Men's 2s pipped at the end

With the sun shining, the sky blue and the trees still, the crowds filed into Jubilee Park to enjoy this top of the table clash. Both teams have started the season well, with Hawks leading the way and riding high at the top of the table. Henley have started poorly in recent weeks but it was they who started the better. Flying out of the blocks and placing Hawks under sustained pressure straight from the push-back. This pressure failed to turn into goals and chances were created and spurned. The game started to turn after 10 minutes with Hawks beginning to over-come the effects of the long journey across Oxfordshire. Gaining possession with penetration, Hawks broke into the Henley D and, after a slight scramble, managed to get a scuffed shot away. With his view blocked, the ball spinning and his feet seemingly stuck to the AstroTurf, the ball rolled past Bowyer and into the goal. Hawks 1 up and the Henley side rueing their missed chances at the beginning of the game.

With their tail feathers up, Hawks continued to apply pressure. After another quick break, they drove into the D and struck the ball at goal. Taking a deflection, the ball ballooned up and the ball bounced over the line. 2 nil Hawks with Henley against the ropes.

Last year’s Henley side would have folded, but with some new blood, namely Ed Hughes-Burne, the better of the two Hughes-Burnes brothers, running the midfield and a new management regime, this side is no push-over. And with the other Hughes-Burne brother securing a goal for Henley, this game was far from over. The effervescent Measures was unlucky from a short corner strike and Ex-National league striker Mike Woolfrey taking more turf than ball with the goal at his mercy, Henley were creating chances. A short corner flick from the veteran Slay, deflected up and looked to be heading wide until a Henley stick appeared from nowhere to divert the ball over the line by a whole inch. 2-2 with all to play for.

Hawks were continuing to create good chances though, with special mention going to Henley left-back James Moore for saving 5 clear chances off the line. Unfortunately, Henley’s luck was not to last, with errors from the back gifting Hawks two late goals to take the win and the 3 points. Henley move on with the knowledge that they are progressing but that more improvement is required if they are to reach their targets for the season.