Men's 4s subdue Wallingford

After a defeat away in the first half of the season the Henley team came into this game with a wary step. Henley fielded a strong side however and in this league anything could happen. Henley started the game off very well and they were passing the ball strongly around the pitch. They created a few early chances but were not able to convert. Wallingford didn’t let their heads drop and won a short corner against the run of play. Wallingford converted and pulled into a shock lead. Henley began to pile on the pressure to Wallingford’s experienced defence and a lovely pass from James Rechner set up Ian Rechner who flicked it beautifully into the net. After this Henley seemed to lack composure. Another cheap short corner was converted again and both sides were wondering how long this Ping-Pong game would go on for. With the Wallingford defence being pressured from the great runs of Alan Mortimer Ian Rechner found himself in loads of space down the right. A first time ball into the D saw Jamie Furness pick up his first goal for the team with a composed deflection into the Wallingford net. With half time looming James Rechner and Ian Rechner joined well with Ian Rechner getting his second of the game with a clever dink over the onrushing keeper.

After a brief team photo the Henley squad were rejuvenated with inspirational words of wisdom from the captain Martyn Watkins. The home side continued the pressure with attacks from the midfield of James lane and Nick Shuttleworth. A slicing run from Rupert Wiseman left the ball at Nick Shuttleworth’s feet and he was able to hack the ball past the keeper and into the net. Wallingford started applying some pressure but they couldn’t get past Andy Green and Simon Ward who were the sides’ rocks at the back. Great build up play through the heart of the midfield got the ball to James Rechner who performed a perfectly scuffed shot to confuse the goalkeeper and indeed himself. By this point it was Henley’s game to lose. Great build up play out wide gave Ian Rechner his hat trick with a lovely move around the oncoming goalkeeper. With the end drawing ever nearer the jubilant Henley side won a short corner in the final minute. The whistle was blown signalling the whole Henley team to come and crowd the D. A fast slip to Ian Rechner by Alan Mortimer gave Ian his 4th goal of the game taking his position as top goal scorer to even higher peaks. With this famous victory the Henley side will now look for safety in this division as they begin their long road to the higher divisions.