Written By : Tony Stone on 23/03/2025

Categories: Match Report

A large crowd enjoyed the usual full-blooded close encounter between these two evenly matched sides, Halesworth edging the game with an absolute worldie of a goal giving them a 2-1 victory.

Halesworth started sharply, Henley forced into a series of blocks and desperate defending to keep the home side out over the opening 5 minutes. Henley forced their way back into the game and saw the pressure ease as possession and play was shared. It was Henley who took the lead after 23 minutes, a raking ball from Hooley found Wharton-Richardson out at wide right, he exchanged passes with White before delivering a pinpoint cross, which picked out Graham, who rose highest to head home at the back post for 0-1.

That lead was short-lived as on 32 minutes Chenery was given far too much space, his 20-yard shot finding the corner for 1-1. Henley came close on 38 minutes, a ball from Smythe, headed down by Graham to Grabowski, his effort flashing just wide. Halesworth again piled on the pressure with a series of corners, forcing Read into a fine save after 40 minutes, leaving the score 1-1 at HT.

Both teams had their chances after the restart, only a perfect last ditch tackle stopping Wharton-Richardson, who was through one on one. But it was Halesworth who took the lead on 66 minutes, and what a goal it was, Lewis Chenery bagging his second of the game with a rocket of a left foot strike from 22 yards for 2-1. Both sides kept pressing, but good defending at both ends, meant chances were limited, Tejano coming closest after 80 minutes, Anderson tipping his drive over the bar.

As is usual in these games, neither side gave an inch and both battled until the final whistle, Halesworth holding on to take the points.

A much, much improved Henley performance, with lessons learned from last week, even with 5 usual starters missing, the lads gave a fine account of themselves, Cooper picking up MOTM against a fully committed and talented Halesworth side.