Written By : Tony Stone on 27/01/2025

Categories: Match Report

Although it’s our longest journey of the season, we all know we’ll have a great welcome awaiting us at Halesworth. Close rivals for many years now, our games are always full blooded and tight affairs, in fact I struggle to remember one that didn’t finish within a single goal margin. Full commitment from both sets of players on the pitch and both sets of supporters off it during the match, but respect before and after too. It was good to see the ground improvements Halesworth are making in preparation for their proposed step up to Thurlow Nunn football, the pitch and facilities look great.

 

The game began with a minutes silence for the sadly, recently departed Gerald Ellis, Halesworth’s Life President, immaculately observed by all 87 in attendance.

 

Both teams flew out of the blocks, but the defences were in the ascendancy, Grabowski for Henley saw his shot blocked after 10 minutes, Halesworth came perilously close with a ball across the box after 20 minutes, Alex Prime doing well to get a foot in to prevent a tap in. Halesworth had the better chances of the opening half, but failed to really test Punter in the Henley goal, at the other end, Anderson too, remained largely untroubled, Cole and Ballard having efforts blocked before they could get to him. Leaving the score 0-0 at the break.

 

Henley had the 1st chance of the 2nd half, Cooper coming close but denied by an offside flag at the last moment. Henley did open the scoring after 53 minutes, fine hold up play from Cooper in the middle, before picking out Ballard wide on the left, despite the close attentions of two markers, Ballard broke free and played a defence splitting pass into the feet of White’s run. Forced wide by the presence of a defender and by keeper Anderson racing off his line, White impudently chipped over Anderson with a brilliant finish to make it 0-1.

 

Halesworth threw everything at Henley in search of an equaliser, but Henley held firm. On 67 minutes Punter was called into action for his best save of the day, Tejano and Storey blocking the two follow up shots. Henley still looked sharp on the break though, the constant threat of Dende and Cole’s pace preventing Halesworth from fully committing forward. Despite the Halesworth pressure, some good game management saw Henley see the game out for a 0-1 victory and a trip to Kirton in the Quarter-Finals.

 

Not an especially impressive 1st half from Henley, but a strong all round team showing in the second period, saw us through. White was declared MOTM, the quality of his goal matched his workrate, the Prime brothers well worth a mention too, as was keeper Punter, his calmness infectious throughout the side.

 

Many thanks to our hosts, like us, going through a transitional season, a good side that play football in the right manner.