Written By : Tony Stone on 20/04/2025

Categories: Match Report

A crowd of 121, boosted by a large travelling contingent, enjoyed the both the sun and a tight, competitive game, which Henley edged to record a 2-1 victory. The game was played in a full blooded, but fair manner, but wasn’t without it’s contentious moments.

The first of those contentious moments came within the opening minutes, Graham tugging back a Bergholt player on the break, just inside his own half, with the visitors baying for a red card, Referee Humphrey decided a yellow was more appropriate. On eight minutes Bergholt were awarded a penalty, the ball fired at Tejano from close range and striking his arm, Watson stepped up and confidently despatched the spot kick for 0-1.

Scrivener got down well to deny Hooley after 16 minutes, tipping round his post. But Hooley’s subsequent, viciously inswinging, corner appeared to have crossed the line as Scrivener collected it, but despite Henley appeals, the goal wasn’t given. But Henley weren’t to be denied for long, when on 20 minutes Bell rose highest to head home the equaliser from a superb cross by Hooley for 1-1.

Five minutes later it was 2-1, a great, driven corner from Cole, met with a downward header from Graham to give Henley the lead, which held at HT.

Bergholt came flying out after the break, Punter forced into a good save on 54 minutes, with the rebound blasted over. Punter again the hero on 69 minutes, with a breath-taking double save, the second of which was at point blank range. It was a half for the keepers to show their talents, Scrivener with a full stretch save to deny Hooley after 83 minutes. Despite all the visitor’s pressure Henley defended well and saw the game out to secure a 2-1 win.

Another strong all round team performance, with Graham again picking up the MOTM award, although it was a close run thing with more than a few in contention.

Thanks to Griefy and the travelling Bergholt supporters, always a pleasure to see you at the Community Centre. Thanks also to Les King, who, still recovering from a nasty accident, turned up just to spectate, but ended up running a line to replace an Assistant who failed to show up, confirming a long-held theory that Les permanently wears his kit under his clothes!