19/8/25 Match Report Henley Athletic FC v Sporting 87 FC

SIL Premier Division: Henley Athletic FC 1-2 Sporting 87 FC

A crowd of 102 enjoyed a tight, competitive match, Sporting claiming all 3 points with a 90^th minute winner. The pressures of work and evening games meant a raft of changes to the Henley side from the previous Saturday, Taylor and cooper making their 1^st starts of the season.

The opening 30 minutes saw little action of note, both defences holding firm, leaving a battle in midfield. The first real chance of the game came after 35 minutes, the Sporting striker through one on one, but hitting his shot straight at Spurling, whilst under pressure from Graham.

Henley opened the scoring on 37 minutes, Prime picking out Taylor, who skipped past 3 defenders, cut back and curled an absolute beauty into the top corner for 1-0. On 43 minutes Sporting fired just over the bar, and on the stroke of HT Wharton-Richardson saw his shot saved, Taylor’s strike of the rebound blocked on the line, leaving it 1-0 at HT.

Sporting equalised within 3 minutes of the restart, a break down the right, a good cross, the ball laid off and drilled in low by Buckmaster. Henley should’ve struck back immediately, but were denied a stonewall penalty when Webster was pulled back in the area whilst through on goal. Sporting bravely through their bodies on the line as Henley piled the pressure on, only a fine block denying Tejano’s volley from a corner.

Sporting were having the better of it though, a ferocious strike from fully 30 yards cannoned off the bar on 60 minutes, another long range effort whistled over the bar on 69. Henley were creating chances, but were unable to find a well hit finish, Webster and Wharton-Richardson, both coming close.

So it was left to Sporting to take the points with a superbly directed header by Bunnage finding the bottom corner in the 90^th minute making it 1-2.

#UppaHens

The Hat