Written By : Tony Stone on 27/11/2023

Categories: Match Report

99 brave souls, donned their winter gear to endure the first properly cold game of the season, and were rewarded with a good performance from Henley, which saw them take top spot after a dominating 6-0 victory over Old Newton.

Henley piled the pressure on from the start, Bruce had already seen an effort cleared off the goal line after 6 minutes, before he opened the scoring with a sumptuous lob from 20 yards, having spotted the Newton keeper off his line, making it 1-0 after 9 minutes. Henley’s attacking continued unabated, Newton restricted to a few efforts from distance, as they defended in numbers. The second goal came after 32 minutes, a fantastic, pinpoint ball from Van Oene finding Cole, he took the ball down, beat his man and slotted home through the keeper’s legs for 2-0. Henley increased their lead on 40 minutes, a slide rule pass from Bruce, picking out White’s run, rolling back the years, he rounded the keeper and picked his spot to make it 3-0 at the break.

The second half continued in a similar vein, Henley controlling the game, Tejano making it 4-0 on 60 minutes, hooking home after a goalmouth scramble. This lead allowed the management to change things around, making four substitutions, more minutes for Shore on his return from injury, another 1st team runout for Ressies stalwart Harry Leeks, a cameo from the evergreen Smythe and a 1st team debut for another Ressie Rahul Deb.

To their credit, Newton kept their heads up and played the game the right way, but struggled to cause stand in keeper Holland any real difficulty. On the day, Henley simply had too much for them. Bruce adding a 5th on 85 minutes, firmly heading home a Georg Ablitt cross and Tejano heading in a Liam Ablitt corner after 89 minutes to make the final score 6-0.

A much improved all round team performance with all 15 playing their part in controlling the game from start to finish. Tejano narrowly won the Ultra’s MOTM vote, pipping Bruce and Van Oene in the running, but Bull and Bell were also worthy of mention in their defensive roles.

Newton are clearly going through a transitional period, with a lot of impressive youngsters in the squad, their commitment to playing good football, their character and teamwork is a credit to their managers.

A word too for referee Mark Warden, he had a great game, in control throughout, decisive and communicated clearly to both sides, a top showing from a top official.