Ellis is spot on as side gain first win of season

AFC HENLEY HURRICANES U15s chalked up their first East Berks League victory of the season last Saturday, winning 4-3 against WOODLEY WANDERERS AND YOUTH HAWKS U15s.

The Hurricanes had the first meaningful shot, the culmination of a solid move started by Bruce Cuzen, whilst Oscar Robinson’s shot from Gabriel Robbins-Cherry’s long ball was just over the bar.

The pressure finally brought dividends when Benji Rilett’s ball from the back was collected by Rupert Hepburn, whose cross to Robinson was slotted home.

Slightly against the run of play the Hawks found an equaliser from a corner that was not cleared at the back post. The Hurricanes were ahead again by half-time after Tommy Greenham collected the ball on the edge of the box and slid it under the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.

The Hurricanes added their third after a quarter of an hour’s play in the second half. Robbins-Cherry’s long free kick found Robinson, who took the ball on the chest and volleyed home. Hurricanes soon had another when Dominic Ellis’s mazy run from the halfway line was brought to an abrupt halt in the box. He made no mistake with the resulting penalty.

Any notion that the game was finished was dispelled when the Hawks scored a penalty of their own, and added another from a cross into a crowded box.

The Hawks pushed hard for another goal but the Hurricanes held their nerve to secure the win.

AFC HENLEY GIRLS U15s crashed out of the cup competition on penalties after holding Division 2 side WARGRAVE VIPERS U15s to a 2-2 draw.

Henley dominated the early exchanges with Abigail Palmer impressive in midfield and putting an early ball through to release Ava Douglas whose run and cross resulted in a shot from fullback Amelia Joao being saved by the goalkeeper. Henley took the lead after 15 minutes when a ball down the line from Kalypso Vogel was chased by Ava Douglas who won the ball and scored from an acute angle.

Shortly after, Darcy Potter was presented with a shooting opportunity from the right side of the penalty area, but her shot was gathered by the keeper.

AFC Henley were doing well down the wings and a powerful run by Eliza Browne troubled the Wargrave defence with Douglas getting a shot away from the opposite wing three minutes later.

Wargrave produced a chance after 31 minutes but Sophie Moulds made a fine double save to retain the lead. Soon after Wargrave equalised with a 25-yard volley.

In the second half, it was still Henley dominating possession but just not able to turn this into goals as the Vipers defence was resolute.

Vipers remained dangerous on the break and Sophie Moulds was well positioned to save after a Wargrave forward broke through the otherwise well-organised Henley defence.

Despite wave after wave of Henley attacks, it was Wargrave that snatched the lead. A rare sortie up field resulted in a corner which was scored at the near post at the second attempt following an initial good save from Moulds.

Parity was restored two minutes later when a cross from Douglas was turned into the goal by a Wargrave defender under pressure from Romy Draper.

The remainder of the game was played almost exclusively in the Wargrave half but Henley couldn’t make the breakthrough.

Despite Henley’s dominance, the game went to penalties. Henley missed their first two penalties and despite Lloyd converting the third, the visitors ran out 3-1 victors.

AFC HENLEY HORNETS U14s ran out 3-1 winners in their Division 3 clash with MAIDENHEAD UNITED U14s at Shiplake Memorial Ground.

Playing uphill in the first half, an injury-hit Hornets side started brightly. After 10 minutes, Henley took the lead through a Candilio corner which evaded everyone in the box.

Henley extended their lead on
25 minutes with a fine team goal following a sequence of neat passing between Hepburn, Bowen, Candilio and Peiris with Dorata firing home.

On the stroke of half-time, Maidenhead were handed a lifeline when they scored from the penalty spot.

On the hour mark Henley regained control when Candilio floated a free kick into the box for Bowen to calmly slot past the Maidenhead goalkeeper.

On Sunday AFC HENLEY U14s ran out 6-3 winners in their Wycombe and South Bucks clash with AYLESBURY VALE DYNAMOS U14s.

Henley started brightly and took the lead inside five minutes when Hepburn curled the ball into the top corner after being played through by Torreiro. Aylesbury hit back quickly, but Henley’s response was instant, Lovelock finding space on the left for Hepburn to make it 2-1.

Moments later a Candilio corner caused problems in the box and Hepburn pounced to complete his hat-trick. Aylesbury reduced the deficit before the break to trail 3-2 at half-time.

The hosts levelled early in the second half, but Clayton restored Henley’s lead after sharp movement at the far post, drilling home from another Torreiro delivery. Soon after, Torreiro produced a fine solo effort, beating several defenders before slotting home to make it 5-3.

The scoring was rounded off hen Torreiro surged from his own half, cutting through the Aylesbury defence before smashing home Henley’s sixth goal of the game.