Henley Ladies 2s continued their push for promotion with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Abingdon in challenging circumstances. With just six matches remaining in the season, Henley knew every point was crucial as they headed to Abingdon for this important clash.

The match started with a series of odd setbacks for Henley, including the absence of match balls and a last minute reduced squad of just 12 players. Despite these disruptions, Henley quickly settled into their rhythm, creating several opportunities in the opening stages. A flurry of short corners were either blocked or expertly saved by the agile Abingdon goalkeeper.

Undeterred, Henley continued to apply pressure, with wave after wave of attacks, showing resilience and determination. Eventually, their hard work paid off in the second half. A surging attack down the left wing saw Giorgia Fiorentino (Player of the Match) deliver a perfect ball into the circle, finding Lily Baker, who calmly lifted the ball over the keeper to break the deadlock.

Henley held firm in the final five minutes, even as the match was momentarily disrupted by the umpires calling the game a minute early, only to restart and finish the match moments later. Despite the oddities, Henley’s defense held strong, and they saw the game out to claim the win.

It was a well-played contest with Henley showing both grit and skill throughout. The hard work and core values instilled by Coach Hayley Rogers were evident in every aspect of the team’s play, with Henley demonstrating the teamwork, sportsmanship, and technical ability that will be key to their promotion ambitions.

Next up for Henley is a crucial clash against Sonning – a must-win game that could prove pivotal in their promotion push.