Captain’s late goal earns share of spoils for league leaders

SKIPPER Ed Foster scored a late equalising goal to ensure HENLEY 1sts remained top of South Central Open Premier Division 2 following last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to OXFORD HAWKS 2nds.

Henley took the lead in the first half, with Rhys Joyce converting a penalty flick. Ed Foster’s powerful drag flick was blocked illegally by a defender on the goal line.

Oxford Hawks quickly responded, finding the net twice to edge ahead as the game wore on.

Henley fought back, and with just three minutes remaining, it was Foster who proved to be the hero, scoring a vital equaliser to level the scores.

Both teams pushed hard in the final minutes, but neither could find the decisive goal, leaving both sides with a point each for their efforts.

In Division 2 North, HENLEY 2nds went down to a 3-1 defeat at OXFORD 3rds.

The home team made an early breakthrough, capitalising on a loose passage of play to take the lead and set the tone for a cagey first half. Both teams produced periods of end-to-end hockey, but clear chances were limited.

Henley worked their way back into the game and found an equaliser through Nico Jean-Jean. However, a series of basic errors in possession prevented Henley from building sustained pressure, allowing Oxford to regain control.

The hosts continued to look the stronger side and added two more goals to make it 3-1. Despite Henley’s efforts to respond in the second half, they were unable to overturn the deficit.

HENLEY 4ths secured a 6-1 home Division 1 Thames win against WYCOMBE 4ths.

Visitors Wycombe started full of energy and intent, but Henley’s quality was clear, with Ali Slay quickly taking control of midfield and the combination of Mike Woolfrey, Jodie Measures and Dom Proudfoot dominating the right-hand side of the pitch.

Henley took the lead with a move down the right resulting in a deflected shot being poked home by David Corke at the far post. And much as Wycombe worked hard, Henley’s dominance resulted in a short corner just before the break, which Measures put away for a 2-0 half-time lead.

The second half saw more attacking intensity, with Cork scoring another close-range goal, Ewan Watkins scoring two with deft deflections and Measures scoring another from a short corner.

In the last couple of minutes, a lapse in concentration resulted in Wycombe scoring a consolation goal.

In Division 3 Thames, league leaders HENLEY 5ths went down to a 2-1 defeat at STAINES 5ths.

Starting with 10 players, Henley started brightly, moving the ball around a midfield diamond of Ed Newbold, Simon Taylor, Phil Biggs and Sam Austin. Henley held the ball well, and moved well off it to create space for movement. However, the player deficit began to tell, and as Staines rotated their squad the pace allowed them to gain an early dominance.

Despite determined defending from Piers Edgell, Jon Williams and Dan Bradbury, and some good saves from stand-in goalkeeper Dave Rechner, Staines were able to score twice in the first half. Henley played themselves back into the game by slowing the pace down and holding the ball. Forwards JP Watts and Noel Williams made penetrating runs and began to see more goal opportunities.

With 10 minutes of the first half to go, Henley won a sideline ball which was taken quickly by Austin who slipped it sideways to Bradbury. Holding the ball up he spotted Austin’s run in from the wing and he ran in on goal and deftly slipped it to Williams to tap in. The celebrations were amplified by the timely arrival of the 11th player, Rupert Wiseman, who injected much needed pace ahead of half-time.

The second half saw some good play from Henley, creating opportunities but they were unable to capitalise on. Staines made several promising attacks which were snuffed out by Ed Newbold, who had swapped with Rechner following injury: Newbold’s dynamism and agility between the posts gave Henley their man-of-the-match and the honours for the second half were even.