Mixed fortunes for Henley sides in shoot-out drama

AFC HENLEY HOTSPURS U16s crashed out of the East Berks League Plate competition after losing on penalties to visitors WINDSOR AND ETON DYNAMOS U16s at Jubilee Park last Saturday.

From the first whistle, the Hotspurs, who were down to the bare 11 players with no substitutes, made their intentions clear. James Noble burst down the left flank with pace, intercepting early play and delivered a dangerous cross into the box.

With a tactical shift to a back three, captain Ollie O’Connor led the defensive line alongside Raiph Surplice and Aarian Atwal, standing tall against Windsor’s physically imposing front line. Their co-ordination and commitment were evident, with O’Connor notably clearing off the line to deny a certain goal.

The Hotspurs faced adversity early on when Phoenix Fletcher, returning from injury, sustained a knock that forced a goalkeeper switch. Ollie McGrath, solid in goal for the first 20 minutes, moved to midfield while Fletcher stepped up between the posts, making crucial saves and interceptions to keep Windsor at bay.

In midfield, Leo Palmer, Oscar Sheppard and Reece Maddams worked hard. Tactical adjustments saw Sheppard shift to the wing and McGrath slot into central midfield with Raphie Barron orchestrating attacks from the central attacking midfield position. The attacking trio of Rupert Pusey-Arsyad, Noble and Sheppard pressed forward, but chances were few and far between as Windsor’s pace and skill on the left tested Henley’s resolve.

In the dying minutes of regular time, Palmer received a throw-in from Atwal just outside the centre circle. With space he unleashed a sublime long-range strike that soared over the keeper and into the net.

Windsor responded instantly, equalising straight from kick-off. With no extra time, the match went straight to penalties.

McGrath returned to goal for the shoot-out and Fletcher stepped up first, powering his shot in despite the keeper’s touch. McGrath then made a stunning save, diving left to deny Windsor’s first. Maddams hit the post and Windsor converted their second. Atwal and Pusey-Arsyad saw their efforts saved, while Palmer scored another unstoppable penalty. Despite Windsor missing one, they edged the shoot-out 3-2.

In the cup competition, AFC HENLEY HURRICANES U15s had to dig deep to progress to the next round of the competition thanks to a 13-12 penalty shoot-out victory at local rivals ROTHERFIELD UNITED U15s.

Rotherfield started the better of the two teams but Will Goulden had the first scoring opportunity for the Hurricanes. The hosts’ fast-paced attack drove them to a 2-0 advantage after 20 minutes.

The Hurricanes pulled a goal back through Oscar Robinson but they were still trailing at the break. The second half saw the Hurricanes equalise through Gabriel Robbins-Cherry, who also hit the post from long range. Rotherfield continued to pose a threat with one shot requiring a fine save from goalkeeper George Hodges, as overall the Hurricanes defended resolutely.

The game went to penalties where the teams were still hard to separate. After five penalties each, the score was 4-4, and after every player had taken one, the score was 10-10. There were chances for the Hurricanes at 4-4 and 12-11, and finally they were able to break through, winning 13-12.

Hurricanes’ man-of-the-match was Luca Currie for a composed and dogged performance in defence.