The holiday weekend sun brought a crowd of 97 to the Community Centre, where they enjoyed a calm, patient and workmanlike performance from a much-changed Henley. Who, despite missing four starters, dominated Capel throughout to collect the three points. Jones pulled on the gloves for only the second time this season and with Covid targeting the fullbacks, forward Cowan dropped back to cover.
With so many changes, it took Henley a few minutes to get organised, their first big chance coming after 15 minutes when some neat interplay down the right between Thrower and Liam Ablitt saw Thrower fire past the visiting keeper, only to see his shot cleared off the line. The opening goal came after 25 minutes, a diagonal ball from Liam Ablitt deceiving the Capel defender and finding Bruce at the back post, a touch to control, another to lay the keeper down, and the third to finish for 1-0.
5 minutes into the 2nd half a ball over the top from Tejano released George Ablitt through one on one, but the Capel keeper was quickly off his line and did well to get a touch to push it round the post. Capel didn’t heed the warning and after 55 minutes it was 2-0, a sensational 1st touch and a precise through ball from Thrower again released George Ablitt and this time his crisp finish gave the keeper no chance.
Henley rang the changes, bringing on their subs and calmly played out the remainder of the game, Capel worked hard and kept going, but failed to really trouble Jones throughout, whilst Henley came close with efforts from Van Oene, Bruce, Ablitt, Watling and Tejano as the game finished 2-0.
The Ultra’s MOTM went to George Ablitt, who was a livewire throughout, but Smythe, Cowan and Gav Van Oene all had terrific games and received votes too. Referee Terry Rackley had an easy game, but nonetheless managed it well and enjoyed his afternoon.