Suffolk FA Senior Cup: Brandon Town FC 2-7 Henley Athletic FC
A high speed first half onslaught saw this game effectively put to bed before the half-time whistle as Henley progressed to the quarter finals with a comfortable 2-7 win at Brandon Town.
It was an early start for players and Ultras alike as they met at 11 a.m to board the coach, with the addition of those travelling independently, the Ultras well outnumbering the home crowd and significantly contributing to their bar takings, pre, post and during the match.
The game started with a touch of class from our hosts, joining the Henley players to form a guard of honour to celebrate Byron Tejano’s 500th appearance. But, from the first whistle, it was all Henley, having the ball in the net in the 2nd minute, Bell scoring from a Hooley corner, but it was ruled out for the corner swinging out of play. Cole rifled a shot over after 5 minutes as Henley penned Brandon back. The pressure told after 9 minutes, Wharton-Richardson seeing his spot-kick saved, but tucking in the rebound for 0-1, on 15 minutes only an outstanding save from the Brandon keeper prevented another.
On 24 minutes it was 0-2, Hooley’s low shot finding the bottom corner, 6 minutes later, Hooley struck again, another low drive making it 0-3. Henley were flying now and looked like scoring with every attack, making it 0-4 after 34 minutes, the Brandon keeper dropping Alex Prime’s cross at the feet of Wharton-Richardson, who gratefully accepted the gift and poked home. Henley kept turning the screw, Alex Prime bursting into the box and seeing his deflected shot hit the net for 0-5, leaving Brandon looking shellshocked at the break.
Brandon’s pain increased within a minute of the restart, Cole smashing home a 25 yard shot to make it 0-6. It got worse after 50 minutes, Storey heading home from a corner to make it 0-7. Henley made a raft of changes, with Ballard, Dozzell, Dende, Ben Prime and Asker all coming on. Cole, Dozzell and Ballard all saw shots blocked or saved, before Brandon pulled one back with a 30 yard wonder strike from Benyu to make it 1-7. A great run and effort from Asker was saved, as were attempts from Ballard and Cooper, before Brandon snatched another consolation in the 89th minute from Huxtable, as Henley ran out comfortable 2-7 victors.
A word or two for our hosts, who were missing a few lads on the day, but despite the constant Henley pressure, their heads didn’t drop and they kept going right to the end, a credit to their club. We’d also like to thank all at Brandon for their great welcome and terrific hospitality, they treated Ultras and players royally. Thanks again.
As for Henley, by far our best performance of the season, and right up there with many from the last few seasons, as our new crop of youngsters continue to mesh with our more experienced long-term players, the pace, determination and workrate of our attack, was matched by the solidity of our defence, but it was our midfield that totally ran the game, Quintanerian (?) Tejano and Cowan, dominant, with MOTM Cooper busy for every second of the game.
Indeed, it was a very happy group of players and Ultras who filled the Brandon bar post match, and then filling Stowmarket Town’s clubhouse on the coach journey home, there are a few sore heads around this morning!