Written By : Tony Stone on 16/08/2026

Categories: Match Report

SIL Premier Division: Henley Athletic FC 0-1 Leiston FC Development

 

102 spectators watched a tight and intriguing match at the Community Centre, with Henley falling to their first defeat of the season, despite controlling the majority of the game.

 

The opening opportunity went Henley’s way, Fike having an effort tipped over in the 1st minute, Henley pressure continued and on 14 minutes Shore, on his 150th appearance saw his 30-yard drive tipped over. Less than a minute later Leiston came close, a great break down the left and cross from Forrester but the weak header was sent well wide. After 18 minutes, yet again Henley came close, Fike running through and lobbing the advancing keeper, however his effort bounced off the bar to safety.

 

Leiston took the lead after 22 minutes, somewhat against the run of play, but what a goal it was! Long jinking his way through the centre of the Henley defence and finishing deftly to make it 0-1. Henley fought back immediately, on 26 minutes Nile Francis and Fike both having efforts cleared off the line following a Harrison Francis corner. On 31 minutes Paine flashed a freekick millimeters wide of the post as Henley kept pushing, two minutes later a great cross from Tejano was headed just over by Harrison Francis, leaving the score 0-1 at the break.

 

Leiston keeper Copping continued his heroics after the break, again tipping over a Fike header after 49 minutes. Henley continued the pressure, but a well organised Leiston defended well, Wright came off the bench and sent an effort narrowly over after 70 minutes. On 85 minutes Wadey saw a low drive deflected just past the post as Henley threw everything forward. The 90th minute saw Leiston reduced to 10 men, Green picking up a 2nd yellow card, but despite the man advantage in time added on, Henley couldn’t find the equaliser.

 

A frustrating day for the Hens, who controlled the majority of the game, Lee in the Henley goal not having to make a proper save throughout the game, with the visitors scoring with their only on target attempt of note, albeit it what an attempt it was! But it was still a decent performance from the Hens, Paine picking up MOTM with a colossus like display. For the visitors, despite Long’s terrific goal, I’d have to award their MOTM to keeper Copping, a handful of top saves giving them their victory.

 

Video highlights of the match will be out on Monday.

 

#UppaHens

 

The Hat