Browne is hat-trick hero for free-scoring Hunters

AFC HENLEY HUNTERS GIRLS’ U15s were dominant from start to finish in a one-sided affair against LAUREL PARK STARZ U15s who were weakened by injuries to a number of key players at Jubilee Park last Saturday.

The hosts opened the scoring when a deep cross to the far post was met by Romy Draper whose effort was saved well by the keeper, but Sofia Rose Gallagher followed up to fire into the roof of the net.

The second goal followed a throw in from Isla Walsh-Smith that released Ava Douglas down the right wing and her first time cut-back was met by Draper with a looping shot over the keeper’s head.

The third goal was dispatched by the impressive Isabella Lloyd who ran through the midfield, evading a couple of challenges, before launching a 25-yard thunderbolt that the keeper could only parry into the net.

Despite several Henley player changing positions for the second half, the hosts scored four more goals without reply. Notable performances included Abigail Palmer, a midfielder deputising at centre back, Isla Walsh Smith impressing in goal and left back Eliza Browne the pick of the bunch, having moved from left back to centre forward and notching a second-half hat-trick.

The fourth goal, and Browne’s first, followed a turnover in possession on the edge of the penalty area. Isabella Lloyd then took the ball down the left and a pinpoint cross to Browne gave her a far post tap-in. Henley’s fifth came from a poor goal-kick hit to Lloyd on the edge of the penalty area which she controlled and returned with interest.

The sixth goal arrived when Browne, finding herself in her more familiar left back position, burst forward and unleashed an angled shot that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

Brown completed her hat-trick with a scrambled effort following a corner to make it 7-0.

AFC HENLEY HURRICANES U15s showed strength and resilience to draw 2-2 at Harpsden to ELDON CELTIC JUNIORS LIONS U15s after being
2-0 down within the opening 10 minutes.

The Lions went ahead and added a second within the first minutes when the Hurricanes’ defence were outmuscled at a corner.

Goalkeeper George Hodges made some important saves and while there were chances for both teams in the rest of the half, the half-time score remained
2-0.

The Hurricanes maintained their intensity through a much-improved performance. Henley quickly pulled a goal back when Dominic Ellis’s long throw-in fell to Will Goulden whose header was blocked, but Bruce Cuzen took the opportunity to slot the rebound past the Lions’ keeper.

Goulden was also at the centre of the equalising goal, scoring his second goal in two weeks with a volley over the keeper’s head from outside the area.

Both teams worked hard in pursuit of a winner, but the Hurricanes defence showed their determination, the midfield worked tirelessly, and Rupert Hepburn almost bagged a winner but his shot was saved late on.