Written By : Tony Stone on 02/01/2025

Categories: Match Report

A crowd of 56 braved the cold and fog, boosted by hoppers from Brentwood and astonishingly, Batley in Yorkshire! They saw a solid and well deserved 3-0 win for Henley in their last game of 2024. Henley were once again forced into changes, with Captain Storey away, Cooper continued at centre back alongside the returning Bell. Keeper Read being hit with a virus at 8 a.m. meant a busy morning, searching for a replacement, we’re indebted to Glyn Dixon for stepping in to help.

Henley started brightly, Ballard shooting inches wide in only the second minute. Both sides took some time to adjust to the heavy surface, seemingly struggling to judge the pace of the ball, it was Henley who had the next chances, Ballard hitting the bar after 30 minutes and Fairweather getting down well to deny Cole on 38 minutes. Haughley had their best period of the game just before the break, but failed to penetrate the Henley defence even once.

The HT break seemed to invigorate Henley, on 47 minutes Hooley danced through a pack of Haughley defenders only to see his shot flash wide. The Henley pressure continued and was rewarded after 54 minutes, Cole’s cross was chipped back in by Ballard, where Tejano outjumped Fairweather to head home for 1-0. On 60 minutes Dozzell’s cross found Alex Prime at the back post but his header hit the post and went to safety. The woodwork came to Haughley’s rescue yet again after 65 minutes, Wharton- Richardson’s low strike hitting the foot of the post. On 70 minutes a great break from Ben Prime saw him pick out Ballard, his strike was palmed away by Fairweather, but Wharton Richardson was on hand to tuck it away for 2-0. This was shortly followed by the biggest cheer of the day, as David Shore entered the field after an enforced 10 month absence, great to see him back in red.

Henley continued to press, White and Dozzell both coming close, a silly bit of retaliation, rightly saw Wharton-Richardson see red after 80 minutes, this briefly put a spring in the step of the visitors, but still the home defence held firm, with Haughley still unable to trouble Dixon. The result was put past any doubt in the 92ndminute, Dozzell finding Clayton-Leeks with a short corner, he picked out Bell on the edge of the box, who laid the ball into the path of Alex Prime’s run. He collected and wove past two Haughley defenders, before casually stroking home into the corner for a final score of 3-0.

Despite a 3-0 home win, it was the Henley defence who drew the praise today, not even allowing the visitors a single shot on target, giving Dicko what must’ve been his easiest game for quite a while, the returning Bell picking up MOTM. The Primes both put in a serious shift, whilst Hooley, Cole and Ballard proved a constant threat up front, a fine performance from Dozzell off the bench as well.

Another performance worthy of note, was that of Referee Rackley and his team, who were faultless throughout, his hallmark shout of “get on with it” echoing around the ground, he even managed to stay on his feet without studs too! Much to the disappointment of this video editor, who upon seeing his choice of footwear, thought that this game’s highlights would be more of a blooper reel.

Happy New Year from all at Henley Athletic FC