This week it was an early morning home fixture for Henley ladies 1s on Saturday with both teams sitting at opposite ends of the table - meaning points were important on both sides.

Henley ladies 1s, with their squad at full strength, started much the brighter side. Within the first 1 minute Georgie Metcalfe had worked her way up the pitch and bagged a short corner and it was none other than Rachel Herbert who fired the first short corner home to calm the nerves of the home team and set them up well for the rest of the game.

Henley were determined to work hard and keep their intensity high, generating some beautiful passages of play from the forward line of Georgie Metcalfe, Emma Jean Jean, Lou Lynch and Caitlin Barrass, however, going into half time the home team were only 1 goal up - despite having about 80% possession.

The second half began a little nervy, as a 1 goal lead is never enough to sit comfortably. However 10 minutes in and there was an element of belief from the Henley side after some narrowly missed chances - they sensed the next goal was coming. Eventually it was Emma Jean Jean who extended the lead, slotting the ball past the Banbury keeper at the far post.

Much like the first half, thereafter, Henley possession and pressure on the Banbury defence was continuous and it was only a matter of time until the next goal would come. The final 5 minutes was rather frantic with two goals coming in quick succession. The first was from open play where the ball was dribbled into the circle and a shot was unleashed. The Banbury keeper made yet another fabulous save, but the ball rebounded to striker Georgie Metcalfe, who didn't need a second chance to fire on instinct, sending the ball past the keeper to take Henley to 3. The final goal came as the umpire blew his whistle. Henley had won yet another short corner right at that moment and, after a short delay, it was Herbert who once again stepped up and bookended the game with a second, perfectly executed corner.

Special mention goes to Player of the Match - Caitlin Barrass - who worked tirelessly in the forward line, at one point, sprinting almost the length of the pitch to keep on a ball that looked like it had no hope - a sign of the determination in the Henley side at the moment, an inspiration to all the players around her.

It was another brilliant performance all round from Henley Ladies 1s who are sitting top of the table on GD, and hoping to extended their unbeaten run as they face Southampton away this weekend.