Victory for Valiant Men's 4s

A rearranged game was Henley’s next task and they set off with a strong team on the long journey to Leighton Buzzard.

Henley started the game as the stronger of the two sides winning a penalty flick inside the first few minutes. Resident goal scorer Ian Rechner stepped up to take the flick, but the harsh “ding” of the ball hitting the post sent shock waves through the whole pitch. The Henley side did not let this get them down however as Fred Newbold caused mayhem within the Leighton defence winning short corner after short corner. Henley were not able to capitalise however, and the Leighton Buzzard side flipped the cards and began to attack. They won a short corner halfway through the first half and scored, flicking the ball into the net. Tensions began to rise and Ewan Watkins got a yellow card in a desperate attempt to win the ball back. This did not cause Henley heads to drop as the ten men of Henley scored with James Rechner flicking the ball into the empty net after a sterling run by Ian Rechner.

After half time Henley came out all guns blazing and piled on the pressure to the somewhat weakened Buzzard defence. Henley won a short corner and on the second time of asking Fred Newbold hit the ball past the despairing Leighton Buzzard keeper. Leighton Buzzard started to attack the Henley defence but Simon Ward and Andy Green were able to stay strong and divert their chances. Towards the end of the second half Henley mounted one last attack with Ewan Watkins providing a slicing ball across the whole pitch to Ian Rechner who converted calmly. Tensions began to rise again and in an attempt to keep all three points Ed Newbold got a yellow card and had to sit the rest of the game out. With the last attack of the game Leighton Buzzard grabbed a consolation goal but it was not enough top spoil Henley’s valiant day.

EW