Resilient Hotspurs hold firm before late goals seal defeat

AFC HENLEY HOTSPURS U16s delivered a spirited and disciplined performance despite falling 3-0 to league leaders FINCHAMPSTEAD EAGLES U16s at Jubilee Park last Saturday.

From the first whistle, Hotspurs showed intent, defending with organisation and breaking with pace down both flanks.

On the left, Aarian Atwal was a constant threat, repeatedly testing the Finchampstead back line with direct runs and well-placed crosses, linking effectively with wingback Will Salek, who impressed with his composed defensive work.

On the opposite side, Arthur Massie used his speed and agility to drive the team forward, providing dangerous deliveries into the box for striker Ollie Jomar and attacking midfielder Raphie Barron, who worked tirelessly to support the front line.

Finchampstead demonstrated why they are top of the table, pushing forward with purpose and forcing the Hotspurs defence into crucial interventions.

Captain and right wingback Ollie O’Connor, alongside centrebacks Rupert Pusey-Arsyad and Max Mollison, held firm, making vital challenges to protect stand-in goalkeeper Ollie McGrath who repeatedly put himself in harm’s way to deny the visitors scoring opportunities.

In midfield, Luke Taylor and Leo Palmer battled relentlessly, breaking up play and driving the team forward. Atwal came close to opening the scoring midway through the first half, weaving inside from the left and carrying the ball into the six-yard box before firing narrowly wide of the far post.

James Noble was introduced up front and Oscar Sheppard slotted into midfield as the Hotspurs pressed for a breakthrough. But in the final minute of first-half stoppage time, Finchampstead capitalised on a rare gap in the home defence, breaking away cleanly to score the opener.

The Hotspurs reshaped after the interval and continued to trouble the visitors. Palmer struck the crossbar with a powerful effort, while Noble and Sheppard each forced further chances, Noble stretching the Finchampstead defence with his pace and intensity. Sheppard also saw a promising effort from the right.

Finchampstead doubled their lead midway through the half with another swift counterattack. Despite the setback, the Hotspurs continued to push forward, and controversy followed when Sheppard was brought down in what appeared to be a foul inside the box but the referee awarded a free kick on the edge of the area and gave the visiting player a yellow car. Palmer’s resulting strike forced a strong save. Finchampstead sealed the win late on with a fine finish into the top corner.

AFC HENLEY HURRICANES U15s slipped to a 4-1 defeat to high-flying FAB BLUES U15s away at Bisham Abbey.

The Blues had the lion’s share of the chances, but good defending and some good saves from goalkeeper George Hodges kept them at bay and at the interval, the match was still goalless.

Charlie Dix created opportunities to score in the second half while at the other end Louie Williams had another good game in defence.

The Hurricanes opened the scoring when after good work from Adam Hanley and Rupert Hepburn, Will Goulden received the cross and slotted the ball home.

Goulden almost doubled the advantage a few minutes later when he curled the ball around the keeper but the shot hit the post. The Blues pulled level through a penalty awarded following a handball with goalkeeper Harrison Carpenter Buckett coming close to saving his second penalty in two weeks. The Blues used their momentum to turn the screw, adding three more goals to run out 4-1 winners.

AFC HENLEY HORNETS U14s continued their impressive post-Christmas form with a hard-fought 3-2 victory against FINCHAMPSTEAD U14s at Shiplake Memorial Ground.

The visitors started brightly and struck first, capitalising on a mistake to take the lead. The Hornets equalised when good work from Ernie Sterjo saw him cross into the box for Zino Bellout to score.

With momentum shifting, Henley began to control possession and stretch the Finchampstead defence. The second goal arrived from a set-piece: a pinpoint corner from Antonio Candilio found Hepburn, who produced an outside of the boot finish to put the Hornets ahead.

Henley’s third goal saw a run down the wing from James Lovelock whose cross caused panic in the Finchampstead back line, with a defender turning the ball into his own net.

At 3-1, Henley looked comfortable and in control but a brief lapse in concentration allowed Finchampstead to capitalise on some sloppy play and pull a goal back.

AFC HENLEY HURRICANES U14s secured their second win of the season as they defeated MAIDENHEAD RAPTORS U14s 7-2.

Goalkeeper Jethro Kock and defenders Seb Graves, Harvey Allen, Seb Spiers and Ace Hawkins-Bekir all performed well at the back.

In midfield Amen Kharmellah, Roman Bosklopper, Toby Nicholson, Zach Norman, Cass Cartland and Fred Hyde did made their presence felt and securing possession.

Henley’s scorers were Amen Kharmellah (two), Cass Cartland, Cristian Andreescu, Fred Hyde and Seb Berry (two).