Starting Lineup: Michael Ford, Connor Crane, Max Crane, Harry Bales, Ollie Dowdeswell, Will Pearce, Liam Shaw, Jack McLeavy, Ollie Griggs (C), Stan Horne, Rajiv Forrester,
Bench: Warren Buckman, Ashton Rayworth, Hano Hanwar, Luis Vieira, Will Hart

The U23s welcomed Henley Athletic to the Flannery Stadium, a side that included two former Blues, namrly Tom Bullard and Shane Wardley. Also in the team was the son of another former Blue, Joe Francis, who was in attendance. Having previously caught up with Shane after Needham Market Reserve team games it was great to chat to Joe and Bully.
The visitors started the game in second place behind Kirton Athletic in the still early league table.

As for the game itself, it was an even first half with neither side testing their opponents goalkeeper, each side turning the ball over too easily and the visitor’s forward players being regularly caught offside. The U23s did suffer an early setback when Stan Horne had to be replaced by Hano Hawar after suffering an injury. As time was running out on the half, a period during which the visitors applied more pressure, the U23s made two more substitutions. Will Hart replaced Jack McLeavy and Luis Vieira replaced Connor Crane, the second player replaced due to an injury.

Half Time: U23s 0 – 0 Henley Athletic

The second half started well for the U23s when after, less than 5 minutes into the half, a cross field ball was controlled well on the right flank by Rajiv Forrester. He made progress down the field and sent in a cross which was met by LIAM SHAW to open his goal scoring count for the season. Shortly after the goal Warren Buckman came off the bench to replace the earlier substitute, Hano Hawar. The visitors responded with three substitutions of their own but they made little impact as the U23s continued to dominate the play. It was therefore not too much of a surprise when the home side doubled their lead. An excellent through ball from Warren Buckman set RAJIV FORRESTER free with only the goalkeeper to beat which he did, calmly placing his right foot shot low to the goalkeeper’s left into the net. The visitor’s response was almost immediate when a ball into the U23’s box wasn’t cleared and found a player free on the right of the goal whose shot went in at the far post. The goal set up the last 15 minutes for the U23s to see out without conceding an equaliser. Liam Shaw was replaced by the last of the substitutes, Ashton Rayworth and despite intense pressure from the visitors they couldn’t breach the stubborn U23 defence for a second time.

Full Time: U23s 2 – 1 Henley Athletic

The U23s won 3 hard earned points against one of the teams, who in my opinion, will be in and around the top of the league at the end of the season.