Determined Terriers Fight Back For Victory

South Berkshire Terriers took their 5th league win of the season in dramatic fashion at Cantley Park, as they came from behind to snatch two goals in the final ten minutes to pip a determined Henley 5s.

Facing a Henley side for the 2nd time in two weeks, this game was to prove a a greater challenge for the Terriers, as the combination of an experienced and solid backline, along with a mix of youthful players made this Henley team a firmer test than their 4s side last week. After a staring moment on Radio 2 the night before that saw the Terriers get a brief mention on national radio, captain Neil Badley put his brief celebrity status behind him and welcomed his 10th different partner in the centre of defence this season as David Morgan made a rare appearance for the Terriers as injuries continued to stretch the side. The first half was definitely the busiest for the Terriers backline, and a few slips on a slick pitch after an overnight frost didn't help as the Terriers offered up a few opportunities for Henley to run at them.

At the other end, the Terriers were playing with their usual attacking grace and flair, although this was one of the most stubbornly solid defences they have faced so far this season, and the skills of Dominic Harvey and Austin Jennings were at times blunted by a combination of experienced wiles and physical play. With few clear cut chances, Henley were to strike as twenty minutes in and for the first time this season, keeper Marcus Bown was beaten. The Terriers were slow to clear, and the ball was worked into the right side of the D before being sent across for a relatively soft goal.

The half time talks from captain Neil Badley are oft reported in match reports, but today it was simple. Keep playing our way, maintain our composure, and the goals will come. However, there was a tactical twist too, as debutant Matt Humphrey was switched from midfield to a forward position, and this was to prove a decisive switch for the Terriers. In midfield, Ash Stratton and Monty Neave seized control of the game, and like a Terrier with a bone, refused to allow Henley space on the ball that they had been afforded in the first half. They were well supported across the midfield and attack in pressing Henley hard, and it was a telling sign of the game how often Henley were forced to hit the ball from deep in their own half, only to see it end up on a well placed Terriers stick.

With more possession, Terriers sensed their chance. Pivotal to this was the play of Monty Neave, who attacked with relish and as the half progressed, proved to have magnetic attraction to the Henley midfield, who swamped him like an undecided voter surrounded by aspiring Parliamentary candidates. When Monty wasn't slicing open the play with incisive running, he was making the most of the attention of the Henley side, which create opportunities across the midfield for Paul Harvey, Jack Barker and Byron Neave to all find space for Monty to pass into.

As the clock ticked down, Terriers maintained their composure and continued to create chances. Up front, the pace of Matt Humphrey was increasingly opening up the previously defiant Henley defence, and alongside him both Dominic Harvey and Austin Jennings were adapting their play to find ways through. Credit in particular to Austin - a natural goalscorer, today was a day when "Oz" was the definition of a team player, unselfishly working across the front line, and switching roles on the penalty corner routine as Terriers adapted to missing players and substitutions.

It was a penalty corner that was to prove the breakthrough, scored with quality that befitted an equaliser in such an engaging second half performance. Dominic Harvey was the player to deliver, as he confidently drove home an outstanding drag-flick hard and low to the left of the keeper who could only deflect the ball with his glove upwards into the net. It was no more than the team deserved for their efforts in the second half, and with their tails well and truly up, they went searching for a winner. With less than five minutes to go, a foul was called just inside the 23. Henley set up believing it was theirs to take, but when it was swiftly reversed by both umpires, Austin Jennings picked up the ball, drove hard to the line and sent the ball across to Matt Humphrey. The ball bobbled lose, fell behind the keeper, and it was the simplest of tap-ins for a debut goal for Matt. Harsh on Henley to fall prey to a quick free hit that they had believed was theirs to take, but equally a winner that the Terrier's second half performance completely merited.

There were to be no more scares for the Terriers, as they played out the final five minutes on the front foot to secure another 3 points. The only blemish to a fine second half performance was a wrist injury to Jack Barker. Credit to the Henley side, who after the game were quick to commend the Terriers as the strongest side they have faced this season.

Prior to pushback, the Terriers and Henley lined up for a two minutes silence, and this start to the game is an apt way to end this report.

Over 100 years ago, Lt Charles Arthur Campbell was the first hockey player to make the ultimate sacrifice in World War I. Today, the Terriers wore their poppies with pride as we remember the men and woman like Lt Campbell who have given their lives in the service of the nation. We give special thanks to those hockey players who made the ultimate sacrifice so our young men only need to battle on the hockey pitch, not in the fields, mountains or deserts of a foreign land.