Baker cooks up goal to maintain side’s push for promotion

HENLEY LADIES 1sts secured a South Central Premier Division 2 point as they were held to a goalless draw at SOUTH BERKSHIRE LADIES 1sts last Saturday.

The visitors were missing several regular players and had a limited substitutes bench but started strongly creating numerous attacking opportunities.

The defensive line was solid and composed leaving South Berks little attacking opportunities.

Despite Henley’s significant amount of possession they were not able to capitalise, of note two short corners in the first half which were dealt with by the South Berkshire defence.

The second half was similar to the first, where Henley had a significant share of possession and continued to press the home defence. Some good skills from player-of-the-match Pippi Heath and forward runs by Caitlin Barrass unfortunately came to nothing.

Amelie Bayfield, Lucy Jean Jean, Rachel Herbert and Mel Joyce showed good composure in defence and the short corners the hosts had were managed with ease. Robyn Horgan also showed a commanding performance in goal.

A flurry of short corners for Henley were dealt with and an exceptional save on the line as South Berks denied Rachel Herbert of the winner.

Henley were not able to get the important goal to win the game but a clean sheet and a point still contributes towards their push for promotion.

HENLEY LADIES 2nds continued their push for promotion from South Central Division 3 North as they ran out 1-0 winners at ABINGDON LADIES 1sts.

The match started with a series of odd setbacks for Henley, including the absence of match balls and a last minute reduced squad of just 12 players.

Despite these disruptions, Henley quickly settled into their rhythm, creating several opportunities in the opening stages. A flurry of short corners were either blocked or expertly saved by the agile Abingdon goalkeeper.

Undeterred, Henley continued to apply pressure, with wave after wave of attacks, showing resilience and determination. Eventually their hard work paid off in the second half. A surging attack down the left wing saw player-of-the-match Giorgia Fiorentino deliver a perfect ball into the circle, finding Lily Baker, who calmly lifted the ball over the keeper to break the deadlock. Henley held firm in the final five minutes, even as the match was momentarily disrupted by the umpires calling the game a minute early, only to restart and finish the match moments later.

In South Central Division 2 Thames, HENLEY LADIES 3rds drew 2-2 at home to PHOENIX READING 2nds, in the battle of the divisions two sides with just one point separating them.

Henley goalkeeper Ela Chamberlain made crucial saves throughout the game, maintaining a solid defensive foundation. The backline of Fiona Dunn, Angela Botha, Sophie Pendlebury, Martha Peach, and Flo Hughes worked tirelessly, keeping Phoenix’s attack at bay for the majority of the first half. Their relentless defending ensured Henley went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

In midfield, Ellie Roseff, Poppy Williams, Emily Matthews, Perdy Beard, Fleur Wood and Delphine Roff all contributed well to Henley’s control of the game. Williams and Roseff excelled in the central positions, controlling the tempo and linking the defence with the attack.

Up front, Nina Lloyd and Rosie Wilkinson put constant pressure on Phoenix’s defence. Early in the match, their combination play nearly caught Phoenix off guard, forcing an early shot on goal that set the tone for the rest of the game.

The breakthrough came when Lloyd made a surging run into the D, slipping the ball under her left shoulder to Emily Matthews, who calmly slotted it home.

Wilkinson doubled the advantage shortly after with a well-executed short corner. She injected the ball to player-of-the-match Roseff, who returned it to her, allowing Wilkinson to tap the ball behind the Phoenix goalkeeper, making it 2-0.

Phoenix fought back and after pulling one goal back, Henley’s focus began to slip. With just two minutes left, Phoenix was awarded a short corner and, despite Henley’s protests over the ball appearing to be airborne, the umpire allowed the goal, leveling the score at 2-2.

The final whistle blew with the match ending in a draw, a result that leaves Henley in a tightly contested league, with just two points separating the top five teams. Despite the disappointment of conceding late, Henley should take pride in their performance against a strong side.