In the sunny prime time midday slot, the Women’s 2s welcomed Oxford 3s. Looking to build on recent results, the team started very brightly, with good structure, pressing and passing. A combination of skills from Chloe Lyons and Bea Watts saw an early short corner won, which Lyons cracked home for a straight strike opener.

Henley maintained the pressure and were breaking with pace and precision to create multiple openings and really challenge the Oxford keeper. Rachel Herbert, Mel Joyce and Giorgia Fiorentino were tidying up everything at the back and distributing solid passes forward. The next goal came from persistence down the left from Hayley Munt, who took on a defender and found Lyons in the D. A goalmouth scramble ensued, an Oxford defender saved on the line, but her clearance was swept home by Watts for 2-0 Henley.

Time for one more goal in the half. Tenacious midfield work from Olivia Callaway and then Sophy Rogers saw a fabulous pass into Emma Buckham-Hedges at the top of the D, who laid the ball off nicely to Lyons to pass on to the back post for Amelie Bayfield to tip home with her long reach! 3-0 Henley at half time.

Henley started the second half where they finished the first - Tilly Alderton, Kirsten Botha and Sophie Miller often winning the ball and driving from midfield and feeding the forwards. The pressure in Oxford’s half paid off quickly, with Lyons intercepting a hit out on her reverse, lifting it over the final defender’s stick and dodging the onrushing goalkeeper to slot home the 4th.

A few minutes later another interception saw Munt drive into the D, draw the keeper and find a well timed pass across for Lyons to add the 5th and complete her hatrick.

5 goals to the good, Henley suffered a bit of a dip, and Oxford grew in confidence. Despite some great last ditch defending, especially from short corners, from Alyx Clarke in particular, and a few good snap saves from Georgie Grocock in goal, Oxford did bundle a goal in and then sustained a period of pressure. However, it was not enough - Henley rallied and their domination returned, leaving them to celebrate a well deserved win.