Henley 4s Winning Streak Continues

Henley on the back of 3 undefeated games in a row travelled with some trepidation to second placed South Berkshire Terriers with a number of key players missing. Spirits however were high under the continued deputy leadership of Simon Ward looking to extend his own personal unbeaten record in charge. The game started fast and furious with the dynamic and youthful Terriers pressing the somewhat more mature Henley team form the off. However it was Henley who made the first breakthrough, a free hit awarded just inside the Terriers 25 was quickly taken by James Lane who jinked his way to the D before passing to Phil Biggs to strike home, somewhat bizzarely as the game was ready to restart the Umpire had a change of heart and to the dismay of the Henley team the goal was disallowed. Henley took the set back in their stride and within minutes Phil Biggs again had the ball in the net and this time there was no reverse.

Terriers came out fighting for the remainder of the first half and with Ed Newbold and Neill Emmett impressing it was looking like the Henley defence had the measure of the skilful opponents, again Terriers upped their game and following a smart attack down the right a hopeful cross found the Terriers striker unmarked and he slotted home the equaliser.

The second half began much as the first with Henley in the ascendance with James Lane an Ewan Watkins controlling the midfield, slowly the game began to get stretched as Terriers and Henley pushed for the decisive breakthrough. The Henley defence was now under heavy attack and only some superb shot stopping from David Rechner in goal kept Henley level. From one Terriers attack Henley stole the ball and released Nick Shuttleworth down the left wing, his smart inside ball found Watkins who advanced on goal releasing the ball to a well positioned John Grocock who smartly whipped the ball into the danger zone where Piers Edgell scored a magnificent reverse stick shot high into the Terriers goal, finish reflecting the quality of play in the build up. Terriers now pushed further and further forward looking for the equaliser but again the Henley defence held strong, with 5 minutes remaining Henley scored a deserved 3rd following a great move down the left and skilful work from Ian Rechner who presented Watkins with the simplest of tap-ins.

A superb result for Henley somewhat against the odds which cements their position in the middle of the table.

Team: D Rechner, E Newbold, N Emmett, J Williams, S, Ward, P Biggs, J Lane, E Watkins, D Corke, J Furness, N shuttleworth, P Edgell, I Rechner, J Grocock