Portsmouth sent reeling by Joyce’s penalty flick

HENLEY 1sts ground out a gritty 1-0 home South Central Open Premier Division 2 win against PORTSMOUTH last Saturday.

Both sides struggled to find rhythm, with scrappy midfield exchanges and turnovers characterising much of the game. Henley edged possession but still found it difficult to break down a resolute Portsmouth defence.

The breakthrough came midway through the second quarter, when Henley were awarded a penalty flick after sustained pressure in the D. Rhys Joyce sent the Portsmouth keeper the wrong way to put Henley ahead.

Portsmouth rallied late in the game, pushing for an equaliser, but Henley’s defence held firm. Goalkeeper Lee Rowe-Elliott made several crucial saves, including a sharp stop low to his right that kept the visitors at bay.

Andrew Seimann earned the man-of-the-match honours for his tireless work in midfield.

In Division 2 North, HENLEY 2nds went down to a 2-1 defeat at WYCOMBE 1sts.

The visitors began brightly, asserting control in the opening half hour with patient possession and sharp ball movement. Their early dominance was rewarded when Robbie Farina finished off a slick move at the top of the D following some crisp one-two passing that carved open the Wycombe defence.

A defensive lapse saw Henley concede a penalty flick, which the hosts converted to level the score. Despite the setback, Henley maintained much of the initiative before the break, looking the sharper side across the pitch and limiting Wycombe’s attacking chances.

In the second half momentum began to swing as Henley’s discipline faltered, with a series of cards disrupting their rhythm and forcing them to defend for long periods with reduced numbers. Wycombe capitalised, using an aerial ball to launch a rapid counterattack which they clinically finished to take the lead. Henley struggled to regain their earlier fluency as frustration and ill-discipline compounded their difficulties, while Wycombe managed the game effectively to see out the result.

HENLEY 4ths went down to a 3-0 defeat at AMERSHAM AND CHALFONT 6ths in their Division 1 Thames encounter.

The home side struck early, capitalising on two rapid breakaways that began deep in their own 25 and punished Henley with pace and precision.

Henley settled into the game and began to dictate play through the defensive trio of Edgell, Proudfoot and Ward. Barrass, Batey, Davis and Proudfoot junior worked tirelessly to link defence and attack, helping Henley create pressure down both flanks and sustain momentum in the middle of the pitch.

Despite frequently working the ball into the Amersham D, Henley were unable to find the breakthrough. Penalty corners were won but not converted and chances from open play lacked the composure required to test the Amersham keeper. At the other end, young goalkeeper Tom Chamberlain pulled off several impressive saves to keep Henley in the contest before Amersham added a third to seal the result.