Henley 2s 3 vs Abingdon 1s 2

The first league game of the season is usually a cagey affair as teams adjust to the cut and thrust of competitive hockey again. Henley 2s needed to begin this season well in order to kickstart their campaign but they did not disappoint. The new faces have integrated well and were eager to impress in this tie away against Abingdon, one of the two 1st XIs in this league.

Henley were initially overawed by the occasion but surging runs down the flanks pinned the Abingdon defence back into their own half for large periods. After a strong drive forward by skipper Herbert, the resultant penalty corner was slotted home by Ian Roberts under the keepers right arm to open the visitors account. With nerves settled Henley were soon into their stride. A quickly taken free hit by new man Sam Hall on the right found Herbert with space to attack along the by-line and pick out John-Joe Cottam to score on debut with a sweetly timed slap into the corner. Abingdon had some success through the midfield and forced some good defensive work from Jeremy Clarke and solid saves from David Bowyer in the Henley goal.

2-0 at half time was a fair reflection of the game thus far, and the second half started brightly. Jeremy Hughes-Burne was given time and space amongst the Abingdon defence to express himself creatively, Guy Harmer performed well as target-man up front, and Nico Cheesman and Jack Draycott made life difficult for the home side to break beyond half way. However as the second half developed Henley’s game management seemed to dissipate allowing hearts to rule heads thereby gifting Abingdon opportunities to get back into the game. Some lacklustre work in midfield by the visitors gave Abingdon the sight at goal they needed to spur them on – 2-1 and cue inevitable edginess in the Henley ranks as the game become more fragmented. Tension was broken briefly when pressure within the Abingdon ‘D’ forced the keeper into a scrappy save which Herbert tidied up to make it 3-1. Game over? Not exactly... Some inopportune lapses in discipline and decision-making by Henley lifted the home side and saw them double their tally, though ultimately the remaining five minutes were long enough for Henley to hold out for the victory.

Lots to take away from this game then, particularly the first 3 points of the season, equalling all of October’s tally from last year. Next up Maidenhead at home on Saturday 10th October.

Team: D. Bowyer, J. Clarke, I. Roberts, S. Hall, J. Draycott, D. Herbert, N. Cheesman, J. Hughes-Burne, G. Harmer, W. Doward, J-J. Cottam.