5ths maintain unbeaten run

Henley Men's 5th team welcomed local rivals Marlow to Jubilee Park in their forth league game of the season, previously recording three 1-1 draws, Henley were looking to get their first victory, maintain an unbeaten run and boost their points tally.

Henley started the game with a clear focus across the team of ball retention and increased speed of movement, on and off the ball. Henley's early pressure soon told with the opening goal of the game coming from close interplay down the right hand wing, Jamie Taylor taking the ball around the Marlow defence, to the by-line and picking out Neill Emmett on the 'P' spot who swept the ball into the goal off the far post. Emmett was again on the scoresheet a few minutes later, diving to sweep the ball past a wrong footed 'keeper after a scramble. Two more goals came late in the half, one for each side, Henley's 3rd coming after James Lane's run into the Marlow D and finding captain Sam Austin who's firmly struck shot found the net. Despite the 3-1 scoreline Henley were thankful to the athletic abilities of 'keeper Ed Hems, for multiple diving saves and clearances for their 2 goal lead.

The second half saw Marlow push forward, Hems in the Henley goal again pulling off several last ditch saves to keep the ball out of the Henley goal. As the game began to get more stretched, Henley won a rare short corner with 5 mins to go. A training ground move, slipping the ball to Matthew Lawson who's crisply struck shot hit the backboard added to Henley's tally for the match. 4-1 to Henley and the match was won. The game was a lot closer than the scoreline may suggest and Henley will need to take their chances again next week to keep up the momentum of a solid start to the league.

The victory pushes Henley up to 5th place, 2 points behind 3rd place with two games in hand over the teams above. This weekend's game sees Henley travel to play 2nd placed Sonning, lying 3 points ahead, so all to play for!