Written By : Connor Banks on 23/08/2021

Categories: Match Report

Despite a bright start Henley fell to a 3-5 defeat to bogey club East Bergholt Utd, who’s commitment, organisation and desire saw them deserved victors. Every Henley error was punished, efficiently and clinically by a passionate Bergholt, who took full advantage of the forced changes to the home side after injuries incurred midweek.

After only 4 minutes Henley took a lead, a foul on the edge of the Bergholt box and Bruce stepping up to bend the free-kick around the wall for 1-0. 2 minutes later it was 2-0, a superb diagonal ball from Gav Van Oene, releasing Bruce through one on one, he picked his spot and passed it home.

On 20 minutes Bergholt were back in the game, Henley carelessly giving the ball away whilst on the attack, two quick passes and McGrath was through on goal slipping it under replacement keeper Mayhew for 2-1. Only 5 minutes later yet another sloppy goal given away by Henley, immediately after Gav Van Oene had hit the post from a free kick, once again the ball was given away needlessly, quick, efficient passing from Bergholt saw McGrath free on the left, his cross well met by Heathcote to fire in for 2-2. This saw Bergholt’s most dominant passage of play, but a rocked Henley saw it out and went in level at the break, with Watling close again just before HT.

In a remarkable case of déjà vu, Bergholt were gifted another goal 8 minutes into the 2nd half, again a misplaced pass ceded possession and McGrath was quickly released clear through where he yet again finished with aplomb for 2-3. 5 minutes later precisely the same happened again, with most of the crowd convinced they were watching a replay but now it was 2-4 from McGrath once again. With a tinge of ridiculousness, on 62 minutes we were into replay time again, you’ve guessed it, misplaced pass, 2 quick passes and that man McGrath clear through again to clinically finish for 2-5.

To Henley’s credit they kept pushing and forced a couple of good saves from Byfield before a combination between the Ablitt brothers saw Liam curl home a lovely effort for 3-5 with 10 remaining. Henley really piled the pressure on, but a superb Bergholt defence, brilliantly marshalled by Bibby held out for a notable and well deserved win.

Henley Ultra’s MOTM went to Liam Ablitt, but it would be foolish to look anywhere other than Jamie McGrath whose 4 goals guaranteed him the accolade.