Henley 5s v Abingdon 3s

Conditions were perfect down at Jubilee Park on Saturday afternoon as Henley Mens 5th XI played their fourth league match of the season against Abingdon 3.

From the start whistle, Henley pushed hard up in to Abingdon’s half with colts Toby Phillips and Danny McAllister and Elliot Fielder injecting some youthful pace in to Henley’s game. Some good positioning and passing enabled Henley to establish control of the game early on and to create some early opportunities.

The first goal of the match came as Elliot Fielder passed the ball in the D across to Mike McAllister who lifted the ball past the keeper and in to the back of the net. Some solid midfield play from Henry Davis saw Henley again advance in to the Abingdon D and a well-timed drive across the goal found the stick of Mike McAllister who deftly launched the ball in score Henley’s second goal.

A third goal came for Henley in the second half when Danny McAllister made a break in to the D, beating a defender and going around the goalkeeper to neatly and calmly pop the ball in to the goal.
Abingdon then found their composure in the second half and came back to launch a number of offensives against Henley. Tom Grocock put in another assured performance playing in goal for the 5s, when faced with a 3 on 2 in Abingdon’s favour, he advanced up to the right winger, pushing him away from the goal and forcing the mistake. Fergus Heggie also played well in both defensive and midfield positions, making a couple of good clearances out of the 25 yard area and off up the wings. Despite best efforts, Abingdon was able to sneak two goals past the Henley defence, and Henley had many very near misses on Abingdon’s goal when on the offensive.
Abingdon continued to step up the pressure on the home team in the closing quarter of the match, with an advance up the right wing. Stepping out towards the Abingdon winger, goalie Tom Grocock successfully blocked the shot and neutralized the threat.
The final goal came in the last quarter of the match. Awarded a penalty corner, Henley’s Matt Carter pushed the ball out to Liam Peachey who received the ball and fed the ball back towards the Abingdon goal. Anticipating this to be the main strike on goal, the Abingdon goalie went down too early and Carter was able to leap on the ball and neatly tuck it past the keeper and in to the goal. Final score Henley Mens 5th XI (4) – (2) Abingdon 3s