Match Report

SIL Premier Division: Grundisburgh FC 1-1 Henley Athletic FC

As always, a warm welcome awaited the Henley Ultras at our friends at Grundisburgh, swelling the crowd to 91, to enjoy a competitive game.

Henley started brightly, dominating possession, a pattern that was to repeat itself for the majority of the game, but it was Grundisburgh who took the lead after 11 minutes, a freekick, knocked down to and well finished from the edge of the box by Beaumont for 1-0. Henley heads didn’t drop and on 13 minutes Webster whistled a low freekick narrowly wide. On 23 minutes an overhead kick from Webster was headed goalward by Tejano, only to be denied by a fine stop from Read.

At the other end Spurling produced two good stops from long range efforts, Some controversy in the 43^th minute Wharton-Richardson’s cross looked to be blocked by an arm, but despite protests no penalty was awarded. Monteith-Weed then saw his effort saved by Read, before a frantic goalmouth scramble saw Grundisburgh’s defence bravely hurl themselves in to block multiple efforts, in a matter of seconds to preserve their 1-0 lead at HT.

Henley spent the majority of the second half camped out in the Grundisburgh half, but struggled to find a way through their well organised and effective defence. Dende and Wharton-Richardson, both beaten to through balls by the onrushing Read, whilst Spurling also had to be at full stretch to keep out another long-range strike. In the 84^th minute Grundisburgh had the ball in the net, once again after a freekick, but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

Henley continued to pile on the pressure and were finally rewarded in the 92nd minute. Cole’s corner was initially blocked but the loose ball was recycled back to him by Keita, his cross was brilliantly met on the volley from 6 yards by White for the equaliser. Leaving it 1-1 with only time added on to play, indeed Henley nearly took all three points seconds before the final whistle, Bell’s header from a Compton cross, brilliantly denied by Read with a one-handed save at the foot of the post, leaving the final score at 1-1.

All in all, a draw was the right result, both sides giving their all in a tight game, played in a good spirited and a fair manner. Monteith-Weed impressed in his 1^st start for Henley, as did Compton in his debut off the bench, but MOTM went to White, not only for his equaliser, but for a solid performance in defence throughout.

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