Goals galore as 13 are put past Westerfield Utd

They say that the number 13 is unlucky for some, this was certainly proved correct for Westerfield today, as Henley simply blew them away with an astonishing team performance, a crowd of 61 witnessing the visitors achieve a club record, 0-13 victory.

Despite a brave showing from Westerfield, Henley dominated the entire game, opening the scoring after only 5 minutes, Bull bursting through and being brought down in the box, Bruce making no mistake with the penalty for 0-1. On 10 minutes it was 0-2, Bull again racing clear, hitting the touchline and firing in a cross, flicked on by Watling at the near post to be finished at the back post by Field. On 15 minutes Westerfield had an astonishing double escape, Van Oene’s 1^st strike coming back off the bar, he volleyed the rebound, only to see it cleared off the line. The respite was short lived however, Van Oene intercepting an under hit back pass, as the keeper chased him down, he passed to Field who lobbed the keeper and defence from the edge of the area for 0-3.

Henley were rampant now, on 25 minutes came the second penalty of the match, Field wrestled to the ground and again Bruce smashing in the penalty for 0-4. On 37 minutes it was 0-5, great interplay saw Hammond release Bruce who squared for Field to pick his spot to complete his hat trick. Two minutes later a great individual goal from Watling, showing his pace and power to power through the home defence and slot home for 0-6 at HT

Westerfield came out looking stronger and more determined after the break, having a lot more of the ball. Holding out until the 64^th minute when a good exchange between Van Oene, Field and Bruce saw the ball arrive with Bull, who made no mistake finding the bottom corner for 0-7. On 70 minutes Westerfield were robbed of the ball in their half, Field, Van Oene and Ablitt combining to release Bruce who slotted home for his hat-trick and 0-8. Four minutes later came a lovely neat, technical  goal, Hammond and Ablitt exchanging a quick one-two, before Hammond drove home a low finish for 0-9.

After 81 minutes Henley hit double figures, Bruce nicking the ball on the edge of the box, lobbing the keeper for his 4^th and 0-10. Four minutes later it was deja-vu for Westerfield, Bruce again intercepting and lifting the ball over the stranded keeper for 0-11. On the 88^th minute, Bruce made it a double hat-trick, scoring his 3^rd penalty of the day after Field was pulled down, for 0-12. There was great joy for the assembled Henley Ultras in the 90^th minute, popular young defender Bell scoring his 1^st goal for the club, with a close range finish after a corner to make the final score 0-13.

Wow, what a game, and what a performance from the entire Henley team, the Ultras MOTM vote was split between Bruce, not only for his 6 goals, but also his astonishing movement and work rate, and whilst it may seem odd that a defender shared the vote, Bell was outstanding throughout, thwarting all and any attempts from Westerfield at getting back in the game. With Cowan missing (congratulations from all at the club to Jess and Jamie on their new arrival!) and Tejano rested, Shore and Van Oene totally controlled the midfield, along with Bull, creating chance after chance. But despite these individual mentions, the whole squad were terrific today, the way these lads play for each other, gets stronger every week.

A mention too for Westerfield, although a day I’m sure they’ll want to forget, they didn’t let their heads drop and despite their frustration, kept their discipline throughout, continually trying to play the right way. Praise too for their playing surface and the staff that care for it, easily the best pitch that we’ve played on this season.