Henley Mens 5s v Banbury 5s

Henley Mens 5th XI played first league match of 2019 season on Saturday 5th January against Banbury 5s. Henley won the toss and took pushback at Jubilee Park and maintained solid possession of the ball. Pushing up in to Banbury’s D, the home team won an early short corner. A long pass was made to Henry Davis, who very adeptly dropped back then dodged several tackles to side pass the ball to David Corke who tapped it in to score Henley’s first goal. Henley followed up shortly afterwards with a second goal; Ewan Watkins picking up a deflected shot and making an excellent first time reverse shot into bottom corner of the goal.

Starting the second half with the score 2-0, Henley kept up the pressure on the visiting team. This swiftly resulted in a third goal; Phil Biggs making a run down the right wing and crossing the ball across in to the D where centre-forward Jamie Furness was able to tuck the ball just inside the back post.

The visiting side made some strong challenges in the second half with a couple of advances quelled by defenders Nick Shuttleworth and Simon Ward and goal keeper Ed Hems. Despite their best efforts, the home side was however found themselves on a back foot. Banbury’s centre-forward intercepted the ball and dribbling past the defenders, made a run in to the D to put an accurate shot past the Henley goal-keeper and in to the goal taking the score to 3-1.

After this little hiccough, Henley got back on the front foot, again pressing up in to Banbury’s half. Henley sealed their victory scoring a 4th goal from a short corner. Henry Davis stopping the ball and slipping the ball right to Ewan Watkins who slapped the ball underneath the keeper.

Final score Henley 5s (4 – 1) Banbury 5s and congratulations to Henry Davis who was awarded man of the match for his excellent composure on the ball and tenacity throughout the match.