The Ladies 2s had a sunny, early home fixture against a Slough 2s side that have had a tough season and sit bottom of South Central Division 2 North. A professional win would secure promotion and bring a league win very close indeed, so Captain Emma Buckham-Hedges urged a relentless approach and continued to drum home that point throughout the game, leading by example with selfless runs and clever passes in and around the D.

Slough, only able to bring 10 players, set up deep and defensive, taking the pace out of the game, which took some getting used to for a Henley side used to tearing out of the blocks.

Eventually, however, Henley’s passing game and persistence paid off when, around 10 minutes into the game, great work from Harri Hayes saw the ball fall in the D to Chloe Lyons, who sprinted across, taking the ball on her reverse and flicked the ball into the net to open the scoring.

Henley settled into a better rhythm probing down the wings, and a few minutes later, Hayley Munt, cameoing at left midfield, dribbled into the 25 and expertly hit the ball to the back post to the waiting Harri, who finished calmly - the pick of the goals and a moment of real quality.

Henley’s subs brought fresh energy and a fast and skilful run from Ellia Gurney saw her find a great pass to Chloe in the D. Lyons went on to turn and hit sharply, the shot on target, but beating the very good Slough keeper due to a slight deflection off a defensive stick. Amelie Bayfield and Ellia were causing a lot of problems for Slough on the wings and it started to feel like another goal was inevitable.

Time for more Henley changes and more probing - now from Ellie Roseff’s driving midfield runs and team combinations down the left, often starting with centre back Giorgia Fiorentino and finding Izzy Woolfrey or Sophy Rogers to get attacks started. Slough maintained good discipline despite the frequent switches in play but there was time for one more Henley goal in the half, a melee in the D latched onto by Hayley to slam the ball home from close range.

After a half time pep talk from coach, Hayley Rogers, to try and up the intensity and speed of play, the team responded. Munt scored again, this time a well worked short corner back to her as the injector to touch and finish, before Harri scored almost a carbon copy of her first goal by finishing calmly at the back post as the ball came across from the wing.

The 7th, and final Henley goal came midway through the half, where, like last week, Lily Baker was first to react to a short corner rebound at the keeper’s feet.

The Slough keeper made some more great saves and Henley’s finishing wasn’t perhaps at clinical as usual, but Henley continued to apply pressure and saw out the win untroubled defensively. Keeper, Georgie Grocock only getting one touch in the game (which she carried out with aplomb!).

A draw or win next week would be enough for the Ladies 2s to be crowned league champions at Maidenhead, with a game to spare.