After the Lord Mayor's Show as they say...... or maybe not but at least a reality check for those, like me, who were starting to think that Sporting would win the league at a canter. Sporting had many chances but through a mixture of profligacy and bad luck failed once again to turn dominance into goals. A well-organised Henley side always looked capable of scoring on the counter attack and once they had the lead, worked hard to hold on to it.
The Rouslers made a good start and in the early minutes had several dangerous attacks, moving the ball quickly and using the flanks to get behind the Henley defence. Odane Barnes fired over from a good position before Dan Wilkes hesitated when through on goal and allowed defenders to get back and prevent him shooting. Best chance of the first half came from a Michael Woolman header from a corner which Henley 'keeper Dellenty at full stretch tipped onto the crossbar.
Henley attacks were rare but they carried a threat, Chris Mole having to save low to his right on the half hour while shortly after a Henley attacker was put through but made a hash of his shot. The first half finished with Sporting in the ascendant but a poor final ball and determined defending ensured the game remained scoreless.
As against Greenhill the previous week Sporting failed to play with the same tempo at the start of the second half and it was Henley with a tidy and controlled passing game who began to get on top. Despite that it was Sporting who came closest to scoring when, on 55 minutes, Barnes' shot was saved by Dellenty with an outstretched foot before a Woolman header hit the bar.
Five minutes later the visitors went in front with a curling left foot shot from substitute Mark Unitt from just inside the penalty area. From that point they always looked the likely winners as Sporting's play became increasingly disjointed. The Rogers brothers both came on and looked lively but genuine goal scoring opportunities were now few and far between.
The best Rouslers' move came on 75 minutes as Barnes' powerful run took him into the penalty area where he squared the ball to Zac Blood whose shot was blocked. Henley remained a threat on the break and five minutes from the end Chris Mole made a good save to prevent them extending their lead.
Disappointment then and a first home defeat. Henley are a good side as their league position indicates but this was a game Sporting could have won and would have won if early dominance had been turned into goals. Points and not hard luck stories win leagues so let's hope Myles and the boys can sort this out. We, the supporters, need to get behind them and help make the Victoria Ground a fortress. It was too quiet today.
Sporting (red & white shirts, blue shorts, green socks): Chris Mole, Chris Bright, Nick Allen (Gareth Rogers 65 mins), James McKeon Jamie Siviter 75 mins), Richard Griffiths, Danny Patrick, Dan Wilkes (Jamie Rogers 72 mins), Nick Harris, Odane Barnes, Michael Woolman, Zac Blood.
Substitutes not used: Callum Fair, Jim McGettrick.
Henley Forest (sky blue shirts, navy shorts, sky blue socks); David Dellenty, James Whitehouse (Mark Unitt 46 mins), Matt Sharp, Chris Smith, Marcus Orme, Sam Manoochehri (Alex Foster 90 mins), Jon Grandfield, Michael Ellis, Joseph Copland, Oli Manoochehri Chris key 75 mins), Terence Morton.
Substitute not used: Mitchell Colby
