Henley Ladies 2s headed into this crucial match against Abingdon with a clear mission: to maintain their position at the top of the league and keep their promotion hopes alive. The match took place on yet another grey day, where the gloomy atmosphere seemed to seep into Henley’s early mood. However, spirits soon lifted when Chloe Lyons converted a well-executed short corner, breaking the deadlock and setting Henley off to a promising start.

Despite the scrappy nature of the game, Henley kept control, working hard to impose their rhythm. Chloe Lyons emerged as the star of the first half, netting two more goals to secure a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime. This impressive performance marked her second hat trick of the season, providing Henley a comfortable cushion as they regrouped for the second half.

Abingdon, however, was not ready to go down without a fight. Early in the second half, they capitalized on a defensive lapse to pull one back, injecting tension into the game as they pushed forward with renewed energy. Henley’s defence, led by Anna Wray, with some remarkable low tackles, held firm. Ellie Bryant, in goal, made a series of tenacious saves, denying Abingdon any further inroads and keeping Henley’s lead intact. Up front, Tilly Carter’s relentless energy helped maintain the team’s intensity, preventing Abingdon from gaining further momentum.

The final whistle confirmed a 3-1 victory for Henley, who now look confidently towards next week’s local derby against Sonning. Joint players of the match were awarded to Anna, Ellie, and Tilly for their outstanding individual performances, which were pivotal in securing this vital win