Thames Valley Premier League Division Two
The Triangle, Henley-on-Thames
Admission: None
Programme: £1.00
Attendance: 175 (approximate)
When I was shortlisting games to take in during June, and with the Thames Valley Premier League one of the very few leagues within my comfortable range playing on, a visit to former Hellenic League outfit Henley Town was a high priority, and today was the only home game for their first team throughout June. It became even more appealing once it became a title decider, a programme would be issued, and thanks to some good publicity, a decent crowd promised to be present.
The Triangle Ground is located about a mile south east from Henley-on-Thames town centre, close to the River Thames, and along which I walked before and after the game -extremely scenic and charming walks indeed, between the wooden bridges around Marsh Lock and along the course of the Henley Regatta. A public car park is available immediately outside of the ground, although being also popular with walkers, it filled very quickly. Entrance is gained in one corner of the ground, through an open gate next to a colourful turnstile block, complete with club signage above it, which is no longer in use. A modern metallic all-seater stand straddles the half way line along the length closest to the entrance, and a modern clubhouse building sits towards the far corner, with a spacious seated area inside, and a good range of alcoholic drinks available from the bar, as well as hot drinks and a really friendly welcome. Between the clubhouse and the stand there are several tables and scattered on an open patio area. Behind the end closest to the entrance, there is covered standing available in a metallic stand immediately behind the goal, whilst there is just hard standing behind the other goal. The remaining length is mostly overgrown and seemingly not intended for spectators. The ground has floodlights, quite attractive white plastic pitchside railings, is naturally and tightly enclosed by colourful trees, and red kites regularly swirling above the ground made for an unusual and pleasing sight. An 8 page programme was produced today, a one-off these days, with the club having been prompted to do so by fellow groundhopper Craig Dabbs, and it predictably proved extremely popular.
After resigning from the Hellenic League in December 2017, Henley Town resumed in the fourth tier, Division Three, of the Thames Valley Premier League the following season, winning that division at the first attempt. Coming into this game, they were hot favourites to seal the Division Two title this season, leading the table by six points with two games remaining, following 13 wins and three defeats from their 16 league games. The only team who could catch them would be today's visitors, Goring United, but after 11 wins and five defeats, they would need to beat Henley today and then their last fixture, and hope Henley lose theirs. When the two clubs met in late April, Henley won 2-3.
On an overcast afternoon, this was a closely fought encounter, as expected, with Henley shading possession but both sides had decent chances to opening the scoring, before Henley did so in slightly fortunate circumstances on 23 minutes, when an attempted clearance ricocheted off the boot of the Henley player, and the ball sailed over the stranded keeper and into the net. But on 37 minutes, Goring equalised with a low shot that was probably going in anyway, but a defender's sliding attempt to clear the ball could only confirm the ball's final destination into the back of the net. Henley came agonizingly close to regaining their lead on 39 minutes, when a looped shot went past the keeper, bounced off the inside post and rolled along the line, before the ball was scrambled clear.
Into the second half and it was Henley who continue to create the majority of the chances, seeing shots go just wide, forcing good saves from the keeper, and a shot from the edge of the area hit the bar on 59 minutes. Goring certainly had their moments too, but in the end the game ended 1-1, with both clubs earning their first draws of the season, although the point only really suited Henley Town, being enough to ensure that they would be crowned champions today. They were presented with the trophy shortly after the match, amid copious spraying of bubbly. As for Goring United,
a win in their final game against eighth placed Hurst Reserves will seal a runners-up spot.
No comments:
Post a Comment