Frustrating Draw

Henley 4s drew in the most frustrating of manners as they conceded three in the last ten minutes on a blustery winter day. Going into the match in 3rd place the Henley side were feeling confident and they made an impact from the start. Ewan Watkins made a surging run through the defence and squared it to Nick Shuttleworth. But before the ball reached the Henley man on the post, a Newbury defender stuck out his foot and conceded a penalty flick. Andy Green stepped up for it and swept the ball into the Newbury net. With Henley on the upper hand for yet another match, determined not to let it slip they piled on the pressure. After a long ball forward, a mistake from the Newbury defender gifted Martyn Watkins the ball and he slipped it to Ewan Watkins who took one touch and slammed the ball into the roof of the net from the top of the D. Going into the break two goals up, the Henley side decided not to change anything.

Shortly into the second half after a crunching tackle from the goalkeeper, Henley were awarded a short corner. After all other failed attempts, the ball was slipped to Neill Emmett on the post, who after a couple of lucky bounces was able to sweep it into the goal. Straight after, Henley suffered a blow to their side, with Neil Emmett being hit on the head by a wayward pass forcing him off the pitch and forcing a change in Henley’s game plan. With this injury, everything went downhill. Newbury won a short corner and a delicate flick brought it back to 3-1. Moments later a good run resulted in a firm shot which sliced open the dazzled Henley defence. With two minutes being signalled by the referee Henley only had to hold on to get the three points. However, a long ball onto the man on the post who deflected it in unmarked gave Newbury a somewhat undeserved draw.