Newbury hit back to earn share of spoils

HENLEY 1sts lost their first South Central Open Premier Division 2 match of the season last Saturday when they went down 5-2 to OXFORD OBU at Oxford Brookes Sports Centre.

The damage was done in the first half as the hosts raced into a 4-0 lead.

The second half saw a change in fortunes when Henley captain Ed Foster scored a short corner followed by a goal for Adam Herbert after a breakdown in play saw him with the opportunity to fire the ball home for his first of the season.

The upturn was short lived as Henley took the risk of playing without a keeper to try and press home but a breakaway saw OBU score their fifth in the keeperless Henley goal.

In Division 2 North, HENLEY 2nds drew 1-1 at home to NEWBURY AND THATCHAM 2nds.

Henley started brightly with good passing and movement through the lines. Their early pressure quickly earned a short corner, which Tim Herbert fired home.

As the match wore on, Newbury and Thatcham began to assert themselves in midfield, winning more of the second balls and gradually turning territory into chances before scoring to make it 1-1.

Despite late efforts from both sides, neither could carve out a decisive opening in the closing stages.

HENLEY 4ths went down to a 2-0 Division 1 Thames defeat at SLOUGH SWIFTS 3rds.

Slough fielded a youthful development side bolstered by several experienced players.

Henley, still adjusting to the absence of several regulars, produced moments of promising hockey. When they moved the ball quickly, their passing was crisp and coordinated but too often attacks broke down through overcomplicated runs or misplaced passes. Slough took the lead midway through the first half from a penalty corner, their sweeper firing powerfully into the top-left corner.

Henley responded well, with Gilligan orchestrating play from midfield and driving attacks down both flanks. Returning player Ewan Watkins also impressed, putting in a solid performance.

The visitors created several chances and forced a number of penalty corners, but the Slough defence held firm. As the light faded late in the match, visibility became an issue for both sides. Slough capitalised on a loose ball to score their second and seal victory.

The previous week in Division 3 Thames, HENLEY 5ths lost out 3-1 at home to WALLINGFORD WANDERERS 5ths.

The game began scrappily and Henley found themselves trailing after just two minutes following an early Wallingford goal.

The match continued at a frenetic pace with end-to-end action, but Henley struggled to find the rhythm. Against the run of play, a swift counterattack saw Nicholas Segrue thread a pass to Noel Williams, who found Ewan Watkins unmarked in the D to slot home the equaliser.

Wallingford responded with sustained pressure and despite strong performances from Nick Shuttleworth and Adam Warner at the heart of Henley’s defence, the visitors regained the lead from a well-worked short corner on the stroke of half-time.

Henley showed resilience in the second half, battling hard to get back into the game. Wallingford’s movement and pressure proved too much, and the away team’s dominance in Henley’s half eventually told, sealing the win with a third goal. HENLEY 5ths, featuring several Back2Hockey players, returned to winning ways last Saturday as they defeated visitors SLOUGH DESPONDENTS 4ths 3-2.

Slough took an early goal with some skilful stick work in open play despite the best efforts of Henley goalkeeper Shanx Tandon in his first game.

Henley bounced back with a goal from young Zac Viney followed by a second from right winger Sam Austin whose searing pace down the touchline saw him veer into the D to give Henley a 2-1 lead.

Henley forwards Duncan Gray and JP Watts, playing in his first Henley game, continued to exert pressure on the Slough opponents but a break in play down into the Henley quarter saw the visitors score to make it 2-2.

In the second half the centre mid-field were held together by Alex Woolfrey, Charlie Tyler-Chamberlain and Ian Rechner with Jon Williams in a sweeping position making some good clearances.

Newcomer Charlie Phipps drilled the ball into the back board to give Henley a 3-2 lead from broken play off a short corner.

Slough put pressure on the defensive trio of Adam Warner, Nick Shuttleworth and Clint Botha who managed to withstand further attempts at goal to secure the three points.

l Anyone interested in starting or restarting playing hockey in the Back2Hockey scheme should contact samuelaustin@hotmail.com for further information. Sessions are held at Jubilee Park (by Tesco) on Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.