Henley make it three from three

Henley went into their 3rd game of the season with two wins already behind them and in positive mood against visiting local rivals, Marlow.

Henley took control of the game early on and were creating lots of chances, Chris Green was running circles round Marlow’s sluggish defence but insisted on going for the glory shots that the very competent Marlow keeper kept patting away.

The first goal came after some good work from Joyce in the middle of the park and firing the ball into the circle, Green helped it towards the goal and it took another deflection to loop over the keeper. Shortly after, Green would have been through on goal had it not been for a deliberate kicking of the ball by the Marlow defender that took a deserved 5 minutes on the side. With Marlow down to 10 Henley were in full control, Hibberd dazzled down the left and found Taylor diving in on the far most to smash the ball past the keeper.

The second half was much like the first, Henley moved the ball round the field well, Marlow threatened occasionally but the game was sealed when Hibberd found the net after good work from Gupta on the right, 3-0.

Marlow had their first short corner of the game late on but good defensive work from Mortimer set the counter attack up and within 3 passes Joseph slapped into the goal with his trademark off-balance, eyes closed, tumbling finish.

Marlow managed a consolation goal with a couple of minutes to go, Henley Goalkeeper Roy Cox had spent most the match as a spectator but when the ball fell at his feet was beaten for pace by the Marlow forward, downing him for a penalty flick that was dispatched well to Cox’s right. The game ended with Marlow down to 10 with their 3rd yellow card of the game, the enthusiasm from the mass of coaching staff on the side line wasn’t matched on the pitch, perhaps the pre-match yoga had them finding their ‘happy place’ rather than the hockey field.

Another solid performance from Henley, a 4-1 win and 9 points out of 9 leaves Henley joint top of the table and Interim Manager Ian Heggie was seen dancing his way back to the clubhouse.