Henley through to next round of the Senior Cup

A terrific, committed performance from all 16 of the squad, saw Henley progress through to the next round of the Senior Cup, with an away victory, under the lights, against higher league opposition, Thurlow Nunn side Haverhill Borough, yesterday evening. A great game to watch, with both sides fully invested and playing some fast, passing football, much enjoyed by all 69 in attendance.

Haverhill started full of confidence, playing a high press against the Henley back line and were rewarded on 9 minutes, when an under hit pass was intercepted and unselfishly squared to be well finished by Farrow from 8 yards out, giving the home side a 1-0 lead. Undaunted, Henley fought back and came close after 17 minutes, Watling getting on the end of a Hooley cross, seeing his effort blocked. Ballard saw a couple of shots from distance go wide, whilst Hooley was causing problems for the Borough defence every time he ranged forward, providing Watling with another chance close to the break, which was well saved. But it was a very even game, both sides carving out chances, with both defences nullifying them. Borough came perilously close with the last kick of the half, a free kick hitting the top of the bar a second before the whistle blew, leaving it 1-0 at the break. Borough probably having the majority of possession in the half, with Henley coming into the game more and more as it progressed.

Jimmy rang the changes early in the 2^nd period, fresh legs appearing at regular intervals, Cowan immediately making his presence felt in midfield as Henley started to exert some control over the game. This was rewarded after 54 minutes, possession won in the middle of the park and Watling scoring the equaliser, with a fierce drive, low into the bottom corner for 1-1. Henley were flying now and came close to another within a minute, Ballard twisting free, his effort going inches over the bar. Henley took the lead on 73 minutes, a whipped free kick from Wharton-Richardson, catching the keeper out at his near post making it 1-2. Again within a minute, Ballard made space for a shot, which whistled narrowly wide, another effort from him was well saved almost immediately as Haverhill struggled to cope with the Henley onslaught.

On 76 minutes Henley made it 1-3, Bell rising highest at the back post to absolutely cannon home, the very definition of a bullet header from a Dozzell corner, for the biggest celebration of the evening, both on and off the pitch. But Borough were still in it, Henley keeper Read at full stretch to make a brilliant save on 80 minutes. Borough did pull one back in the 92 minute, Holmes bundling home from close range to make it 2-3, after a clear and obvious foul on Read, which I’m sure the referee won’t enjoy watching back on video, a challenge described as an MMA move by adjacent Borough fans, who couldn’t believe the goal was allowed to stand, an opinion shared with the Borough management post match.

The final whistle came almost immediately after the restart, giving Henley an excellent win against a talented and incredibly athletic Borough side. We thank all at Borough for their hospitality at their brilliant venue, and wish them luck for the season. As for Henley, it’s true to say that all 16 players involved gave that their all for the club, I’m sure they’ll be grateful for the 10 day break until our next fixture. They battled for every ball and ran their hearts out, not easy after a day at work and an hour’s journey to Haverhill. MOTM went to the returning Logan Bell, a dominant display at the back, crowned with a truly unstoppable headed goal.