Written By : Tony Stone on 24/10/2026

Categories: Match Report

SIL Premier League: Henley Athletic FC 2-0 Coplestonians FC

 

91 brave souls, albeit it half watching from the warm and dry of the clubhouse windows, endured terrible conditions to see Henley defeat reigning champions Coplestonians 2-0 in a very competitive game.

 

The opening half saw an intense midfield battle with chances for either side few and far between. The best effort of the half came on 27 minutes, Wadey heading down a Nile Francis cross, visiting keeper Deacon athletically tipping over Tejano’s acrobatic effort. But the score remained 0-0 at the break.

 

The rain and wind made things difficult for both sides, but it was Henley who managed the conditions best. Deacon again was the Cops saviour on 53 minutes, Golding’s low drive from the right, directed towards his own goal before Deacon tipped round the post. Again Deacon denied Henley after 55 minutes, a low long range effort from Paine, tipped onto his post and to safety. On 60 minutes it was Deacon to the rescue again, diving to make a great stop at the foot of his post from a Paine freekick.

 

Henley finally got their just reward a minute later, Paine releasing Golding down the left who fired in a low cross across the six yard box, met by Wadey and slammed home for 1-0.  Within a minute Cops were looking to equalise, but Bloom made a great diving save to tip round Linard’s well struck effort. Cops piled on the pressure, forcing a series of corners, but the Henley defence held firm, whilst still pushing at the other end, Rankin flashing a shot just wide after 81 minutes.

 

In the 90th minute Cops came within inches of equalising, a goalmouth scramble seeing the ball cleared off the line. Henley put the result beyond doubt in the 92nd minute, winning the ball back in midfield, Petrea picked out Fike’s run down the right, he cut inside and drilled the ball across Deacon into the bottom corner for a final score of 2-0.

 

A great performance in dreadful conditions against a top side. Nile Francis picked up the MOTM award, but the whole squad showed character, drive and commitment to earn a well deserved victory.

 

#UppaHens

 

The Hat