SONNING 6 - 2 HENLEY
5th January 2008

Sonning had been looking forward to their annual battle against their geographically closest rivals Henley. This derby fixture has produced some tough but good natured battles over the last few seasons, with Sonning generally on the wrong end of a good drubbing.

However, this year's pre-season friendly saw a 3-3 draw, and Sonning were feeling that perhaps this was going to be the year to get one over on Henley. Still full of Christmas pudding, both teams lumbered into action with plenty of puffing and wheezing. Henley started well with possession and looked to capitalise on Sonning's inability to complete a pass, stop a ball, breathe or run. Barely five minutes in and no less than four Sonning hands went up asking to be substituted.

Settling in, Sonning began to string together some passes, and Eighteen drove into the Henley D where his quick skills were met by an 'over enthusiastic' challenge from the Henley defence. However, exiting the other side with the ball, Eighteen made himself half a yard to send a well struck ball beyond the outstretched leg of the Keeper and into the right hand corner of the goal.

Sadly, Umpire Sellwood had blown for a Short corner right on the strike, so the goal did not stand, and the following corner routine broke down to give Henley the hit.

Any thoughts from Sonning players along the lines of 'oh no, I hope it isn't going to be one of those games' were compounded when Henley stole a goal at the other end to go 1-0 up.

Fortunately, a dummy run from Snape allowed a threaded ball from Eighteen to an increasingly mobile Cheeseman, releasing the midfielder in the D and the resulting strike saw the Henley Keeper beaten again, only this time the goal stood. 1-1 at half time.

The (now injured) Butler rambled a half time team talk as usual, but summarised with the simple observations to work off the ball, retain possession and be patient.

Belief in their ability to overcome the opposition pressure was rewarded by as the Sonning forwards isolated the Henley keeper for Ben Snape, arriving at the back left post, to find the net. This was to be followed by another similar move to go 3-1 up making it a brace for Snape.

Henley knew that to stay in touch at this stage of the season, they needed at least a point, and they boldly pushed men high up the pitch searching for a weakness in the Sonning defence. The gamble appeared to be paying off as Henley applied pressure. But the Sonning defence repelled the onslaught, and released the ball to the Sonning midfield who were able to counterattack into the wide open Henley half. The speedy attack gave Sonning a numerical advantage which was used to draw the keeper once more for O'Mara to slot home another goal at the back post.

Despite the continued good passing by the opposition, Sonning were suddenly looking in control with a 3 goal cushion. But Henley were reluctant to roll over, and after another spell of pressure, and several excellent saves of close range shots by McCarty between the posts, the visitors secured their second.

Sonning response was swift and decisive. A passing move saw Sonning advance the ball up the right and almost to the Henley baseline when the cross by-passed Snape and found Chris Roberts executing his signature 'windmill wind up'. The Henley Keeper didn't have time to flinch as the ball rocketed into the top right hand corner- a real net buster. Toot Toot- the Toon express has come to town!

Henley must have known it was all over, but valiantly pressed up searching for a consolation goal. But once again a turn over in the Sonning half caught the increasingly desperate Henley over committed and another breakaway saw Cheeseman bag his second of the Match, making it Sonning 6, Henley 2.

A fine scalp for the 3's who look to 'Host and Toast' Aylesbury next Saturday.

D.o.T.D.- Captain Butler for only managing 15 minutes playing time before demonstrating the crippling effects of mince pie poisoning.
M.o.t.M.- several nominations amongst the Defensive Union, and recognition of the creative and energetic performances of Toon and Cookie, but the eventual winner was Mac for his valiant saves to deny Henley.