wing and pinpoint cross by Harry Timmons, who was a consant thorn in Mytchett’s side at the back with the dependable Oscar Walker and further upfield with his darting runs.

Moments later, Wheeler attempted to repay the favour by scampering up the left flank and crossing for Timmons but an unfortunate Hawks defender could only divert the cross into his own net.

And the Hurricanes wrapped up an impressive opening quarter as Alex Garlant showed his awareness to seize upon a loose ball on the edge of the box before calmly using his unfavoured left foot to steer the ball into the bottom corner.

Shellshocked Mytchett dragged themselves back into the game with two goals either side of half-time, despite the best efforts of brave Hurricanes custodian James Port, who shone again with a string of fine saves – one of which unluckily fell to a Hawks striker who made no mistake at the second attempt.

At the other end, top scorer Taylor Pearce flashed a couple of low drives narrowly past the post while Luca Baragan, Connor Redpath, Benjamin Oru and captain for the day Finlay Stafferton got stuck in in the midfield to pile the pressure on the hosts.

And the Hurricanes took full advantage as Wheeler broke clear on the left and sent in a low shot across the muddy goalmouth which Garlant raced onto to poke the ball over the line for his 19th goal of the campaign.

In a case of deja-vu moments later, Wheeler and Walker played a delightful one-two before the former’s goal-bound shot got stuck in the mud where the quick-thinking Oru reacted quickest to gleefully fire home his first goal of the season.

But Wheeler was not to be denied a deserved second goal of the game, his seventh of the season, as he dispossessed a defender who got tangled up in the mud and fired home into the bottom corner.

Petersfield Hurricanes: Port, Walker, Timmons, Redpath, Stafferton, Baragan, Oru, Wheeler, Garlant, Pearce.