Written By : Tony Stone on 09/08/2026

Categories: Match Report

SIL Premier Division: Henley Athletic FC 5-1 East Bergholt utd FC

 

A crowd of 93 gathered to see the first competitive game for new manager Robbie Smythe’s fresh look Henley squad, a mix of youth and experience featuring 8 debutants, and saw a fine team performance defeating perennial bogey side Bergholt 5-1.

 

Bergholt saw an early opportunity go to waste, before the game exploded into action in the 6th minute, Tejano hitting the woodwork from fully 30 yards on his 550th club appearance. A minute later Henley took the lead, a corner from Wadey saw Tejano feed the ball to Golding who poked home from 6 yards to make it 1-0.

 

On 10 minutes it was 2-0, Golding winning back possession on the press and crossing for Harrison Francis to finish well from 6 yards out. The press from Henley caused Bergholt problems again in the 14th minute, Wadey winning the ball and finding Golding who looped narrowly wide. Golding came close again after 30 minutes, seeing his shot brilliantly tipped over the bar by Scrivener in the Bergholt goal. Just before the break Henley came close again, Scrivener again the Bergholt hero denying Francis.

 

Bergholt started the 2nd half well, flashing a shot just over on 47 minutes, before pulling a goal back on 51 minutes, despite being pushed out to a narrow angle by Wardley, Warren did well to get his shot away, a fine finish to make it 2-1. This saw Bergholt’s best period of the game, emboldened by their goal they put pressure on Henley, albeit to no avail.

 

On 66 minutes great work from young Harrison Francis down the left, besting his marker and firing a low ball across goal, where Shore raced in to slam home from close range to make it 3-1. Henley pressure continued and was rewarded in the 75th minute, the Bergholt defence not dealing with a driven goal kick from Lee, Golding pounced on the opportunity, winning the ball before cutting inside to slot home from the edge of the box for 4-1.

 

There was still time for one more though, in the 91st minute and what a great passing move it was, Nile Francis knocking the ball down to Wadey, he picked out Crisp who found Fike, with his back to goal he laid off to Golding, who played a pinpoint ball into the path of Wadey who finished well for a final score of 5-1.

 

A terrific performance from Henley, with the whole squad playing their part, 4 goals from debutants with all the front men finding the net. MOTM went to Reece Golding who had a great game, but many others were deserving of credit, the youngsters, Francis, Wright and Wadey all excelling too. Smythey has built a promising side, with a great team spirit, evident throughout the game, as well as afterwards.

 

Great to see our friends from Bergholt, who as always stayed long after the final whistle to enjoy the sun and the Henley hospitality.

 

#UppaHens

 

The Hat