Hepburn and Wigmore goals win derby clash

HENLEY TOWN went down to a 2-0 defeat in their Premier Division derby clash with visitors Wargrave last Saturday.

Wargrave started off brightly and gave the Town defence plenty of early problems looking sharper and quicker before taking the lead after 20 minutes when an excellent cross from Sam Wild to the far post was hooked back for George Hepburn to neatly finish past keeper Isaac Aitchison.

Henley responded well and came close to an equaliser with an Alex Walmsley header, a shot blocked from Mike Classen and Charlie Douglas heading wide from five yards out.

Early in the second half Henley almost levelled the scores when Dan York was put through with a pass from Luke Mulvaney but he was unable to get his shot on target.

For the remainder of the game Wargrave were much the better side with the majority of possession and added a second goal after 55 minutes when Joe Wigmore scored following a corner by Matt Laverty.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men on 60 minutes when Hepburn, already having been booked, was shown a second yellow card and his marching orders after slipping into a tackle with the referee deeming it to be dangerous play.

Henley never looked like getting back into the game and were fortunate not to concede further goals

GORING UNITED put in a solid performance with a convincing 7-0 win at WOODLEY UNITED DEVELOPMENT in their Division 1 clash.

Goring opened the scoring after five minutes when Lew Watson allowed Matt Hayden’s through ball to pass through his legs to Josh Monk who slotted home.

Five minutes later Monk played a ball through to Chris Pocock whose pace allowed him to run clear of the defence and finish comfortably.

Monk added a third from a quick throw by Dan Franklin for a 3-0 half-time lead.

Pocock added a fourth soon after the restart before Jamie Taylor cleverly finished off following a long ball from goalkeeper Tom Canning. Taylor smashed home a sixth before substitute Harry Voice sealed the win with the last kick of the match.

In Division 2, HENLEY TOWN DEVELOPMENT went down to a 2-1 defeat at Sol Jol Park against ALLIED COMMUNITY ELITE.

Town started well and it took only three minutes for a chance that fell for Cam Roovis but he couldn’t convert against the on-rushing keeper with his shot going over the bar.

Henley kept the pressure on with more chances and having the majority of the ball, some good wing play from player manager Arran Finch, who beat his man to get a cross into the box where debutant Emil Rayfield saw his shot deflected wide for a corner.

On 26 minutes deep in Allied community Elite’s half, right back Alex Jackson launched a long throw into the box where centre midfielder Jimmy Maudlin rose highest to flick the ball behind him with a header where Emil Rayfield tapped the ball home for the opening goal. Town were in control and had the ball in the back of the net once again through Rayfield but the referee dissallowed the goal for offside.

Moments later the town were attacking again with Alex Jackson who shot from 25 yards out but his effort crashed against the bar and went out for a goal kick.

A lapse in concentration just before half time resulted in Allied Community Elite finding an equaliser against the run of play.

Allied Community Elite had more of the ball in the second half and their efforts were rewarded on the 65th minute when a shot went beyond the reach of Town goalie Perry Howard to give them the lead.

With 10 minutes left Town applied pressure with some good balls into and across the box but Allied Community Elite held on to secure the points.

In Division 3, GORING UNITED RESERVES went down to a 5-1 home defeat against WRAYSBURY VILLAGE. Daniel Carter was on target for the hosts in the first half.