Visitors hit back to deny Henley Town

THE wet weather once again took its toll on the Thames Valley Premier League fixtures last Saturday.

Of the matches played, in Division 1, ROTHERFIELD UNITED lost out by the odd goal in 11 to promotion-chasing WRAYSBURY. William Beville, Warren Garden, Harry Green, Luke Mullin and Lanny Robb were all on target for the hosts in their 6-5 defeat.

HENLEY TOWN DEVELOPMENT produced a blistering first-half display but were forced to settle for a point in Reserve Division 1 after visitors BERKS COUNTY SPORTS struck twice in the final 20 minutes.

The hosts opened the scoring in classic counter-attacking fashion. A route-one clearance from Ben Palmer sparked the move, with Aiden Rushton showing sharp reactions to latch on to the second ball and drive into the box. His square pass found Sergio Lombardo, who made no mistake from close range to tap home.

Henley doubled their advantage when Andrew Dale delivered a pinpoint cross from wide and Aiden Cameron rose highest to power home a bullet header giving the Berks keeper no chance.

The third came before the break, with Scott Brown applying the finishing touch to cap off a dominant spell. At 3-1 up at half-time, Henley looked in full control and dangerous every time they broke forward. Berks County gradually grew into the game and capitalised late on, pulling one back before finding an equaliser in the final stages to make it 3-3.

In Division 2, HENLEY EXILES went down to a 6-2 home defeat against YATELEY UNITED B.

Following an even start to the match, an error allowed Yateley to take the lead.

Exiles equalised when Michael Whorrell delivered a corner kick into the box and George Munn rose the highest to head home. The home side’s joy was short-lived as Yateley managed to grab a goal before the half-time break.

Henley started the second half well but were hit by a breakaway goal as the visitors went 3-1 up. Exiles fought hard to get back in the game and when Mike Dowling chased down a lost cause to force an error his hard work and endeavour was rewarded with a goal. As the game wore on fatigue started to take its toll on the young Exiles side as the visitors ran in three more goals.

In Division 3, GORING UNITED RESERVES went down to a 5-3 defeat at COOKHAM DEAN RESERVES. Daniel Carter, Robert Eaglesham and Bertie Spencer were all on target for the visitors.

ROTHERFIELD UNITED DEVELOPMENT picked up a point from their 1-1 Division 4 clash at CAMBERLEY UNITED. Rowan Prince netted the visitors’ goal.

l ON Tuesday of last week, WOODCOTE went down to a 4-2 defeat to undefeated Premier Division leaders WESTWOOD WANDERERS on their 4G pitch at Denefield School in Tilehurst. Woodcote’s goals came from good strikes from the in-form Fraser Sharples.