Clinical goal scoring for first win of the season

This was a welcome and well earned first victory of the season for this development team against an Oxford Hawks side weakened by absences. Toby Phillips, a speedy left winger, opened the scoring in the 5th minute of the match following a strong run down the left flank, cutting into the D. His early balls to the forwards were to be decisive in this match, allowing Henley to break forwards quickly. Enzo Cheesman popped in the second goal as Henley's speed of attack thwarted the Hawks defence.

The next third saw Phillips start just as brightly and he popped in his second goal of the day after less than 4 minutes. This was swiftly followed by a first for Elliot Fielder who finally found his rythym, and accuracy.

Henry Davis worked tirelessly in midfield, both cleaning up at the back with Cheesman and driving forward with Shaw. Benny Wood made a fine debut in midfield, with his clean tackles being integral to the midfield possession. Will Parsons made a welcome return and his strength in right midfield, and his defensive ability, were a constant problem for Hawks.

But this was end-to end entertainment as the Hawks side found right side width and challenged the Henley defences. Joe Selvester, Kian Alliston and Dino Cheesman were resilient at the back but goal keeper Evan Bowyer was obliged to come out several times during the match and he worked extremely hard to keep his clean sheet, not least in the final third when Hawks midfield found space and wave after wave of Hawks attacks breached the tiring Henley defences. Henley faced two late Hawks short-corners and it was Bowyer who pulled off two top class saves to leave Hawks frustrated. Man of the match Dino Cheesman proved to be another Hawks' attackers nemesis with his confident tackles and powerful distribution.

The closing minutes of the final third saw a tired Hawks side struggle to contain the speed of the Henley attacks and Enzo Cheesman added his second whilst Shaw scored a well deserved hat-trick in record time.