Hill converts short corner for side’s 100th goal of campaign

HENLEY LADIES 1sts went down to a 4-2 South Central Women’s Premier Division 1 to BOURNEMOUTH 1sts last Saturday following a hard-fought clash on the South Coast.

The hosts took an early lead from a penalty stroke inside the first five minutes and then doubled their advantage soon after with a quick counter-attack.

Henley responded well in the second quarter, pulling a goal back from a penalty corner rebound that Lucy Jean-Jean converted.

Henley continued their momentum in the second half and equalised through a fine team move, slicing through the Bournemouth press to leave Lucy Wiseman free at the top of the D to fire home.

However, despite drawing level, Henley conceded twice in the final 10 minutes. Goalkeeper Daisy Ruhle made several outstanding saves to keep her side in the game, along with a goal-line save from Rachel Herbert.

Division 2 North league leaders HENLEY LADIES 2nds ran out 3-1 winners at OXFORD HAWKS 4ths.

Henley got off to a bright start and launched an early attack into the Hawks D, forcing the keeper into a fine save.

Henley’s pressure paid off when after a flurry of shots on goal, Hayley Munt produced a clinical reverse-stick sweep to find the back of the net and give the visitors the lead.

Henley struck again soon after when the ball was worked into the D from midfield, and a neat one-two between Chloe Lyons and Emma Buckham-Hedges carved open the defence. Lyons calmly slipped the ball past the keeper to make it 2-0.

Oxford Hawks pulled a goal back with a well-worked finish but Henley continued to apply pressure, and Lyons was on hand again for the third goal. Intercepting a defensive hit-out, she drove into the D and got a shot away. Although the ball became lodged under the keeper’s pads, Lyons reacted quickest, retrieving the ball near the baseline and firing into the top of the net.

Henley’s back line were impressive throughout, with Ella Shute making a series of strong tackles, while Sophie Miller and Georgia Florentino provided composure in defence and goalkeeper Georgie Grocock pulled off several good saves.

HENLEY LADIES 3rds remain in second place in Division 2 Thames after beating visitors AMERSHAM AND CHALFONT 5ths 3-1.

The hosts took the lead when crisp passing from the back released Jo Corbett who drove the ball into the D, finding Ingrid Johnson for a clever deflection past the goalkeeper after nine minutes.

Henley dominated possession for the next 15 minutes, their pressure earning a short corner. Rosie Wilkinson injected cleanly, finding Charlotte Irving who scored into the far corner to make it 2-0 at half-time.

The midfield trio of Steph Rowe Elliot, Maeve Moorcroft and Poppy Williams controlled the second half with composed passing and relentless support play. Their efforts paid off when Wilkinson outwitted the goalkeeper to extend the lead to 3-0.

The visitors had a spell of pressure that saw them pull a goal back but Henley, with player of the match producing several vital defensive blocks, supported by calm Fi Dunn and Flo Hughes, held on to extend their unbeaten run to 14 matches.

HENLEY LADIES 4ths maintained their 100 per cent Division 4 Thames record as they closed in on the league title with a 7-0 thrashing at MAIDENHEAD 5ths.

Henley quickly established control after Maidenhead’s pushback, though early pressure did not immediately translate into goals.

The breakthrough came when Charlotte Clarke reacted fastest to a rebound to open the scoring. Further goals followed from Charlotte Jean-Jean’s determined solo run, Clarke again, and Tilly Alderton from a well-worked short corner.

By half-time, Henley had built a commanding 5-0 lead, with their defence and midfield linking effectively and maintaining relentless pressure.

At the break, coach Nico Jean-Jean made an appearance to encourage more expansive play but the change disrupted Henley’s rhythm and allowed Maidenhead to grow into the game.

Much of the second half saw sustained pressure on Henley’s defence, but goalkeeper Jasmine Hillyard delivered a composed performance, confidently repelling short corners and shots to preserve the clean sheet. The defensive unit stood firm under increasing rain and pressure.

With the team sitting on
99 goals for the season at half-time, the hunt for the landmark 100th added extra motivation. After regaining composure, Henley forced further chances, and Amy Hill converted from a short corner to secure both a 6-0 lead and the century milestone. Captain Ali Jean-Jean later added a seventh with a clinical finish to seal a 7-0 victory.