Youthful 5th Team Put Up Valiant Fight Against Sonning
Youngest squad to date!
In a thrilling local showdown, Henley men's 5th team clashed with Sonning 4ths on their home turf this Saturday. Fielding their youngest squad to date, Henley welcomed seven Colts into the match day lineup for what promised to be a formidable encounter against Sonning, who held a strong second-place position in the league, trailing only the undefeated Slough.
With a youthful midfield quartet, boasting the talents of under 14 players Jamie Taylor, Dom Proudfoot, Toby Lane and Tomas Chamberlain, Henley kicked off the game with urgency. Despite their determined efforts, Henley found themselves trailing as Sonning's centre forward capitalised on an opportunity just 10 minutes into the match, slipping the ball past Nick Shuttleworth, who stood in for the regular keeper.
Undeterred by the early setback, Henley continued to press forward, orchestrating numerous short corner opportunities, culminating in several of James Edgell’s laser-like drag flicks. However, Sonning's goalkeeper showcased exceptional form, thwarting their attempts with a series of impressive saves. Henley persisted, rotating fresh legs into the game strategically, and managed to hold off Sonning's advances until the final moments.
Strong running from Oliver Whale and Matthew Lawson continued to cause the Sonning defence problems throughout the second half. In a cruel twist of fate, Sonning struck again in the closing minutes, with the same centre forward finding the back of the net once more, sealing their victory. Despite the defeat, Henley displayed commendable skill and teamwork, executing slick hockey throughout the match. The experience gained by the Colts bodes well for the team as they prepare to face Eastcote next weekend, aiming to bounce back and solidify their position in the league's top five.
Henley 5th Lineup: Nick Shuttleworth, Jon Williams, Piers Edgel, Chris Proudfoot, Jamie Taylor, Dom Proudfoot, Toby Lane, Tomas Chamberlain, Simon Taylor, Matthew Lawson, James Edgel, Jon Swinburn, James Lane, Oliver Whale, Ed Newbold.