Sheldon Baptiste began the game by making six changes to the Starting XI who featured in last week’s draw against Newbury. Bless Him-Kimpiats, Finley Meikle, Reiss Baker and Dee Mabaye all returned to the XI, alongside Jamaal Whight, who took the armband for Saturday’s fixture. Defender Daniel Watkiss made his campaign debut also for City, entering as the final new addition to the side against Henley Town.

The game had hardly begun before City began to pepper shots towards goal. A hurtling free kick headed towards forward Reiss Baker, but it was knocked slightly wide at the near post. A follow-up shot moments later was also cleared out by the opposition. 

The Red Kites began to settle, and a short corner almost proved crucial for them. The hosts’ Charlie Douglas almost headed the ball home after a curling shot from outside the box, but it narrowly missed. They continued to keep a high tempo, and another on-target strike headed towards the net, but keeper Alex Collie easily claimed it.

Andrew Tafeni had the opportunity to send a ball in from outside the eighteen yard box, but was unfortunately swamped by Henley’s defence, and it couldn’t amount to anything. A short break in play followed, as the hosts had a player down following a collision. 

City Forward Dee Mabaye broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, after following up a rebounded shot off of Henley’s goalkeeper, Dan York. A bottom corner strike put our young Cityzens ahead for the first time this season, and morale was high!

An excellent save from Collie kept it goalless for the hosts. Captain Jamaal Whight pressured the hosts’ into taking a risk, and Collie tipped it over the bar in a heroic move. Minutes later, a shot from distance is sent goalwards by Henley, but it rolls just past the outside post.

As the clock passed the 30th minute, an indirect free kick taken by Watkiss was aimed into the box, but sadly it could not reach anyone in yellow. 

Between the sticks, Collie makes another vital save, whilst Henley continues to pile on the pressure and fight for an equaliser. Less than a minute later, the ball entered the back of the net, however it was called offside, and the scoreline remained 1-0.

Before the break, Henley struck a powerful ball towards goal, but it flew just over the bar.

Keeping their one-goal advantage before the break was important for City, but Henley continued to push for a goal to make it even. Meikle headed a close ball off the line after a corner from the hosts, but it eventually ended back downfield.

The referee called time after a few stoppage time minutes, and the boys in yellow had the lead.

Half Time: Henley Town 0-1 City U23s

Baptiste made our first change of the game after the interval, as Bless Him-Kimpiats made way for Daniel Nderitu in a straight positional swap. 

Tafeni set up a shot for Roy-Jones Mbou, but the chance sadly couldn’t be finished. Finley Meikle continued the City attack, taking a risk and launching a long-ranged ball, but it fell too high and went out of play for a goal kick.

Dan York has a busy few minutes, as City intensify their counter attacks. Mabaye charges towards the net, but York gets a touch and removes the danger. Tafeni entered the box after manoeuvring past defenders, but the shot was aimed too high and it dipped over the crossbar.

Henley kept persevering, doing everything they could to find a way back into the game. Collie made another key save as a threatening shot was sent in from eighteen yards out.

The second substitution for our Cityzens rang in shortly after, with Mbou exiting play for youngster Louis Eade, who featured in the squad again following an impressive debut against Newbury. 

Fullback Mickael Vaisset set up a City throw-in on the right wing, but play was quickly stopped as Mabaye went to ground after a foul. It appeared to be a head collision, but after a medical check, it was deemed he needed no treatment and could continue. A resultant free kick was taken by Williamson, but it couldn’t quite reach the final third.

In the 64th minute, Tafeni’s curling effort towards Baker was headed almost past York. However, York took a touch on the ball in the final seconds, which proved crucial for Henley to prevent City taking a two-goal lead.

Nderitu took the resulting corner, sending it towards Watkiss, and it fell to Baker once again. He attempted another header, but it went over the bar and dipped just behind the net.

City then played out their third substitution of the day, bringing on defender Keigan Allen in place of Finley Meikle.

Henley Town were reduced to ten men moments later after their number six, Kyle Moorcroft, received a second yellow.

Tafeni built up a strong ball for Eade, who fired it at the net, but York ran off his line to claim it and rid the danger. Forward Jahson Downes entered the fray for midfielder Matthew Williamson as the clock ticked over to the 73rd minute, coming on as City’s penultimate substitution.

As we entered the final ten minutes, Taha Menshawi replaced Andrew Tafeni in another straight switch. City were determined to claim their first three points, but Henley continued to fight. 

Mabaye sets up a strong ball for Baker, who almost takes a touch, but it was shot slightly too far and rolled to York.

Collie went to ground once again, preventing yet another menacing attempt from the hosts. The referee called for six added minutes of stoppage time, with City still in front.

However, at this point, the temperature of the match started to increase, and so the referee dished out warnings and cards to players on both teams. 

Vaisset worked alongside Whight to clear a dangerous Henley corner, allowing our Cityzens to run upfield. Mabaye evaded defenders, but the shot came to nothing.

In the fourth added minute, tensions began to spill over. As the match began to reach its end, Allen was fouled on the left, and both teams reacted. A clash ensued between the players, in which Matthew Williamson and Henley’s Dan Tilley, were booked for their role in it. 

Alongside this, a member of the hosts’ technical team also had their name taken down by the referee, as well as Henley’s number eight, James Griffiths.

Play was able to restart somewhat later than planned, and Menshawi created our final chance of the game. Evading three defenders, he switched the ball to Baker, who passed to Nderitu. He took a touch, but it unfortunately rolled out of play.

Full time was called shortly after, and City had achieved their first win of the campaign, thanks to a lovely goal from Dee Mabaye.

Full Time: Henley Town 0-1 City U23s

We will be looking to continue our form next weekend, as we return to the Atrium to face AFC Winkfield, with a two o’clock kick off.