Missed Opportunity by Henley 4s

Henley started very strongly against a Thame side who are always at strength at Home. Right from the first whistle the ball was being moved around well and opportunities were being created. A long ball forward into Ewan Watkins was held up by the forward and slipped to Neill Emmett who continued his fine goal scoring record to open the scoring for the travelling team. Minutes later another long ball was picked up by Watkins again who this time slipped it into Rupert Wiseman’s path, Wiseman wasn't able to convert but Neill Emmett was there yet again to pick up the rebound and put Henley up 2-0. Henley had now located the weakness in the Thame defence and continued to exploit it. Watkins picked the ball up on the edge of the D and squared to Wiseman but this time the goalkeeper made a fine save to keep Thame within touching distance. Against the run of play Thame got a goal back with a great run and finish from a Thame standout 3’s player. And as it would seem, Henley's missed opportunities would come back to haunt them as the home team got another to make it 2-2. However Henley kept on pushing and having won a short corner moments before half time, a slip to Philip Biggs resulted in his 3rd goal in 2 games for the side, giving Henley a well deserved 3-2 lead at half time.

Henley's hopes of turning this position into a key win were shattered in the second half. Thame stepped up their game and with superior fitness were proving to be the stronger team. The equaliser came from a sweeping move delivering the ball to the back post which was converted by one of three Thame strikers waiting for the opportunity. Henley continued to press on and with time running out thought they had a penalty flick when a Thame player seemed to stick out his foot to block a goal scoring opportunity but a short corner was all that was given. Then, in the cruellest of fashions with just minutes left Henley were denied the three points as a Philip Biggs goal was denied, as the whistle was blown for a short corner moment before the ball crossed the line. With light fading and conditions getting increasingly dangerous the game was finished and the Henley players began the trip down the M40 feeling as though a real opportunity had been missed.

EW