After last week’s victory, Henley Women’s 3s travelled to South Berks 3s determined to maintain their momentum. Knowing the hosts were also chasing a crucial win, Henley expected a competitive contest and were not disappointed.

The opening 25 minutes were closely fought, with play flowing from end to end and neither side able to gain a clear advantage. South Berks applied pressure and earned four short corners during this period, but Henley’s defensive unit stood firm. The formidable back line of Ang Botha, Fi Dunn, Flo Hughes and Isla Hallett, supported by goalkeeper Jasmine Hillyard, produced a series of crucial interventions to keep the scores level.

The breakthrough finally arrived after 25 minutes. A superb pass from Steph Rowe-Elliot found Katie Lovatt, whose powerful strike forced a save from the South Berks goalkeeper. However, captain Charlotte Irving reacted quickest to the rebound and calmly fired the ball into the bottom left corner to give Henley a deserved 1-0 lead.

At half-time, coach Robyn Smith urged her side to continue their effective passing game while tightening up their first touch. Henley responded perfectly. In the 65th minute, Isla won possession in defence and played the ball down the line to Maeve Moorcroft. Maeve found Katie in the circle, whose shot/pass reached Eva Hughes at the back post to make it 2-0.

Henley managed the closing stages superbly, retaining possession and seeing out an impressive victory that lifts them to fourth place in the league.