Midfield dynamo Hawkins impresses as Henley continue push for promotion

AFC HENLEY continued their promotion charge in the Oxfordshire Veterans’ League with a 4-2 win at Oxford Hong Kongers last Sunday.

Starting with a 3-5-2 formation to try to pin their opponents in and exploit their aerial weaknesses with crosses, the tactic failed to pay off as Hong Kongers proved adept at passing out from the back.

Against the run of play Jim Quartermain was played through and deftly chipped the advancing keeper with the outside of his left foot. Hong Kongers continued to be dangerous and had three one-on-ones which were all missed.

Just before half-time, a cross from the left by Antoni Fox evaded everyone and nestled into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Henley switched to their favoured 4-4-2 shape at half-time, and were quickly rewarded when the Hong Kongers keeper spilled a corner leaving Jim Quartermain with a tap in for 3-0.

This Hong Kongers reduced the deficit to 3-1 with a well taken goal following a good cross-field ball and then got to 3-2 when a 20 yard shot deflected off Neil Earp wrong-footing goalkeeper Alan Draper.

Henley nerves were quickly settled when top scorer Onisor was put through by Richard Jones for 4-2.

Henley midfielder Adam Hawkins put in an impressive display, always snuffing out danger and at times seemed to be running the show all by himself.

The result cemented Henley the place of second in the table.