Finch and Henley players (left to right) Danny Lingwood, Bobby Hogg, Darren Russell, Pat Selby and John Donegan keep their eyes on the ball
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Finchampstead FC 1 Henley Town FC 1
By Arthur StrandNovember 16, 2009
Returning to Hellenic Division 1 East duties on Saturday, Finchampstead were unlucky not to claim all three points at home to promotion-chasing Henley Town.
Finchampstead took the game to the opposition and it was not long before Pat Selby tested keeper, Stuart Gosby.
Finch keeper Perry Howard palmed away a Henley corner as the visitors went searching for the opener, and then a shot from Adam Cashin-Murray just missed the post.
Trying to open the account for Finch, Bob Yorke-Goldney sent a rocket of a cross to Selby who shot wide.
However, it was against the run of play when Henley attacked along the right flank and a long cross was slotted in by Alex Allen.
But when captain Dan Lingwood was sent off, Henley had the entire second half to defend a slender margin with only 10 men.
This proved impossible when within two minutes of the restart Dean Thomas crashed in a 30-yard equaliser.
The reinvigorated hosts set about seeking a winner with some neat passing moves, but Darren Russell missed the best of their opportunities.
Danny Paiser brought out the best in Howard from a free-kick before Paiser had to take over in goal following an injury to Gosby.
It was a nasty one for the Henley keeper, who was caught whne he and Selby challenged for the ball.
And he produced several fine saves from point-blank shots from Ben Knight and Martin Clarke.
Next week Finchampstead face Berkshire County Sports in the Reading Senior Cup first round at home.
Finchampstead: Howard, Wright, Wyatt, Prentice, Selby, Ryan, Hogg, Thomas, Axton-Hall, Yorke-Goldney, B.Knight. Substitutes: Needham, Clarke, Arquimbau, Carter, S.Selby.
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