Henley bounce back with a win on the road

A measured and patient performance saw Henley ease their way to a 0-6 victory at Benhall, in front of a crowd of 65.

Henley dominated possession from the start, causing the home side a multitude of problems, but had to wait until the 18^th minute to take a lead. Seemingly out of nowhere Bruce broke free down the left, from a narrow angle he took the home keeper and all in attendance by surprise, smashing home for 0-1. It was pretty much all Henley now, although Benhall’s young talent Coull needed to be kept a close eye on, looking good every time he got on the ball. But Henley has some young talent too, proven on 33 minutes when Ablitt hit a crisp drive into the corner for 0-2, Within two minutes it was 0-3, Field played through and lobbing over the advancing keeper, his effort came back off the post, Ablitt the quickest to react to poke home.

Benhall’s troubles were compounded after 42 minutes when Pemberton’s late and heavy challenge on Ablitt was adjudged to have been out of control by the referee and he saw a straight red card. Things got even worse for them on the stroke of half-time, Field and Hammond combining well, Hammond’s initial shot blocked, but Field was there to stroke home the rebound to make it 0-4 at the break.

Even with ten men, Benhall looked much improved after the break, defending in numbers and blocking bravely. However, Henley were patient enough to bide their time, the management making changes to give some lads a well-earned rest. Their patient approach told when on 69 minutes a succession of passes was finished off with a lifted ball by Field over the last man, Hammond picking his spot for 0-5.  There was still time for another though, Ablitt clipping in a perfect cross to the back post and Field thumping home a header for 0-6. In the latter stages it could’ve been more, but the home keeper Garnham, produced some top quality saves, none more so than two outstanding point blank stops to deny both Watling and Field.

A much improved, fluid performance from Henley, everyone playing their part in a fine passing display. The Ultra’s MOTM vote was split, between Ablitt’s trickery and goals, and Cowan’s dynamism. Jamo narrowly winning the vote on a day where he was simply everywhere at once, bringing queries from the sideline as to if he had discovered the ability to teleport, at one point several of us where convinced that he’d got on the end of his own cross!

As for Benhall, they’re a better side than their lowly position would indicate, even a man short they kept playing the right way, their MOTM would have to go to keeper Garnham, who despite the scoreline had a terrific game, but they’ve nurtured a real prospect in Coull too, one to watch in the future.