Alderton on target as Henley maintain 100 per cent record

HENLEY LADIES 1sts slipped to fifth in the South Central Women’s Premier Division 1 table after going down to a 5-0 defeat at league leaders WITNEY 1sts last Saturday.

The first half saw Henley match a strong home side, keeping them locked at 0–0 and frustrating their fast attack with disciplined defence.

Henley earned the first short corner of the game — followed by several more more — but despite the pressure, the ball wouldn’t cross the line as the Witney defence pulled off a series of goal-line saves.

On two occasions, Henley were reduced to 10 players in the first half but their effort and composure never dipped. Continuing to move the ball well through midfield, Henley produced some good linking play through Emma Joseph and Charlotte Hetherington.

In the second half Witney found the breakthrough as momentum shifted. Henley heads dropped a little and the home forwards took advantage, adding four more goals in quick succession.

Despite the scoreline, there were some good performances across the pitch from the visitors in particular from Billie Moore with her solid defence and great attacking play down the right.

Division 2 North league leaders HENLEY LADIES 2nds moved three points clear at the top of the table after defeating second placed visitors NEWBURY AND THATCHAM 1sts 2-1.

Henley started brightly, playing composed, basic hockey and moving the ball well between the back line and midfield. Newbury pressed hard early on, forcing Henley to work patiently to break down a strong defensive press.

While Newbury looked threatening on the counter, Henley maintained control, with the solid defensive unit of Alyx Clark, Jane Dench, Georgie Grocock and Giorgia Fiorentino keeping them at bay.

Making good use of their pace up front, Henley struck first. An early ball from midfield released the forward line, allowing Henley to break into the attacking D and win a short corner. Dench delivered the ball which Ellia Gurney met at the far post to give Henley the lead.

Half time brought an added challenge, with four Henley players needing to leave for a prior engagement, reducing the squad to 12.

The second half began with Henley moving the ball quickly and working hard off the ball, crucial with only one substitute available. That challenge intensified further when captain Emma Buckham-Hedges was forced off with a pulled hamstring, leaving Henley with no subs for the remainder of the game.

Despite this, the match remained end-to-end, and Henley showed resilience to keep Newbury at bay. Another strong attacking move, linking play neatly between Hayley Munt, Harri Hayes and Chloe Lyons, resulted in a short corner after Newbury lifted the ball dangerously. From the restart, Hayley drove the ball through, only for it to be stopped illegally by a defender’s foot on the line for a penalty stroke which Lyons slotted home to make it 2–0.

With two minutes of the match remaining Newbury pulled a goal back to make it 2–1. The closing moments were tense, and with just 30 seconds remaining Newbury broke through once more but the Henley defence held firm, the attacker tripping over her own stick before the home side cleared their lines to secure the win.

HENLEY LADIES 3rds, sitting second in Division 2 Thames, ran out comfortable 4-0 winners away at third-placed MARLOW 6ths. The result extended Henley’s unbeaten run to 12 matches and moved them six points above Marlow in the table.

Good team play led to the opening goal, as Rosie Wilkinson timed her run perfectly before delivering a pinpoint cross for Ingrid Johnson-Leene, who calmly slotted past the keeper. Minutes later, Wilkinson added a second herself, finishing clinically to give Henley a commanding start.

Confidence flowed through the side, with slick passing from the back allowing Henley to dominate possession. Goals three and four followed just before half time, both scored by Jo Corbett after good midfield delivery from Fleur Wood and Emily Matthews.

Marlow responded in the second half by tightening defensively, forcing Henley to rely on fresh legs and composure. Flo Hughes and Martha Peach were impressive at the back, sending balls down the wings and earning joint player of the match honours. In front of them, Fi Dunn and Ang Botha controlled the middle, ensuring Marlow created little inside the D. A disciplined defensive performance meant no short corners were conceded.

Division 4 Thames league leaders HENLEY LADIES 4ths maintained their 100 per cent record as they thumped hosts YATELEY 4ths 5-0. The win, Henley’s 14th in a row, moved them 11 points clear at the top of the table.

Henley, who had beaten Yateley 6-0 in their home fixture earlier in the season, started steadily but initially struggled to convert their possession into goals, with the home goalkeeper producing a string of saves.

After settling into the match, the breakthrough came when Tilly Alderton persistently chased down a rebound to score.

The goal sparked Henley into life, and captain Ali Jean-Jean soon doubled the lead from a well-worked short corner.

Momentum continued to build before half time as Charlotte Moore added a third with a composed finish, while Amy Hill capped off an impressive attacking spell by cleverly lifting the ball over the keeper to make it 4–0 at the break. Much of the play remained in Yateley’s defensive circle, leaving Henley’s goalkeeper largely untested.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Henley pressing high and controlling possession. Despite determined resistance from the hardworking Yateley keeper, Katherine Alderton eventually converted after a flurry of attempts, to seal a 5–0 victory and another clean sheet. Hill and Moore were named players of the match.