Hotspurs hit back with five-star performance

AFC HENLEY HOTSPURS U17s ran out 5-2 winners in their home clash with HEARTS OF TEDLOTHIAN JAGUARS U17s last Saturday.

Henley maintained their pattern of slow starts and the Jaguars capitalised early. Within the opening minutes, an unmarked header from a corner saw the Jaguars take the lead.

The game settled into an even contest until the
25 minute mark when Henley began to exert pressure but despite pinning the Jaguars back and creating chances, the hosts could not find an equaliser before half-time.

The second half started in similar fashion with the Jaguars doubling their advantage with a simple finish from a cross within the first minute after the break.

Henley responded as Hudson Sayer made a strong run from the left and won a penalty, which Tom Butterworth converted. Shortly after, Charlie Oldham found Jeremy Rubio on the right, who finished calmly past the goalkeeper to make it 2-2.

As the match progressed, Henley continued to create chances. Tom Butterworth struck the post with a powerful effort and a chaotic pinball sequence in the box somehow failed to go in. Another flurry saw three shots blocked in rapid succession. With just six minutes remaining Henley scored a flurry of goals.

Finn Dimmestol weaved into the left side of the penalty area, and under pressure from the goalkeeper, delivered a cross to the penalty spot where Corey Sartin side-footed into the empty net to make it 3-2. Soon after Harry Rechner intercepted a loose goal kick and fired it into the top right-hand corner.

In the final minute, Oldham assisted once again, setting up Finn Dimmestol to drill a shot into the bottom left corner.