Henley bag vital three points

Henley welcomed Staines to Jubilee park for their final home game of the season. After the disappointment of the result the week before, Interim Ian Heggie laid out the game plan and asked for all from the players pointing out that that Henley required three points to maintain their chance of surviving in the league. It's been that type of insight that has kept him in post (#interim) and the players on their toes throughout the season.

Henley started brightly and asserted their authority on the game from the outset, controlling possession and territory. The first opening came from a penalty corner, as Man of the Match and skipper Ed Foster passed to Gupta who duly dispatched. Soon after, another penalty corner followed and despite the best efforts of the goalkeeper to tip toe into the huddle to hear the corner call, Foster despatched a trademark three quarter pace push into the bottom right hand corner - 2-0 Henley.

The game continued with Henley in the ascendency. Well marshalled by Rob (s) at the back, the midfield held possession well and further chances followed through good work from the forwards. Another penalty corner opportunity presented itself following good work by Hibberd, Foster and Green. Foster's shot was saved by the keeper, but Joyce was first to react to the rebound with a neat two touch finish.

With Henley up and in control, the second half quality and intensity dropped off and the game became fragmented and stretched. Staines had a couple of penalty corner opportunities that were seen away by Cox and the corner defence team - and the Henley goal was not breached. In the last 15 minutes, Jonny Taylor intercepted a Staines pass into midfield and a swift counter attack saw Foster score his second. Minutes later, good interplay by Joyce and Hibberd down the right hand side, culminated in a reverse stick cross/pass to Green. Green's deflection was well saved by the keeper but Foster was on hand to calmly slot in the rebound to complete his hatrick and the victory.

Foster was duly named man of the match - a captain's hatrick when it was needed. The result meant that Lewes could no longer catch Henley, but with Oxford Uni achieving an unlikely win versus Spencer, Henley still have everything to play for. They travel to Banbury tomorrow with a win necessary to maintain their position in the league and to stay in touch with Wayfarers...could they do it... could they?...