Written By : Tony Stone on 09/04/2023

Categories: Match Report

A Rolls Royce performance from Henley saw them celebrate club stalwart Byron Tejano’s 450th club appearance, cruising to a comfortable victory over a brave and committed Leiston St Margaret’s. An amazing 4 goals from MOTM Field and one apiece from Van Oene and, who else but, Tejano, was enjoyed by a crowd of 111, with the visitors not permitted a shot or even a corner.

Henley were in charge from the off, LSM keeper Clouting saving well from Ablitt and Tejano before Field opened the scoring on 19 minutes, racing onto Ablitt’s through ball and lifting it over the advancing keeper for 1-0. On 25 minutes Clouting was again the LSM hero, at full stretch pushing Van Oene’s cross away from Bruce’s feet, to deny a certain goal, before Bruce powered in a shot which cannoned off the bar to safety. However the continual pressure eventually told, when on 40 minutes Tejano flicked on a Bruce corner and Van Oene poked home from close range for 2-0 at HT.

Henley flew out of the blocks after the break and had come close twice, before extending the lead to 3-0 on 50 minutes, Bruce the provider and Field finishing from 6 yards. Henley made it 4-0 after 60 minutes, Tejano getting his fringe to a Van Oene corner and Field again in the right place, finishing to complete his hat trick. Not content with a hat trick Field added his 4th and Henley’s 5th after 65 minutes, getting on the end of Bruce’s pass and finishing well. Only the woodwork and continued heroics from visiting keeper Clouting prevented the score from spiralling higher, he made great stops to deny Bruce, Ablitt, and twice, much to the disappointment of the assembled Ultras, he made simply breathtaking stops to keep Tejano out.

On the 89th minute Watling saw his effort come off the post, but there was still time for one more chance. The biggest cheer of the day coming when the man of the moment Tejano was played in and finished well to bring the final score to 6-0.

A calm, measured and patient performance from Henley, dominating for the entire game, with keeper Dixon reduced to little more than a spectator, there could have been many candidates for MOTM with the whole squad playing their parts. Tejano, as always proved his worth, Van Oene and Hammond were outstanding, the Ablitts were tricky, and as frustrated as he’ll be by not scoring, Bruce was instrumental in 3 of the goals. But when a striker scores 4, where else can you look for the MOTM and Field of course ran away with it. It was great to see Shore come of the bench for a cameo, returning from 7 weeks out injured, to be involved in the run in.

Leiston deserve plenty of credit too, turning up despite being missing several 1st team regulars and playing the game the right way for the whole 30 minutes, I struggle to recall a game with less free kicks. Their standout on the day was keeper Clouting, who was absolutely exceptional throughout.