IN-FORM Petersfield Hurricanes under-8s carried on where they left off before their bye week by securing the bragging rights against town rivals the Warriors at Love Lane on Saturday.

The two teams fought out a tense draw six weeks ago, and for long periods this equally entertaining North East Hampshire Youth League clash looked like heading the same way.

But the Hurricanes have a real seam of steel runing through their collective ranks these days and overpowered the Warriors in the second half.

After top scorer Taylor Pearce saw his firm shot saved on the goal line and Albert Wheeler had a similar goalbound effort pushed round the post by the impressive Warriors goalkeeper, the Hurricanes finally broke the deadlock when a shot from Alex Garlant was deflected into the path of Luca Baragan who made no mistake for his seventh goal of the season.

Baragan threatened to double the Hurricanes’ lead but his shot was again well saved by the Warriors keeper.

And the save proved key as the Warriors levelled just before half time with a powerful shot from distance by Jacob Hoare that despairing Hurricanes goalkeeper James Port was unable to keep out despite getting fingertips to the ball.

The Hurricanes retook the lead when Wheeler’s away swinging corner was headed backwards into his own net by an unfortunate Warriors defender, but the Warriors were level again minutes later when Riley Garrett coolly slotted home a penalty after a trip by Harry Timmons.

Aside from the mistimed tackle, Timmons again barely put a foot wrong at the back, breaking up many a Warriors attack with help from the ever-dependable Oscar Walker, who was helped by some teancious tackling from tigerish Benjamin Oru while Connor Redpath bravely picked himself up after being felled by one of his own players to add yet more steel to a brave midfield.

Finlay Stafferton also looked to relieve the pressure in the middle of the park while trying to set the forwards on their way, and it paid off as the Hurricanes nosed in front for the third time when Garlant’s free kick found its way to Wheeler who clinically tucked the ball away for his eighth goal of the campaign.

The Warriors roared back and were only denied an equaliser when Port pulled off a terrific double save to keep his side ahead, adding to a string of fine saves and brave blocks throughout the game.

And the double save proved vital as Garlant killed off any hopes of another Warriors fightback when he scored arguably the goal of the game in the closing minutes.

Picking up the ball out on the right inside his own half, the determined youngster raced past one flat-footed tackler, cut inside a second, rode an attempted slide tackle on the edge of the box and calmy steered the ball into the net away from the despairing dive of the goalkeeper to wrap up the win and notch his 20th goal of the season.

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