Senior Team
The 2006/7 season is now upon us, first league game is away at Illmington on the 02/09/2006.
Training is on Wed nights at 6pm at the sports and social club - whilst light permits and will then switch to the college details to be confirmed.
2005/06 - Season Report - Premier Division Champions - Finished 8 points clear of nearest rivals.We were top scorers and had the best defensive record in the premier.
League Record - Played 22 Games
Won 17 - Drew 2 - Lost 3 - Points 53
Goals for 84 - Goals Against 27
Top scorer with 29 Goals - Ben Adshead
Only player to start every game - Sam Betteridge
Players Player of the Year - John Granfield
Most Improved Player - Sam Betteridge
So a very succesful season being the first time we have won the league for some 13 years. The statistics prove that we were comfortably the best team playing the most attractive football.
We started the season strongly but lost a number of regular players including Noel Mcglinchy to Austraila Carl Mackenzie to Dublin Chris Vassiere to injury and for a significant part of the season Sam Churchley to the Fire Service. Our season owes much to having a strong squad and generally having 14 or more quality players for each match some of our opposition struggled to match this and certain key games turned on this point.
Whilst we ended up clear winners we only became sure of being champions in our penultimate league game. Needing a draw aginst last years champions Illmington we played with great determination and dicipline, winning two - nil to kick off a great nights celebration.
Although we had led the league for some time we experienced a wobble straight after christmas when we lost to Broadway and Illmmington in consecutive weeks (the Illmington game was subsequently replayed due to them fielding an inelligible player). We made the hard decision to change keepers as Matt Ross made himself available for the remainder of the season and changed our formation to three at the back with wing backs. (Chris Wolston deserves his share of the credit having played the first half of the season in goal)
Both of these factors helped us tighten up defensively and we let in very few goals from that point onwards. In fact we did not lose another league game, drawing two games and winning the rest.
Henley had five players selected for the Stratford Alliance representive side. These were John Grandfield, Matt Ross, Tow Whale, Ben Adshead and Liam Reynolds. Liam had a competing fixture for the A team but the other four players all played well in a 2-0 victory over a Birmingham Leagues Side.
After getting to two cup finals in 2005 we were disapointed to go out in the quarters of two cups and to to be disqualified from another for putting the wrong player on the team sheet ! We need to put that right next year.
However winning the league was our main target and this was achieved in style, we can look forward to next season with confidence.
Reserves
Its not often Henley Forest lose a game and luckily for the two Boxing Day teams this year it was a draw 6-6.
In the stripes is the team managed by green shirted Adam Rose (a consistent supporter and father of a Forest Reserve - As you will see, the side are the older of the two and thankfully the hard work of the younger (and OK better (much better)) players significantly assisted the come back from an initial 6-3 lead (OUCH SAM, THAT HURTS!) Not the players nor supporters will be surprised that the Scout never went anywhere near Adam who would be better to concentrate on watching the game than slipping into the kit - less said about that performance the better!
The team on the right managed by another consistent supporter and father of a Forest Reserve, a somewhat competitive (and ace in his day) Sammy Saunders (2nd left). The whites were under clear orders to score, score and score.....
Adam and Sam initiated the successful & fun event with all players’ fees and raffle sales money being donated to Cancer Research - a total sum of £110. (Well done to these guys for their time & organisation).
Thanks to all players and supporters who participated in the game, your sportsmanship was well appreciated by all. Particular thanks to those who have no relatives in the game but are loyal and local supporters! To Gary Lee (who unfortunately is no longer able to play the game due to injuries but kindly agreed to ref the game) cheers mate, much appreciated.
The recently postponed Hospital Cup match v Austin and the Fosters Shield v Welford are yet to be rescheduled.
All new dates/details will be posted on the website as soon as we are made aware
With effect from 2006/2007 Season, Henley Forest A Team becomes known as Henley Forest Reserves – Same Manager, Same Coach, Same Players (with a few class additions) – all young Local Lads (with one of two more senior heads).
I would like to start by thanking the whole team & supporters for making our first season (05/06) all worth while – we truly had a great year. Celebrating the first season with a second place position in the league, earning the right to move up a division and following a great run in cup games, winning the Divisional 3 Cup.
2005/2006 Awards
Players Player - Liam Reynolds
Most Improved Player - Marcus Orme
Top Goal Scorer - Liam Reynolds
