Henley grind out win on the coast

Off the back of a strong performance, Henley ventured to the Sunshine Coast to take on Eastbourne, a team that took Henley to the line in the previous fixture and despite their lower league position are a formidable force. Following some good results for the Amber and Blues the previous week Henley went into the game 5 points clear at the top of the league.

Henley started the game chasing the ball from the off. The home side seemed intent on taking points from the league leaders and showed that desire right from the opening whistle. Henley lacked possession and the little time they did have the ball it was given away cheaply as the away side struggled to adjust to the slower pitch. Passes went astray and the ball was turned over. This led to a number of opportunities for the home side but none really penetrated the last line of defence and Henley pushed on with the score evenly balanced. Through many attacks for the home team came openings that Henley were able to exploit on the break, lots of great shape and structure allowed the ball to move quickly up the pitch but more often than not the final passes were intercepted. Henley were however able to force a few short corners, the first of which was saved. The second was flicked low and hard by David Ralph to opening the scoring. Henley continued to threat on the break but went into the half time break with only one goal between them and the home team.

Henley started the second half the sharper of the two teams. Some patterns were forming and it was the away side that applied the pressure and forced turn over. Henley breached the Eastbourne D on a number of occasions, one leading to a goal. Rhys Joyce drove down the right hand side past a number of players and drilled the ball across the goal. Ed Foster then got a deflection that lifted the ball over the Eastbourne goal keeper which was skilfully volleyed into the back of the net by Henley’s top scored Luke Gupta. This gave Henley further confidence to attack the game and despite not having full control, the game never felt threatened. Henley got a third after Jonny Taylor jumped on to a stray ball which was sent reverse stick across the face of the Eastbourne goal, finding Green unmarked at the far post who tucked the ball away to make it 3-0.

Henley knew they had the game tied up although frustratingly allowed the home team to deny them of a clean sheet when a quick attack and a pin point long pass was converted by the Eastbourne striker. Despite the late goal Henley were once again happy with their performance, but know that they have many tough games to come before they can begin to think of promotion.