Written By : Tony Stone on 13/08/2025

Categories: Match Report

SIL Premier Division: Wickham Market FC  1-2 Henley Athletic FC

 

The crowd of 52 was bolstered by a significant Henley away support, who enjoyed a hard fought, tight game, decided by two quality 1st half finishes from Kane Webster. Henley manager Jimmy Brown, was forced into changes, with 3 of the starting defenders from Saturday’s game with Falcons subsequently out injured.

 

Henley had the majority of the early play and took the lead after 20 minutes, when a fine passing move was finished off by Webster sitting the home keeper Bevans down and coolly slotting home for 0-1. Within two minutes the lead was doubled, an individual piece of skill from Webster, seeing Bevans off his line and lobbing him from 30 yards to make it 0-2. Cole came close after 30 minutes, weaving his was past 3 defenders, his vicious strike acrobatically tipped over to safety.

 

Wickham pulled one back after 40 minutes, Double barged out of the way, before a well-taken finish in off the foot of the far post by Perry made it 1-2 at HT.

 

This sparked Wickham into action, Spurling forced into a terrific save 5 minutes into the 2nd half. Wharton-Richardson twice saw shots blocked before Wickham sent one narrowly wide on 60 minutes. Tejano had a point-blank header from a corner superbly saved by Bevans and Webster also saw a shot flash wide, with Cole also firing over. Henley had to withstand a lot of home pressure, as they repeatedly launched balls out of defence into the Henley box.

 

Keeper Bevans, who was having such a spectacular game, felled Tejano in the box in the 90th minute, but redeemed himself saving Webster’s spot kick to keep the score at 1-2. Spurling was again called into action, to punch away late in time added on, as Wickham sent everyone forward looking for the equaliser, however Henley held on to collect their 1st points of the season.

 

It was a much-changed Wickham side from the ones we faced last season, but still full of graft, physicality and commitment. As for Henley, much improved from Saturday, with Tejano picking up MOTM with an all-action performance, Webster also showing the fans what they can expect, in front of goal.

 

#UppaHens

 

The Hat