Henley Ladies 2s embarked on an early, Saturday morning road trip to Leighton Buzzard, with the team determined to take the win. The mood in the changing room was upbeat, and the squad all eager to secure the three points and keep their promotion hopes alive.

The game kicked off with Leighton Buzzard catching Henley on the back foot, and the home team managed to get an early strike on goal. However, Henley quickly regrouped, shaking off the initial pressure, and from that moment on, they dominated the match. With a calm and composed approach, Henley started to create dangerous attacking plays, using both wings to great effect.

The breakthrough came early, and it was Henley’s captain, Emma Buckham-Hedges, who set the tone for the match with a clinical, diving finish at the back post. Henley were now 1-0 up and brimming with confidence. Just minutes later, the lead was doubled with a well-executed short corner, finished off by Hayley Munt. Henley’s rhythm was in full flow as they continued to dictate the play, moving the ball around with ease and bringing everyone into the game.

The third goal came courtesy of Chloe Lyons, who showed excellent composure, weaving her way past two defenders before calmly slotting the ball home. Despite Leighton Buzzard pressing and attempting to distribute the ball quickly, Henley’s defense remained solid, with defenders keeping their heads and staying focused. Henley struck again, with Verity Langley collecting a high ball perfectly and slotting it home to make it 4-0 as the teams went into halftime.

Coach Hayley Rogers’ positive and grounded halftime team talk kept the spirits of the Henley players high, and a few tactical changes allowed the team to continue their impressive performance in the second half. However, it was Leighton Buzzard who came out quickly and caught the Henley side on the back foot in the early minutes of the second half, leading to them securing a goal from a well worked short corner. Henley needed to switch on after the brief scare and this they did - led by the midfielders working tirelessly, and newcomer Martha Peach, who had an excellent outing, linking up with Maddie Moore on the left flank to create multiple attacking opportunities.

After a wobbly start, Henley again found their rhythm and their dominance grew once again. Their fifth goal came after another well-worked team move, with Lyons calmly finishing once again. Henley’s attacking wave continued, and a brilliant solo run from captain Buckham-Hedges saw her skillfully round the keeper, only to be denied by a last-ditch defensive foot on the line. This led to a penalty flick, and Lyons stepped up to dispatch it with confidence, making it 6-0.

Henley continued to press forward, their attacking play fluid and relentless. The team displayed a level of cohesion and team spirit that made the game a joy to watch. With minutes remaining, Henley hit the post and the bar in quick succession, further emphasizing their dominance. But it was Lyons who capped off the teams standout performance with another clinical finish, roofing the ball into the top corner to make it 7-1.

An outstanding all-around performance from Henley, with every player contributing to the win. The result sends a strong message as Henley continue to push for promotion, and the team now look forward to next week’s double-header, eager to increase their lead at the top of the league.