Green nets treble as league leaders put 10 past rivals

HENLEY 1sts remain top of South Central Premier League Division 2 after thrashing hosts SONNING 1sts 10-1 last Saturday.

The game started slowly after a few team changes and a late draft in of substitute Nick Catlin.

Chris Green opened the scoring when a shot from captain Ed Foster was poached by Green a yard off the line. Phil Laurie slotted in the second three minutes later.

Foster got himself on the score sheet at the beginning of the second quarter which was closely followed by a goal for Catlin with a shot from the top of the D.

Tim Herbert was on hand to secure the fifth goal, finishing Laurie’s reverse-stick shot with a deft touch. Just before half-time Green popped up for his second, flicking the ball over the line and over the flailing Sonning defender.

In the second half the unrelenting pressure soon told when Laurie was back on the score sheet. Sonning rallied a little and won a penalty corner, which was deflected over the Henley keeper.

Henley hit straight back with Green who finished calmly to complete his hat-trick. Foster produced goal number nine and two minutes from time, a team goal was finished in style by Catlin.

In Division 2 North, HENLEY 2nds were held to a 2-2 draw at home to THAME 1sts.

Henley started brightly and took the lead early on when Nico Jean-Jean carved open the defence and found a killer pass to captain Will Beaumont who deflected home.

Thame gradually worked their way back into the contest as they found an equaliser just before half-time.

Henley regained the lead when Robert Farina produced a fine run forward before picking out Nico Jean-Jean to score.

Once again, Thame managed to draw level for a second time. From there the visitors defended resolutely, frustrating Henley in the closing stages and denying them a late winner.

HENLEY 4ths were held to a 1-1 draw away at Division 1 Thames basement side SOUTH BERKSHIRE 5ths.

The hosts had a much younger development side than their Oxfordshire visitors and the home side’s younger legs tested their opponents early on.

South Berks had a strong first half, leading 1-0 at half-time. Henley came out strongly in the second half and created numerous chances. Henley equalised when a short corner saw Alex Woolfrey collect the ball from Mike Woolfrey, to then slip the ball past the South Berks goalkeeper.

Division 3 Thames mid-table sides HENLEY 5ths and visitors MARLOW 8ths shared the points in a 3-3 thriller.

A youthful Marlow side started strongly, immediately putting Henley under pressure and racing into a 2-0 lead.

Gradually, Henley’s midfield began to find their rhythm. With passes starting to flow and the penetrating runs of Charlie Edgell and captain Sam Austin troubling the Marlow defence, Henley forced a succession of short corners and finally began to apply some real pressure. That pressure eventually paid off when Nicholas Segrue unleashed a strike into the top corner, leaving the Marlow keeper flailing.

Henley pushed forward as half-time approached. Piers Edgehill and Simon Taylor combined neatly to free Segrue who levelled the scores.

Marlow regained the lead with 15 minutes to play. Henley dug deep once more, and it was skipper Sam Austin, who finished sharply after a flowing team move to level the scores at 3-3.