Henley come out second in university challenge

After a disappointing result the previous week, Henley were keen to make amends.

Sadly a young Oxford side started the brighter and put the Henley team under immediate pressure. Passing the ball between their backs and making use of their midfielders in the centre to create opportunities. There first goal came from good work down their left to find a forward with an easy tap in that Cox in goal could do nothing about.

Goal number two soon followed and with Henley not making the most of the odd half chance in the Oxford D, soon fell further behind when a well strike third goal hit the Henley net. Despite being three goals down, Henley kept pushing forward and were rewarded with a goal following good work from Foster to create a chance for Green to deflect for Henley’s first goal for the game.

In the second half the Henley midfield were starting to come into the game more and Joyce and Hetherington were finding more space. Sadly Oxford scored two well worked short corners in quick succession and the game was starting to get away from the Henley side. This didn’t deter them and Hibberd and Walter were finding more space and a goal from both closed the gap to two goals and Henley were looking the stronger side.

Then an error from Cox in goal saw him take out the Oxford forward and concede a penalty flick and receive a yellow card. The resultant flick was converted past kicking-back Joyce in goal and another soon after another Oxford short corner was converted.

With a late surge Henley forwards Green and Walter got a goal apiece, before the umpire blew for full time.

Henley travel to Old Cranleighans on Saturday looking for a valuable three points.