Wilkinson at the double as side maintain unbeaten run

HENLEY LADIES 1sts went down to a 3-2 defeat at a wind-swept FAREHAM 1sts during last Saturday’s South Central Women’s Premier Division 1 clash.

Henley’s forwards were quick off the mark to close down play, while Billie Moore held firm in defence, sweeping up loose balls at the back before the hosts took the lead.

Soon after Emma Joseph delivered a lovely slap straight into the back corner from a short corner to equalise.

Lucy Wiseman, positioned at the top of the D, connected and with a deflection from Charlotte Hetherington sent the ball crashing into the left post to put Henley 2-1 at half-time.

In the second half Moore was shown a green card, leaving the defence unsettled and Fareham capitalised, converting two short corners to reclaim the lead.

In the final quarter Henley dug deep, keeping Fareham out of the D and breaking quickly on the counter but despite some promising fast breaks, they struggled to convert and went down by a single goal.

In cold, rainy conditions, HENLEY LADIES 2nds secured all three points from their Division 2 North trip to SLOUGH 2nds as they triumphed 4-2.

Slough took the lead with a fine breakaway goal. In the second half Lily Baker drove at pace before firing home the equaliser. Slough dug in with several solo runs before finally retaking the lead.

Henley’s response was immediate. Continued pressure earned the visitors a penalty flick after a Slough defender stopped the ball on the line, and Chloe Lyons stepped up to bury it past the keeper to make it 2-2.

Henley began to find their true rhythm and a strong midfield run from Issy Woolfrey created space, feeding the ball through to Lyons, who finished clinically to put Henley ahead for the first time.

With two minutes left, Henley’s persistence paid off when a well-executed short corner routine found Hayley Munt, who calmly slotted home the final goal.

HENLEY LADIES 3rds delivered a dominant performance as they ran out 3-0 Division 2 Thames winners against STAINES 3rds to extend their unbeaten run to six matches.

From the first whistle, Henley controlled possession and dictated the pace and the opening goal came when Rosie Wilkinson capitalised on a defensive gap, finishing clinically after a well-timed pass from Fleur Wood.

The second goal saw Lizzie Briscoe drive down the wing, firing multiple attempts before finally slotting the ball home.

In the second half, Henley continued to press, and Wilkinson added her second by smartly deflecting a powerful strike from captain Charlotte Irving into the goal.

Ingrid Johnston-Leene, stepping in as goalkeeper, was outstanding and earned player-of-the-match honours with crucial saves that preserved a clean sheet.

Midfielders Jules Tomlinson and Maeve Moorcroft applied constant pressure, ensuring Henley dominated territory and possession throughout.

In Division 4 Thames, HENLEY LADIES 4ths eased to a comfortable 7-1 win at STAINES 4ths.

Henley started with immediate pressure, dominating play in the opening minutes. A strong driving run from Tilly Alderton earned an early short corner, which Kat Green dispatched with ease for
1-0.

Captain Ali Jean-Jean soon doubled the lead and moments later a sharp baseline pass found Charlotte Clarke, who finished cleanly for 3-0 at half-time.

The second half saw Staines return with renewed energy, forcing Henley’s defence into action. Isla Hallett, Hattie Wheeler and Autumn Renshaw worked tirelessly to block attacks, with Renshaw producing a fine goal-line save. Staines eventually converted their second short corner to pull one back.

Henley hit back as Tilly Alderton struck again, Amy Hill delivered a powerful goal past the keeper before Katherine Alderton smashed home a high finish from an Ali Jean-Jean cross. The final flourish came from Bea Watts, who danced through the defence to score Henley’s seventh and secure the player-of-the-match award.