Hughes’s goalkeeping heroics helps secure final date

BOTH Henley Lionesses U13s and U15s have reached their respective cup finals over the past two weekends.

HENLEY LIONESSES U13s reached the county cup final after defeating top division side LAUREL PARK U13s on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

Against tough opposition Laurel Park took the lead. Henley pulled level through a scramble in the area with Iola Osborne Hunter being credited the equaliser. Henley went ahead through a Timeea Marin strike before Laurel Park levelled via a last-minute penalty. The game went to penalties with goalkeeper Emelia Hughes saving three spot-kicks as the Lionesses secured their place in the final.

Last weekend HENLEY LIONESSES U15s secured their place in their final after another penalty shoot-out, this time against HEARTS OF TEDLOTHIAN LYNXES U15s. The game was end to end, with chances at both ends in a goalless first half.

Henley took the lead in the second half through a long pass from Scarlett Jones which found its way over the top of the back four for Poppy Munro to fire a 20-yard shot over the goalkeeper.

With 15 minutes to go a well-worked move involving Isabella Stobie, Esme Waugh and Paige Sidley led to the ball falling to Poppy Ann Edwards who slid it ball past the oncoming keeper but the effort was ruled out for offside. Five minutes later the Lionesses did extend the lead, with a through ball from Munro finding Demi Bowen who took a touch and fired home for 2-0.

With only five minutes remaining Hearts pulled a goal back and just before full time equalised through a penalty.

However, in the resulting penalty shoot-out Henley held their nerve to secure their place in the May cup final.