Part Two “Debenham Returns”

SIL Premier Division: Henley Athletic FC 4-0 Debenham LCFC

A crowd of 91 saw Henley blow away the Hornets with 2 early goals, setting the tone for a comprehensive 4-0 victory in the second part of the bizarre trilogy of consecutive fixtures against the same side.This being a game we thought best to rearrange after being drawn against Debenham in the Senior Cup the previous week, the SIL did well to arrange alternative fixtures for both teams, but Debenham were insistent they wanted to play the game.

Injuries, illness and absences meant a need to change last week’s winning side, Barnard returning to the starting line-up, Keita making his 1^st start, Cole returning from injury and new signing Monteith-Weed both coming off the bench.

A blistering opening from Henley saw MOTM Tejano power home a near post header from a Wharton-Richardson corner before two minutes were up to make it 1-0. This lead was doubled after four minutes, Wharton-Richardson intercepting a pass made under pressure and driving in a fine dipping effort into the corner for 2-0.

Debenham weren’t to be deterred though, Spurling producing a great stop after 11 minutes to preserve the Henley lead, he was called into action again after 17 minutes, again delivering the goods with a great block. At the other end, only a good save from visiting keeper Podd kept out Wharton-Richardson’s shot from a tight angle. But he could do nothing about Henley’s third, Wharton-Richardson’s corner found Tejano, his header was blocked, but came back to him. He recycled the ball back to Wharton-Richardson, whose pinpoint cross to the back post was met with a bullet header from Bell to make it 3-0 after only 21 minutes.

Henley dominated the play, both sides giving their all, fully committing to every tackle, Debenham were playing some nice football, but failed to penetrate the Hens defence, leaving it 3-0 at HT.

5 minutes into the second half, Podd was sharply off his line to deny Dende as Henley continued to push to extend their lead. However Debenham were showing a lot of tenacity and kept coming, some big challenges coming in from both sides as the game tightened. Spurling raced out to smother a one on one chance at the feet of the Debenham attacker. But on 69 minutes Henley put the game beyond any shadow of doubt, Cole winning the ball in midfield and finding Wharton-Richardson, who drove forward, Cole cleverly ran around him to find space and was in the perfect position when Wharton-Richardson laid the ball in his path, to rifle into the roof of the net from just inside the box to make it 4-0. Again Podd was forced into a fine save to deny Wharton-Richardson on 81 minutes, leaving the home supporters celebrating consecutive victories at the final whistle.

Another fine team performance from Henley, against strong opposition, once again every member of the squad playing their part, but special mention must go to Jack Wharton-Richardson, for a goal and three assists.

Part three continues next week at Debenham Leisure Centre.

#UppaHens

The Hat