Attacking play secures win for Henley Ladies 1s

The temperature had finally dropped a little, the conditions were set to be wet, their goalie and the second team keeper were unavailable, however, Henley were not willing to have their spirits dampened. During her team talk, captain Georgie Metcalfe asked her team to focus, set a high tempo and provide a goal within the first five minutes of play. A big ask you may think! Not this week. Henley did exactly as requested. The ball was immediately played forward and Henley were on the attack. Louisa England gained possession of the ball and drove along the base line, into the Maidenhead circle. With such a narrow angle she needed to pick a pass and that she did, finding forward Emma Buckham-Hedges in front of goal and only too happy to slot the ball home. Time on the clock - 1 minute!

Despite the ball being returned to Maidenhead at the restart, it was quickly won back and another attack ensued. A short corner was won and the short corner crew stepped forward. The ball was sent wide of the goal via Rachel Herbert and Jem Barham, and fell to Ellie Roseff on the righthand post, from where she flicked the ball from her reverse stick side sending it spinning over the line. Time on the clock - 3 minutes!

Strangely, after such a fast start, Henley then sat back a little and despite having the lions share of the possession, there were no more goals until the second half.

After the restart, Henley were again the dominant force and from another well won short corner it was the turn of Kat Green. The ball was played straight to her and the defence fell for her cunningly disguised shot the power of which pinged off the defender and into the back of the net - 3-0.

Henley's final goal came from their captain Metcalfe. She picked up the ball and dribbled over the 25 yard line, into the circle and finding a little space she fired the ball home to make it 4-0. Henley were the dominant force throughout, however they were not infallible when, in a surprise counter attack, Maidenhead managed to win a short corner and, after a Henley touch took the ball out of keeper Sarah Drummond reach, won them a late consolation goal.

Special mention should go to Drummond, who, in her first appearance between the first XI posts, had an excellent game with many class clearances and saves.

Team:
G. Metcalfe (cap), S. Drummond (GK), K. Draycott, M. Joyce, K. Green, M. Englemark, R. Herbert, J. Barham, E. Walker, E. Roseff, L. England, E. Hedges, E. Gutteridge

Written by Rachel Herbert