Written By : Tony Stone on 20/04/2022

Categories: Match Report

It was Tuesday night lights in the SIL as Henley visited Coplestonians and came away with all three points following a comprehensive 1-5 victory.

Henley took the lead after only 5 minutes, their pressure causing an error at the back, George Ablitt intercepting, taking the ball round his marker and picking his spot for 0-1. The Cops goal lived a charmed life during the next fifteen minutes, with goal line blocks saving a shot from Thrower and headers from Gavin Van Oene and Storey. Henley continued to have by far the lion’s share of chances, but as so often happens in these cases, it was Cops who scored next and what a goal it was. Godbold firing in a perfectly struck, rocket of a 25 yard drive after 42 minutes, that was past Holland before he could react to make it 1-1 at HT

7 minutes into the second half Thrower was felled in the box, Bruce kept his focus during the lengthy delay and smashed the penalty into the bottom corner for 1-2. Just after some good work from George Ablitt, saw Tejano have a fierce shot tipped over to safety. On 60 minutes it was 1-3, a central free kick from just outside the box from Bruce, flicking off the wall and into the net. On 70 minutes, the Cops keeper had a very fortunate escape, deliberately handling outside his box as he raced to block George Ablitt, Mr Goodman taking pity on him only showing a yellow card. However, justice was soon served as Gavin Van Oene, superbly whipped home the subsequent free kick from 20 yards to make it 1-4. There was still time for another though, a handball giving Henley another penalty after 80 minutes, which Bruce expertly despatched for 1-5.

A good all-round performance from Henley, with all the squad playing their part against a determined Cops side. The Ablitt brothers, Gav Van Oene and Thrower in particular, drawing praise from the large contingent of travelling Ultras. But MOTM could only really go to hat-trick hero Clark Bruce, his 2nd goal of the evening, was his 200th in Henley colours, his 3rd took his tally to an astonishing 201 goals in 198 games for the club.