Professional performance from a strong Cops side

A crowd of 117 witnessed Henley’s biggest defeat in many a season, as they succumbed to a thoroughly professional performance from a strong Cops side, who appear to have well and truly found their form after early season slip ups.

Henley had the first chance of the game, Ballard’s low shot going just wide of the post on 8 minutes. But on 22 minutes it was Cops who took the lead, Holmes allowed to run from deep and shoot, his shot deceived Read, who could only push it away for Linard to tap home for 0-1. A rare defensive error gifted Cops their 2^nd on 35 minutes, Connick stealing the ball from Bell and Mackay firing home for 0-2.

Things went from bad to worse as Henley saw Watling helped off the pitch following a nasty looking collision and landing, on attending hospital we’re sorry to report that he has suffered a suspected ACL injury and will shortly be seeing a specialist. The thoughts and best wishes of all at the club are with him.

The 2^nd half started poorly for Henley, Cops had their tails up and were on the attack, Bell blocked Mackay’s opening shot on the goal line, but his follow up found the net for 0-3 after 50 minutes. Cops came close on 60 minutes, hitting the post, but on 65 they further increased their lead Holmes finishing well for 0-4. Henley came close on 70 minutes, Ballard seeing his top corner bound freekick tipped over. Mackay completed his hat trick after 76 minutes, first to the loose ball again in the box to bring the score to 0-5.

Sadly in the last seconds of the game, Cops youngster Pelling, also suffered an injury, which looked nasty, all at Henley send their best wishes for a speedy recovery.

So, a bad day at the office for the Hens, our poorest performance of the season, taken full advantage of by Cops best. But, we’ve done the same, so many times, to Cops and many other sides, so I suppose the law of averages would say, we probably had one coming. So, we’ll take it on the chin, learn from it, and move on the next game.