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A tough away fixture against high flying Barr Hill Aces awaited Hurricanes on a bitterly cold and wet Saturday. Could they carry on from last weeks convincing victory or as the history books show, come away from Bolton road with nothing?

For the second time this season Daniel Hickey carried out the formalities at the centre circle earning the captains arm band for his terrific display last week.

In the first ten minutes Hurricanes carved out more chances than Barr Hill but the now on form, Ben Crowther had lost his sight on goal and as normal Hurricanes fell behind to a well taken strike that gave Hurricanes keeper Bradley no chance of stopping. Another goal from Barr Hill making it 2-0 and Hurricanes found themselves exactly where they have been too many times this season. Though 2-0 down they were still creating chances and having seen the forwards and mid field unable to breach the Barr Hill goal it was left to a defender to spark a response. When Mason Gregg intercepted a lose ball 15 yards from the half way line no one could have foreseen the eventual outcome. Looking up and seeing a gap he pushed forward and with no opponent coming near carried on with his run, eventually meeting Barr Hill’s midfield, he dipped his shoulder and skipped by two players and moved towards the box.  Again just like a slalom skier he glided around another two players and now with only Barr Hill’s giant keeper to beat he pulled the trigger. Oh what a let down the shot was but it took the keeper by surprise and he could only parry the soft shot back out in front of him. Masons momentum still took him forward and he gratefully dispatched the rebound from the keeper into the awaiting net just where his first strike should have gone. A terrific mazy run and goal from the little defender. The half time whistle blew soon after but thanks to Mason’s goal Hurricanes were back in the game at only 2-1 down.A goal keeper switch for the second half saw Josh Finney don the keeper’s jersey thus releasing Bradley Smith for a full half. Anyone reading this (and is of a certain age) that remembers the Banana Splits will remember a cartoon within the programme called The Arabian Knights, one of the many creatures was a donkey called Zazuum and when its tail was pulled it went into a whirlwind of frenzy and feared by its opponents. Bradley (Zazuum) Smith set about the pitch terrorising his opponents with his tenacious tackling and sheer determination. Not content with playing one position out on pitch Bradley decided he would play them all and he did!

So it took another defender to bring Hurricanes level. A Hurricanes corner that was only partly cleared found an awaiting  Ryan (hotshot) Curran who bagged his sixth goal of the season with a powerful low shot that went under the diving keeper.  Finding themselves back on level terms Hurricanes should have pushed on but unfortunately Zazuums teammates couldn’t match his performance and they allowed Barr Hill to net another two goals to end this contest and run out 4-2 winners.Lucas Warburton had a fine game in defence and Josh Finney played admirably in goal allowing Zazuum to have his run out. To pick up MotM for just 30mins was remarkable and should be an example to the rest of the team (a point the management will no doubt remind the team). So picking up his second MotM award and a new nickname Bradley Zazuum Smith was given a well deserved round of applause.