12/09/2026
🖤⚪️ MATCH REPORT ⚪️🖤
HURRICANES 9–4 HILTON HARRIERS
MATCH DAY 1 | 2026/27 SEASON
What a start to the new season! 🔥
A massive well done to the Hurricanes today as we returned to competitive football following the summer break with an entertaining 9–4 victory over Hilton Harriers.
This was always going to be an interesting first game for us. We have a new-look squad, new players settling into the group, a new formation to work with and plenty of girls still getting back up to full match fitness.
But from the first whistle, the girls looked ready.
⚡️ FAST OUT OF THE BLOCKS
The Hurricanes started incredibly quickly, playing some crisp passing football, moving the ball well and showing fantastic drive and determination.
It was particularly pleasing to see the new players settle into the team.
Aaliyah, Neive and Lois all made their Hurricanes debuts, and despite the understandable nerves before kick-off, all three quickly found their feet, got involved and looked like they had been part of the squad for much longer.
And there was even more to celebrate as Neive and Lois both scored on their Hurricanes debuts! 👏
3-4-3 FORMATION
With us short on numbers due to injuries, we decided to go with a 3-4-3 formation, and at times it worked incredibly well.
Ellie, Poppy and Holly formed the back three and were given a huge positional learning curve. Playing as a back three requires plenty of communication and understanding, and although there are things for us to work on, there were plenty of encouraging signs.
In the middle of the pitch, Millie and Neive ran the central midfield, working tirelessly to control the game, link defence with attack and keep the Hurricanes moving forward.
Further forward, the girls caused Hilton plenty of problems with their movement, passing and attacking intent.
🔥 5–1 AT HALF-TIME
The first-half performance was excellent.
The girls took a 5–1 lead into the break, and it was exactly the kind of start we wanted after such a long summer break.
At half-time we knew Hilton would come back at us, and unfortunately we became a little too comfortable after the restart.
We sat back slightly and allowed Hilton to gain some momentum, which gave them the opportunity to pull a couple of goals back.
But this is where the character of this group really showed.
The girls picked themselves up, rallied together and went again.
They regained their composure, started playing forward again and eventually added another four goals to put the game beyond doubt.
⚽️ NINE GOALS — FIVE DIFFERENT SCORERS
There was plenty to celebrate in front of goal.
⚽️ Lucy — ⚽️⚽️⚽️
⚽️ Millie — ⚽️⚽️
⚽️ Neive — ⚽️⚽️
⚽️ Phoebe — ⚽️
⚽️ Lois — ⚽️
A special mention to Lucy, who started the new season in style with a fantastic hat-trick. 🎩⚽️
And what a debut for Neive and Lois, both getting themselves on the scoresheet in their first appearances for the Hurricanes.
🏆 MANAGER’S PLAYER OF THE MATCH
NEIVE
What a way to make your Hurricanes debut!
Two goals, huge energy in central midfield, plenty of determination and a willingness to take on the responsibility of playing in a new system.
Neive was involved in so much of what we did well today and thoroughly deserved to be named Manager’s Player of the Match.
Congratulations Neive — fully deserved! 👏🏆
🏆 PARENTS’ PLAYER OF THE MATCH
AALIYAH
Another new signing making her Hurricanes debut, and Aaliyah was fantastic.
She created plenty of opportunities, looked a constant threat and linked up really well with the players around her.
She was very unfortunate not to get herself on the scoresheet, but her overall performance was excellent and she made a huge contribution to the team.
The parents recognised her performance by voting her Parents’ Player of the Match.
Congratulations Aaliyah — a fantastic first game! 👏🏆
💪 MORE THAN JUST THE RESULT
Although a 9–4 victory is obviously a fantastic way to start the season, today was about much more than the scoreline.
We had:
* A new-look squad
* Three new players making their debuts
* A new formation
* Players learning new positions
* Girls returning after a long summer break
* Players still working towards full match fitness
And despite all of that, the girls supported each other, encouraged each other and battled right through to the final whistle.
That’s probably what pleased me most today.
There were certainly things we could have done better, particularly after half-time, and we’ll work on those things over the coming weeks.
But as a first competitive game back, it gives us a fantastic foundation to build from.
🖤⚪️ THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
A massive well done to every single girl who played today.
To Aaliyah, Neive and Lois, welcome to the Hurricanes — what a way to start your journey with us.
To the rest of the squad, thank you for getting behind the new players and showing the togetherness that we want this team to be known for.
We’ll now continue working hard over the next few weeks to improve our fitness, our shape, our understanding and our football.
The season is only just beginning.
🖤⚪️ FULL TIME
HEANOR JUNIORS HURRICANES 9–4 HILTON HARRIERS
We’re back — and we’re only getting started! 🔥⚽️
