The 3s returned home this week for another local derby with Marlow Men’s 5s, this week’s visitors to Jubilee Park. As with last week’s trip to Reading, it was once again a hot day, and once again Henley’s opposition were young and numerous, but Henley started positively with an emphasis on ball retention and game management.
An entertaining first half ensued, with both sides eager to attack, probing and threatening - particularly through their skilful young players. For Henley, their midfield three of McDonald-Smith, Woodfin, and debutant Morant were having a stand-out game and causing constant problems for the Marlow defence. It was Alex McDonald-Smith that earned the breakthrough for Henley, with some great work down the left, carrying into the D and cutting back for Zack Barrass to sweep home on his reverse and give Henley the lead after 10 minutes. Henley did not have to wait long to extend their lead with Barrass earning a short corner, from which Guy Harmer reacted quickly to sweep home Gordon Merritt’s initial shot and make it 2-0.
Marlow pushed hard to get back into the game and the Henley defence came under a lot of pressure in the closing stages of the half. Eventually the pressure told, and the visitors clawed one back with some skilful work down the right opening things up for a simple finish to make it 2-1 at the break.
At half-time, the game management message was re-emphasised and Henley recognised that the second half was going to be hard work with Marlow’s extra numbers likely to give them the edge for legs. Resilience and organisation were going to be key for the home side, but they were caught cold in the opening moments with Marlow breaking forward quickly and a bouncy ball falling kindly for the visitors to slot home an equaliser.
Not the restart Henley wanted and, as expected, Marlow went on to make the second half very difficult, pressing hard and using their extra legs to keep their attacking threat fresh. The midfield worked tirelessly though, and the defence of Conway, Nicholson, Newman, and Roberts were resolute, restricting the visitors to only a few direct chances that Bowyer in goal was equal to.
Henley’s forwards, Barrass (x2), Brown, and Merrit, kept height in the game and ensured the Marlow defence always had a problem to think about, even when they were getting less of the ball, and their patience and hard work paid off when they earned a short corner with 10 minutes remaining, which Gordon Merritt converted, courtesy of a deflection, to restore their lead. Marlow kept the pressure on the remainder of the game, but Henley held firm to protect their lead and secure their first points of the season.
Henley are at home again next week with Berkhamsted & Hemel, coming to visit in a 15.00 push back at Jubilee Park.