Five-star Henley keep promotion push alive

HENLEY LADIES 1sts slipped to fourth place in the South Central Women’s Premier Division 1 table after going down 2-1 against READING LADIES 3rds at Jubilee Park last Saturday.

Henley made a strong start in the first quarter, applying early pressure. Both sides looked dangerous moving forward but a tight midfield battle denied either team a clear chance on goal.

The second quarter saw Reading push hard with a series of short corners, all of which were expertly defended by Henley thanks to several good saves from goalkeeper Anjana Sothynathan.

Henley turned defence into attack with a fine move as Caitlin Barrass intercepted a pass on the halfway line and played the ball square to Emma Jean-Jean. The youngster then drove down the right before returning the ball to Barrass. Continuing her run, she took on the keeper, slotting the ball neatly past her to give Henley the lead.

Reading responded with increased intensity, capitalising on a brief lapse from Henley to score an equaliser, followed shortly by a second goal to turn the game around.

Henley fought hard in the closing stages, led by Keira Halloran’s attacking pressure as they searched for a late equaliser, but despite their efforts they were unable to find a leveller.

In Division 2 North, HENLEY LADIES 2nds ran out 5-2 winners against STAINES LADIES 1sts in the battle between the two promotion-chasing sides.

From the opening minutes, the Henley midfield won the early battles and their intensity paid off when a move down the right-hand side saw Amelie Bayfield reach an unreachable ball and cross it to Hayley Munt to score.

Henley began to dominate possession, stretching Staines across the pitch. Their pressure earned them a short corner and Maisie Robinson stepped up to unleash a straight strike that doubled the advantage. Staines struggled to find a breakthrough, repeatedly shut down by Henley’s solid back three.

In the second half the home side extended their lead when Munt drove down the right and fed the ball to Bayfield to slot home.

Staines attempted to hit back with a few second-half breaks, but Henley’s midfield and defence tracked back well with goalkeeper Georgie Grocock producing several fine saves in the final quarter to maintain control.

Henley’s pressure eventually told when Munt, receiving a well weighted pass from Sophy Rogers with her back to goal, spun sharply and buried her second of the match to make it 4-0.

Staines rallied late on, snatching two goals and momentarily catching Henley on the back foot, but the hosts never lost their composure.

Henley had the final say when Bayfield drove down the wing and cut along the baseline. She danced past a pair of defenders and guided the ball towards Gibbon, whose touch sent the ball rocketing into the roof of the net.

HENLEY LADIES 3rds extended their unbeaten run in Division 2 Thames as they drew 2-2 at WALLINGFORD LADIES 4ths.

The game started brightly for Henley with Fleur Wood calmly converting a fine pass from Lizzie Briscoe to give the visitors an early lead. Wallingford responded quickly, stringing together a slick series of passes to level the score.

Henley regained the advantage when Jo Corbett unleashed a powerful strike that flew past two defenders and the goalkeeper. Wallingford refused to back down and capitalised on a penalty corner, bringing the score to 2-2 by half-time.

The second half was a tense, end-to-end battle. Henley created multiple chances from Rosie Wilkinson and Emily Matthews but Wallingford’s keeper stood firm.

Frustration grew after a few disagreements culminating in a green card for Fiona Dunn. Once composure was regained, Ingrid Johnston-Leene made a fine run forward, but was cruelly denied, hitting the post with two minutes remaining.