3rds win first league game in new division

Henley 3rds made an excellent start to the league season with a strong 4-1 victory against local rivals Sonning 3rds.

Continuing their form from the previous friendly matches, Henley looked sharp from the pushback. The defensive line looked solid with Mike Woolfrey driving the attack from right back. Marshalled by Jack Draycott, midfield and attack worked well together, hungry for possession and hunting for the ball.

However, it was Sonning who opened the scoring from a penalty corner which was unluckily deflected into the net from a defender’s stick.

Undaunted, Henley continued to pressure the Sonning defence. This was rewarded following some fast attacking hockey on the left wing, with Leo Packham calmly finishing a rebound from a sharp shot by Alex Price.

Going into the interval at 1-1, Henley knew that more goals would come if they continued to play their expansive game, focusing on possession as Sonning started to tire.

John-Joe Cottam took the visitors into the lead following a marauding drive into the Sonning area, neatly lifting the ball into the net following the goalkeeper’s initial save.

Henley’s third came following a driving run by Mike Woolfrey. Hammering the ball across the Sonning area, Woolfrey found Tim Barrass at the far post. Barrass made no mistake in slamming the ball home with typical skill.

Sam Brown then added Henley’s fourth following a fast move through Draycott, Price and Harry Wray.

Brown’s goal capped off a very positive performance by Henley, who were delighted to secure three points in their first game of a higher division following their promotion to MBBO Division 3.