Hat-trick hero Douglas shines in five-star display

HENLEY TOWN got back to winning ways on Saturday when they triumphed 5-1 in their Premier Division clash at SB PHOENIX.

Town started brightly but fell a goal behind in the 14th minute when Fehed Mohammed slid the ball past keeper Perry Howard after a long diagonal pass evaded left back Ashley Field.

Henley equalised five minutes later when a cross from Luke Mulvaney found Savio Patel who neatly tapped home.

The visitors started to control possession and came close when a header from Charlie Dougles hit the crossbar. A well-rehearsed set-piece from a corner led to Town taking the lead after the ball was fed through to Douglas who side-footed low past the home goalkeeper.

Phoenix created a couple of half chances before the interval but Henley came out after the break and dominated the game, bringing on youngsters Adam Palmer and Will Thompson on the right flank.

Both players brought more energy to the team and began linking together well causing the home side problems. Town added a third goal on the hour when a long ball over the top left Douglas one-on-one with the keeper and he made no mistake, coolly sliding the ball under the shot stopper.

Patel scored his second after 65 minutes when the Phoenix goalkeeper fumbled a high cross from Mulvaney and only had to help the ball into the net.

With the points all but secure Town completed the scoring when Douglas brought the ball down in the box and emphatically fired home into the top corner from 15 yards for his hat-trick.

In Division 1, HAMBLEDEN are still seeking their first points of the season after they crashed to a 5-0 home defeat against BURGHFIELD RESERVES.

HENLEY TOWN DEVELOPMENT lost their second Division 2 match of the campaign after going down 4-2 at home to MORTIMER RESERVES.

A sluggish start to the game meant both teams were cancelling each other out until the deadlock was broken on the 35th minute by Mortimer. From a corner, the ball dropped into the box resulting in a goalmouth scramble and several shots blocked before Craig Jarvis slotted into the bottom corner.

Mortimer made it 3-0 when Rory Williams and Casey Warwick added two quick goals.

Henley pulled a goal back early in the second half when midfielder Henry Kew put through striker Hugh Barklem who lobbed the keeper with an audacious chip.

Henley had finally found their rhythm but a mistake from substitute Viktor Csajka let Jack Bates make it 4-1 to Mortimer against the run of play. Henley still showed desire and battling hard to get back into the game won a free kick 35 yards from goal. Cam Roovis fired home a sublime free kick to make it 4-2.

GORING UNITED RESERVES picked up a point after drawing 1-1 away to WRAYSBURY VILLAGE.

The first half was a close affair with chances few and far between. Jack Read-Wilson and Conor Coleman ensured the Wraysbury attack had few chances to trouble Tom Canning in the Goring goal.

Wraysbury came closest to breaking the deadlock when from a corner a powerful header beat Canning but Josh Monk was on the line to turn the ball over the bar.

The second half continued in a similar vein but after 65 minutes the Goring defence were slow to react after Canning palmed away a low effort, the recycled ball being headed home from close range.

The introduction of Tommy Edwards added impetus to the Goring midfield and from his pinpoint free kick Read-Wilson headed home from close range to level the scores.