Spurling the shootout hero as Henley progress

Morrison Freight Cup: Cockfield Utd FC 1-1 Henley Athletic FC

It was a case of the road less travelled Saturday as the players and travelling ultras made their way to Cockfield, seemingly all via different routes as Google/Waze were heavily relied upon, our only visit as a 1^st team in some 15 years or so.

Henley started brightly, Cates clear through before being halted by a late flag, then Dozzell’s low effort from the edge of the box was tipped round after 8 minutes. Henley continued to apply the pressure, Graham heading a Taylor corner just wide on 26 minutes, a goalmouth scramble 2 minutes later saw Dende and Cates denied. Whilst Henley were shading possession Cockfield looked to get forward at every opportunity, but every effort went high and wide. Cockfield were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal, when on 30 minutes Taylor was brought down in the box and Henley were awarded a penalty, White calmly stepping up to smash it home for 0-1. Cockfield did have further chances but couldn’t get an attempt on target, leaving it 0-1 at HT.

Taylors’s free kick clipped the top of the bar after 49 minutes, whilst Dende had an effort tipped round the post on 65 minutes as Henley looked to increase their lead in a very scrappy half. As it was, Henley lost possession in midfield and Cockfield equalised after 79 minutes, with a good break and tidy finish from Bowyer making it 1-1. Henley pushed for the winner, Keita’s long-range effort going just over, and Webster heading wide, but it finished 1-1 and the game went to penalties.

Cockfield’s 1^st effort came back off the post, Henley keeper Spurling, brilliantly saving their next two, whilst Smythe, Bell and White made no mistake with their spot kicks, Henley progressing to the next round 0-3 on penalties.

Despite Spurling’s heroics in the shootout, White deservedly gained the MOTM vote with a great performance, leading by example.

#UppaHens

The Hat