Written By : Tony Stone on 17/08/2025

Categories: Uncategorized

SIL Premier Division: Saxmundham Sports FC  2-3 Henley Athletic FC

 

A large and friendly crowd of 112, enjoyed the summer sun and a good, competitive game between these two sides. Henley coming back from a two goal deficit to take all three points with a late, and controversial winner. Sax had had an issue with their shirts, and with the ref’s permission were allowed to field two number 2’s and 5’s, which at times caused some confusion! Good to see common sense from the Ref to get the game on.

 

The game saw an even start, before Sax took an early lead after only 5 minutes, a pacey passing move down the right, saw a low cross driven in, with was superbly struck home on the half volley by Jones for 1-0, a great finish. Henley came close to the equaliser after 18 minutes, Webster crashing a low drive off the foot of the post.

 

Sax were causing problems at the other end, their confidence boosted by the early lead, a free kick headed narrowly wide after 30 minutes, increasing their lead after 35 minutes with a lofted freekick from Moore, somehow finding it’s way over Spurling into the corner for 2-0.

 

Henley responded immediately, pulling one back after 37 minutes, Webster releasing Dende down the right, his cross tipped rearwards by home keeper Johnson, but quickly collected by Wharton-Richardson, he squared it to an unmarked Tejano, who swept home from close range for 1-2. This sparked a period of Henley control, with Webster once again striking the foot of the post on 44 minutes, just before the half drew to a close.

 

Henley pressed for an equaliser from the restart and were rewarded after 61 minutes, a good pass from Dozzell released Webster, he took the ball to the line, before beating his man and picking out Wharton-Richardon at the back post, who poked home for 2-2. Henley continued to press, with Sax restricted to getting forward on the break, their only real chance of the half coming from a corner, the ball headed downward but blocked at the post by Double.

 

Henley’s 85th minute came with an initial touch of controversy, subs Cooper and Taylor burst forward into the box, Cooper squared the ball to Taylor, his initial shot was blocked by Johnson, but Wharton-Richardson was on hand to fire in the rebound. The ball blocked by a defender some 2ft behind his line. Despite initial Henley celebrations and protests, play continued for some 20 seconds, before the assistant raised their flag, consulted with the referee and the goal was awarded to bring the final score to 2-3, with one of the Sax number 5s sinbinned for his protests. Whilst the decision took a little time (quicker than VAR though), it was the right one and good to see an assistant have the confidence to give it.

 

Despite a poor start, Henley were worthy of their win, controlling large periods of the game, especially in midfield with Tejano and Turner-Wilson dominant, MOTM went to two goal man Wharton-Richardson, whose new partnership with Webster is starting to bear fruit.

 

Sax played some lovely football, as well as working hard throughout, I’m sure they’ll be disappointed not to collect at least a point.

 

Finally a big thank you to all at Sax for the welcome and their hospitality, great pitch and facilities with a big friendly crowd. When we visited 2 years ago in the league cup, we all commented that they would be a credit to senior football, how right we were.

 

#UppaHens

 

The Hat