Goals galore as Henley return to winning ways

SIL Premier Division: Henley Athletic FC 4-3 AFC Kesgrave

The pressures of a 3^rd game in only 6 days and work-related midweek unavailability, saw Henley only able to field a squad of 12, including a well-deserved promotion from the Ressies for promising young defender Alfie Brockman.

Henley started brightly, with a fantastic turn and shot from Cates, which was brilliantly tipped over by the Kesgrave keeper. But it was first blood to the visitors after 17 minutes, Henley unnecessarily giving the ball away in their own half, Kesgrave scoring with a well hit left foot finish from Bale making it 0-1. Henley struck back only 2 minutes later, Graham providing a knock down header to Knights, who finished neatly from just outside the area for 1-1.

A second gift from Henley on 22 minutes, as Lee’s clearance went straight to the feet of Nabard who gratefully accepted and stroked the ball home into the empty net for 1-2. An uncharacteristic error from the usually faultless Lee. But once again Henley came back almost immediately, Dozzell’s corner headed clear, only for Smythe to steer home a deft finish from the edge of the box, making it 2-2 after 25 minutes. Both sides continued to press, but the score remained 2-2 at HT.

Cates was again sharpest after the restart, a run from the halfway line, beating 2 defenders, but his shot was blocked after 49 minutes, at the other end Lee was called into action to make a fine save after 61 minutes. Henley took the lead for the 1^st time after 71 minutes, Dozzell’s corner curling straight in, under the crossbar for 3-2. On 74 minutes it was 4-2, Dozzell running through the middle and picking out Cates, his shot was saved, but Cates was first to the loose ball, he fed it to Dozzell, who passed the ball home from the edge of the box for 4-2.

On 81 minutes Kesgrave pulled one back, an excellent 22 yard free kick from Lenny tucking just inside the post to make it 4-3. On 82 minutes it looked like Henley had added another from Graham’s close-range header, but the ball was adjudged not to have crossed the line. The game ending with a 4-3 Henley victory against a committed Kesgrave side.

The MOTM vote went to Dozzell, for yet another impressive performance from this ever improving player. The energy and commitment of Knights ran him close, a mention to for Utting who was an ever present threat, and plenty of plaudits for Brockman on his 1^st team debut too.

#UppaHens

The Hat