Four wins on the bounce!

SIL Premier Division: Henley Athletic FC 3-1 Bacton Utd 89 FC

A crowd of 67 saw Henley achieve their 4^th consecutive victory, with a 3-1 win over Bacton, a dominant first half display, effectively sealing the points.

Henley started smartly, taking the lead after only 10 minutes, Hayden playing in Dende who beat his man wide right, and delivered a perfect cross for Cates to deftly head home from 6 yards for 1-0. Cates came close again after 20 minutes, Hardy tipping his effort round the post to safety. Henley continued to press, Francis hitting a magnificent half volley, which whistled just over the bar after 28 minutes.

Henley’s dominance was rewarded after 30 minutes with a great team goal, Bell striding out from defence, exchanging a one-two with Dozzell on the edge of the box, Bell’s pass picked out Knights, who threaded the ball through to Dozzell, he cut inside his marker and picked his spot, his fine left foot strike finding the bottom corner for 2-0. On 44 minutes, once again Hardy came to Bacton’s rescue with a great save at his near post to deny Hayden, leaving the score 2-0 at HT.

Bacton had a good spell early in the 2^nd half, piling the pressure on Henley, but failing to create a real chance. But on 62 minutes it was Henley who extended their lead, Dozzell’s corner was cleared, but the ball was recycled back to him by Smythe and he curled in another cross, met by Tejano who controlled and found Knights, he flicked it on to Bell, who finished neatly, slamming home for 3-0.

On 67 minutes Bacton pulled a goal back with a well-placed header at the back post from Finbow to make it 3-1. This encouraged the visitors, who never gave up trying to find a way back into the game, but it was Henley who continued to have the better of the chances, on 82 minutes, Dende crossing to Taylor who was denied by another fine save from Hardy at his back post. Taylor was electric, on 84 minutes he broke down the right, before unleashing a vicious strike, but again Hardy was equal to it, tipping away at his near post. Again on 86 minutes Taylor wove his way through five defenders, with some astonishing close control in the box, with Hardy finally beaten, only a last-ditch block on the line prevented a goal of the season contender, the game finishing 3-1.

The Henley MOTM vote went to Bell, as outstanding in defence as always, he also turned creator and scorer on the day. Much praise also for Knights, a real terrier in midfield and Dende, who caused problems for the visitors whenever he had the ball. A mention to for the cameo from Taylor, who had the home faithful purring with his mercurial display.

Bacton can hold their heads up, they never gave up and were still coming forward, right to the final whistle, their keeper Hardy delivered a terrific display and must surely have been their MOTM.

#UppaHens

The Hat