A crowd of 127 enjoyed a party atmosphere and a feast of slick, passing football as Henley closed their Championship season with a 4-3 victory over an excellent Trimley side.
Henley opened the scoring after only 10 minutes with a fantastic 20 yard volley, straight into the top corner from Liam Ablitt. Trimley looked dangerous though, only a fantastic save from Lynch maintaining the Henley lead, tipping a shot around the post from Osbourne, at the other end Punter was called into action to tip over a shot from Liam Ablitt who was set up by his brother George. An unusual incident on the very edge of the Henley box, Liam Ablitt bringing down Read, but the referee viewing it as a dive and booking him, luckily saving Henley from a dangerous free-kick.
The Ablitt brothers combined again after 34 minutes, George cutting in from the left, finding Bruce, his pass was dummied by bull and fired home by Liam Ablitt for 2-0. Three minutes later it was 3-0, neat football from Henley, an unselfish lay off from George Ablitt and a great finish from Bruce. Another odd incident before the break, George Ablitt brought down in the Trimley box, but instead of a penalty, once again the referee saw it as simulation and a yellow card was produced. On the stroke of half-time a low drive from Bull cannoned off the post to leave the score at 3-0 at
HT
Bull came close once again after 57 minutes, his 25 yard shot whistling just over the bar. On 60 minutes Trimley found the route back into the game that the quality of their play deserved, a low cross turned into his own net by Shore for 3-1. Trimley had their tails up now and were playing some lovely stuff, finding further reward with a cracking goal after 68 minutes, Chidlow chasing what appeared to be a lost cause and pulling in a cross from the byline which was smashed home on the run by Breadman for 3-2. Breadman almost got the equaliser soon after, thumping a header from a corner off the bar.
On 76 minutes an uncharacteristic error from Trimley keeper Punter, saw his misplaced pass go straight to the feet of the most in form player of the day, Liam Ablitt, who calmly picked his spot and slotted home for his hat-trick and 4-2. Fortune favoured Trimley with 7 minutes remaining, the referee indicating a free-kick to Henley in the centre circle, but as the home side made it’s way forward in readiness, he corrected himself and rightly awarded it to Trimley. Quickly taken it found the impressive Read, whose superb 1sttouch set him up for a fine finish and 4-3.
Despite continuous pressure from Trimley, Henley were composed and saw the game out to finish their season with 7 consecutive wins. A good team performance from the whole squad, the Ultra’s MOTM going to hat-trick hero Liam Ablitt. Trimley always impress with their fast, flowing football, Read, once again catching the eye for the 2nd time against us this season, what a fine young player he is.
On a sad note, we say goodbye today to Robbie Smythe, who has decided to retire and concentrate on the Vets game, a terrific servant to the club over the five seasons he’s been here, he’ll be missed both on and off the pitch.
So, what a season, Senior Champions, with the most goals scored and the fewest conceded, an outstanding effort by the entire squad. Time for a much needed break now, before we go again next season, UppaHens!