Henley Athl Vs Benhall

Henley were back to winning ways with a comfortable 5-0 midweek win over Benhall St Mary in front of a crowd of 96. A much improved performance from Henley saw the visitors barely register a solid effort on the home goal, whilst Benhall keeper Garnham was well deserving of the MOTM award, his many saves keeping the scoreline down.

Henley came close after 8 minutes, George Ablitt laying off for Bruce, whose shot cannoned to safety off the bar. Garnham’s first big save came after 20 minutes, pushing a vicious drive from Bruce onto the post. After 35 minutes Henley’s good work paid off, a fine cross from Bruce, laid off by George Ablitt to brother Liam, who hooked home into the corner for 1-0. On 44 minutes Cowan embarked on an astonishing 60 yard run, passing many visiting defenders, finding George Ablitt, but once again Garnham stretched to tip round.

Yet again Garnham was Benhall’s hero, making a seemingly impossible save to keep out Tejano’s header 2 minutes into the 2^nd half. On the 59^th minute the Henley pressure told, a 20 yard strike from Bruce, was too hot to handle and Garnham could only palm it into the path of George Ablitt, who slid home for 2-0. On 71 minutes it was 3-0, a fine strike from Liam Ablitt well saved, but Bruce was on hand to finish the rebound. Two minutes later George Ablitt made it 4-0, stroking a 20 yard volley from a clearance into the bottom corner. In the 84^thminute Bruce was felled in the box, stepping up to smash home the penalty for 5-0.

A good all round performance from Henley, with Cowan amongst the stand out players, but it was George Ablitt who took the vote for the Ultra’s MOTM. To their credit, irrespective of score, Benhall kept playing until the end, with Garnham their standout performer after an epic showing.