Buckham-Hedges nets treble in five-star display

SOUTH Central Women’s Premier Division league leaders HENLEY LADIES 1sts secured a 4-2 win at AMERSHAM AND CHALFONT LADIES 1sts last Saturday.

The visitors opened the scoring from a penalty corner after the initial shot was saved, with Charlotte Hetherington calmly finishing off the rebound from the post.

The hosts equalised before half-time, but Henley came out firing in the third quarter, with Emma Joseph making key interceptions and Rachel Herbert breaking the press with powerful hits from the back.

Henley regained the lead through a fine individual run from Emma Jean-Jean around multiple players, finished by a left-foot pass to Lucy Jean-Jean whose lifted shot looped over the keeper into the back of the net.

Another penalty corner followed, with a rebound off Ella Shute tapped home again by Hetherington, before Herbert capped off the impressive performance with a strong strike that deflected off a home defender and over the keeper into the net.

Daisy Ruhle, stepping in for Anjana Sothynathan, delivered a solid performance in goal, helping maintain control throughout the second half.

HENLEY LADIES 2nds ran out 5-0 winners away at AYLESBURY LADIES 1sts in their Division 2 North encounter.

Henley struck first after five minutes through Hayley Munt, who received the ball from Kirsten Botha on the edge of the D, and coolly slotted the ball straight through the goalkeeper’s legs for the opener.

Moments later Jenny Buckham-Hedges doubled the lead with a deft deflection from a well-placed ball that left the keeper no chance.

The third goal came from a well-worked short corner leading to a scrappy goalmouth scramble ending with Jenny Buckham-Hedges on hand to tap the ball home for her second of the day.

The second half began with Henley on the front foot. A fine move down the right saw Maisie Robinson fire a pinpoint pass forward. Emma Buckham-Hedges deflected it neatly into Jenny’s path, who danced past two defenders, rounded the keeper, and calmly finished to complete her hat-trick and make it 4-0.

The final goal came from Hayley Munt, who latched on to another fine ball from Robinson, sold the defender a dummy, and finished in style.

HENLEY LADIES 3rds secured a 2-0 home Division 2 Thames win against SOUTH BERKSHIRE LADIES 4ths.

Henley dominated with an aggressive attacking style, creating numerous chances inside the D. The breakthrough came when Jo Corbett sprinted down the left wing, cut inside and fired a shot at goal. Although the keeper made the initial save, Corbett reacted quickly and slotted home the rebound.

The second goal showcased some good play from Lizzie Briscoe at right wing, who powered down the right flank, weaving past four defenders before delivering a dangerous ball across the D. A flurry of attempts followed from Charlotte Irving and Ingrid Johnston-Leene, but it was Poppy Williams who finally found the backboard, sealing the
2-0 lead.

South Berkshire responded with a physical defensive approach, making it a tough contest. Both sides picked up green cards as the intensity rose, but Henley maintained composure and control throughout, particularly in defence, to secure victory.