AFC Henley U10 Hurricanes vs Arborfield Aces U10s Aztec
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31 January 2026 · East Berkshire Football Association<br>Division 2
Away league match played on 31 January 2026.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM
1-2
vs AFC Henley U10 Hurricanes
Away league match
?? *The Henley Trilogy Settled: Tactical "Christmas Tree" Sparks Epic Comeback!*
*Match Report by Jono*
*Result: AFC Henley U10 Hurricanes 1 – 2 Arborfield Aces U10s Aztecs*
Score at Half-Time: Henley 1 – 0 Aztecs
The saga is over, and the Aztecs have emerged as the victors! On Saturday morning, the Arborfield Aces U10s Aztecs made the long journey to Henley for the third time this season. In a match that began with frustration but ended in a tactical masterclass, the Aztecs proved they have the mental toughness to thrive in Division 1.
*The First Half: Shaky Starts and Woodwork Woes*
The match didn't start as planned. The Aztecs initially struggled, forgetting the one-touch passing drilled into them during training. Instead, the team fell into the trap of playing "long ball" football, with the midfield slow to track back. This allowed Henley to seize control of the first quarter. Only a resilient performance from the defense and some vital saves from *Byron* kept the Aztecs in the game.
Things began to click in the second quarter when *Cameron* and *Theo* entered the pitch. *Theo* immediately looked to restore order, urging the team to get the one-touch passing game moving again. This shift in momentum nearly paid off when *George* and *Theo* linked up. *Theo* played a return pass back and *George*, being the powerful kicker that he is, unleashed a trademark strike that rattled the crossbar. Despite the improvement, Henley led 1-0 at the break.
*The Tactical Shift: Rebirth of the "Christmas Tree"*
The second half saw a major tactical evolution. After a quick lesson provided to newer squad members *Tommy* and *Jacob*—who only joined the team this season—the Aztecs reverted to the "Christmas Tree" formation. This was a system the core team had not played since their U9 days, but the newer boys picked it up instantly.
With *Jacob* moving into an Attacking Midfield role, he was tasked with holding up the ball and attacking space. Behind him, *Theo* and *George* moved into Central Midfield to provide a solid engine room. This shift made the Aztecs significantly more compact, snuffing out Henley’s rhythm while creating more structured attacking lanes.
*The Final Quarter: Midfield Magic*
With twelve and a half minutes to go, the Aztecs maintained the Christmas Tree shape but dialed up the intensity. *Theo* and *Jasper* began supporting the attack at a blistering pace, resulting in elite football in the final third:
40th Minute: *Jasper* turned provider, finding *Cameron*—who pushed forward from right-back with incredible energy and drive to slot the ball home for 1-1.
45th Minute: The pressure told again. *Jasper* played a brilliant ball to *Jacob*, who used his advanced position to perfection, firing home to make it 2-1 and complete the comeback.
*The Heroes of the Decider*
? *Players of the Match*
*Ethan* (Parents’ Player of the Match): An awesome defensive display. He was phenomenal in getting back, covering for others, and making some truly awesome tackles to keep Henley at bay.
*Byron* (Referee’s Player of the Match): Simply awesome in goal. His shot-stopping was elite, but it was his leadership, positivity, and constant encouragement that kept the team's spirits high.
*The Full Squad Effort*
Every Aztec showed immense heart to adapt to the mid-game tactical changes:
*Cameron*: The engine of the comeback. He put in a strong performance in defense and was a huge difference-maker when he stepped into midfield to drive the team forward.
*George*: Worked incredibly hard, covering vast ground to get forward and back. He was unlucky not to score after hitting the bar from a lovely *Theo* through-pass.
*Theo*: The heartbeat of the team. Displayed great one-touch passing, skipped past defenders with ease, and worked tirelessly to defend while creating brilliant chances.
*Jasper*: Fought hard throughout the entire 50 minutes. He really came to life in the final quarter, linking up beautifully going forward to provide the winning assists.
*Jacob*: Showed great character. After a slow start and some third-quarter frustration, he pushed through to master his new position and score the clinical 4th-quarter winner.
*Oscar*: Another rock-solid performance. He marshalled the defense with authority and used his strength to stop Henley attacks in their tracks.
*Tommy*: Put in a great defensive shift. He covered his teammates well but also showed great ambition by getting forward at times to support the attack.
*Next Up: Back at the Fortress*
The Aztecs return home to Farley Hill for their next challenge:
??? *At Home: Arborfield Aces U10 Aztecs v Westwood Wanderers U10 Wanderers ? Kick-off: 09:00 AM*