Henley Athletic Vs Old Newton

A crowd of 109 saw a tight game in which the visitors left with a well-deserved point after a 91^st minute equaliser.

Injuries saw Henley have to make changes to their starting line up, young Logan Bell making his club debut starting in central defence.

Old Newton started enthusiastically, piling on the pressure from the 1^st whistle, trying to smother Henley’s passing game. But Henley started to find their way forward, with only a top class stop from Newton keeper Hindley, keeping George Ablitt’s low drive out after 17 minutes.

The 1^st half presented little goalmouth action until the 40^th minute, home keeper Dixon tipping a fine effort onto the bar and to safety, then combining with his defence to clear off the goal line from the subsequent corner, leaving the score 0-0 at the break.

Newton’s impressive workrate and battling attitude didn’t falter for a minute, the 2^ndhalf continuing in the same manner as the 1^st, with Newton controlling the game for phases, whilst Henley probed for openings. The best chance coming mid-half as George Ablitt picked out Bruce’s run with a raking diagonal pass, Bruce thundered his shot off the underside of the bar, Ablitt looked to be marginally first to the rebound, but was felled by a defender. Appeals for a spot kick falling on deaf ears, as the referee saw it as a 50/50 challenge, from the side lines it fell into the category of “ seen them given” but it would’ve been a harsh one.

In the 71^st minute Henley finally broke the deadlock, Gavin Van Oene curling in a precise 25 yard free kick into the bottom corner for 1-0. All credit to Old Newton though, their heads didn’t drop and they kept pushing, Henley had a chance to extend their lead but Watling’s low effort rolled wide. Continued pressure from the visitors saw Dongray bundle home a 91^st minute equaliser, which was no more than their attitude, commitment and play deserved, to see Newton leave with a share of the points with a 1-1 draw.

Henley still looked rusty and disjointed at times, albeit showing flashes in periods of play, of what they’re capable of producing, a disappointing showing, but one that the lads will take lessons from. This takes nothing away from Old Newton, a completely different side from the one we beat 0-7 at this stage of last season. The new management team have instilled a systemic, organised approach, in addition to a culture of commitment and team work, they’ll do well this season and take many a point from more fancied sides.