Ladies 1s triumph over West Hampstead

Henley set the pace of the game from the start, with strong attacks led by midfielders Lou England and Ellie Roseff. West Hampstead’s goalkeeper did well to keep the ball from going in, but Henley’s persistent attacks soon paid off. Defender Mel Joyce skilfully dribbled passed several defenders before sending the ball to forward Hannah Jeremy, who was patiently waiting on the base line. Jeremy carefully dribbled along the line before sending a simple but accurate ball to the far post where Emma Buckham-Hedges was ready and waiting to slot the ball in the goal.

West Hampstead responded with fast and strong attacks, causing slight panic in Henley’s ranks. Despite many incredible saves by goalkeeper Hannah Lavis, West Hampstead managed to bobble the ball over several sticks and despite defender Kat Green’s diving attempt, it trickled over the goal line, levelling the score.

Despite this slight wobble, Henley Ladies defiantly strode out for the second half, determined that the only outcome could be a win. Forwards Charlotte Cockerton and Flic Jefferis took a battering up front, but remained focused winning penalties. Henley’s short corner routine practices were finally rewarded when Green uniquely fired a disguised pass straight through the goal keeper and into the goal.

Again, an onslaught of West Hampstead attacks pursued, but Henley’s chief defender, Kath Draycott, kept the calm, with Jem Barham and Emma Walker barricading the middle of the pitch. An attack up the right hand side by midfielder Katie Butler before offloading to England in the middle, opened a gap in West Hampstead’s defence. England fired the ball to captain Georgie Metcalfe at the top of the D, who turned and fired a reverse shot into the net. Henley’s nerves were calmed and with 5 minutes to go, victory was sealed.

Man of the match was awarded to Goalkeeper Hannah Lavis.