AN own goal was enough to decide last Saturday’s South Clubs’ League Division 2 encounter at Jubilee Park as the amber and blues completed the double over their south coast rivals.

Henley started the game at an intense pace and good pressing across the park meant that the visitors struggled time and again to work the ball into the Henley half. After 10 minutes a run from midfielder Lyn finished with a shot that was turned into their own net by a Brighton defender.

Henley did not let up and continued to press but were thwarted by the in-form visiting goalkeeper.

The second half was the same pattern of play as the first with the Henley defence calm and composed as they repelled any Brighton attack while and the midfield were winning most 50/50 battles.

Henley went close to adding further goals to their tally but in the end had to settle for the one. The results leaves Henley in third spot in the league with seven matches remaining.


l Midfielder Becky Karver played her last match for the club on Saturday before returning to the USA.











HENLEY LADIES secured their place in the quarter-finals of the EHB Investec Trophy after a tense penalty shoot-out win at Newent on Sunday.

The visitors had the worst possible start to the game and some sloppy play and nervous passing soon saw them 3-0 down after 20 minutes.

Henley pulled a goal back through midfielder Lyn just before the break.

The second half saw a much improved display from Henley as they soon mounted attack after attack.

Good play by forward Orla Brown and midfielder Lou England soon had Newent on the back foot, but with seven minutes remaining Henley still hadn’t reduced the arrears.

However, good work by coach Vicky Browne who got the ball forward to Lyn who managed to break free in the circle before firing home.

In the final minutes of the match Henley were awarded a penalty corner. Captain Rachel Herbert stepped up and struck the ball with ferocity to equalise and take the tie to extra time.

Following a goalless extra time the match was decided on penalty strokes. Whilst the stroke takers performed well it was goalkeeper Sam Wormold-Smith who was the hero, saving two of the Newent strokes and sending her side into the quarter finals where they will travel to Colchester on Sunday, February 24.

Published 11/02/13