Written By : Tony Stone on 24/04/2025

Categories: Match Report

With Coplestonians still in with a chance of the title, this midweek fixture drew a crowd of 111, who saw Henley put an end to their hopes with a 0-2 victory.

Henley flew out of the blocks, Ablitt close to scoring in the opening minute, then Cole flashing a shot narrowly wide after 8 minutes. But Cops dug in and found a way back into the game, Punter forced into a good stop after 16 minutes. But Henley still had the majority of the play, with Hooley shooting narrowly wide after 23 minutes, Cops again threatened after 33 minutes Punter saving well and the defence clearing their lines. The game evened out, but Cops were reduced to 10 men after 44 minutes with Woolard sinbinned.

Starting the 2nd half with 10, Cops dug in hard, Henley’s extra player not evident to those watching, Ablitt’s freekick narrowly over the bar on 48 minutes, the only real chance of that period. Restored to the full 11, Cops forced Punter into a fine stop on 55 minutes, whilst Wharton-Richardson saw a good effort saved at the other end. Bell also saw his header from a Cole corner, cleared off the line.

But Henley weren’t to be denied for long, and on 56 minutes Cole opened the scoring with an absolute rocket of a finish from a narrow angle to make it 0-1.  On 65 minutes it looked like Henley were to be awarded a penalty as Ablitt was taken down, but the infraction was deemed to be marginally outside the area, Wharton-Richardson’s free kick going over. Only two minutes later, Henley came close again, Cooper rampaging forward, his looping shot hitting the bar, Ablitt also close on 69 minutes, his effort just over the bar.

On 80 minutes, Henley effectively put the game to bed, an accurate kick out from Punter, picked out Hooley wide on the left, he cut inside his marker and unleashed a cracker into the top corner for 0-2. Cops kept pushing forward though, Punter again forced into action late in the game, saving a fierce drive. What would surely have been a goal of the season contender, came from Hooley after 88 minutes, a 25 yard volley which flashed inches wide, with the other 21 players stationary and watching it’s flight. A wonderful effort, and the last of the game, Henley seeing the remaining minutes out for a memorable 0-2 win.

Possibly Henley’s best performance of the season, with two cracking goals sealing the win. Hard for Manager Jimmy to pick MOTM, as you could easily make a case for all of them, but it was Wharton-Richardson who got the shout, he wanted the ball for the full 90 minutes and produced some great hold up play throughout. As for Cops, this was a strangely muted performance, surprising, with what was at stake, but they’re still a fine side, which only confirms the strength of Henley’s performance, with the better side on the night winning.