Campbell – We’ll need a miracle after Henley’s shock defeat

A good day at the office for the first team was ruined by a bad result in Banbury that seems likely to consign Howarth’s men to another season in South Premier Division 2.

Still lacking players due to injury the home side still made easy work, in defeating a Barnes team that had struggled at the bottom of the league, collecting only seven points from 19 games.

The home team went into the half-time team talk 5-0 in front thanks to goals from Mark Ansell, Dom Male, Dom Cohen and a brace from John Burroughs.

After the turnaround, the visitors defended resolutely but Burroughs continued his fine run of form in front of the net and completed his hat-trick to cap a thoroughly professional team effort.

Having completed the job thoughts turned to Oxfordshire where the right result in the top-of-the-table clash between Banbury and Henley would have enhanced Horsham’s promotion chances.

The result bought no joy to Broadbridge Heath as unbeaten Henley, leading the division, were thrashed 6-0 by second placed Banbury.

Horsham manager Al Campbell admitted the team would now need a miracle to go up. He said: “It’s an incredible the result in every sense of the word.

“Until this weekend Henley had the second best attacking and second best defensive record in the league. For them to haemorrhage six goals without response seems unbelievable – perhaps all the players they acquired from Reading this season were at Bradford watching the FA Cup game.

“We still have Banbury to play and victory in that and our other remaining games would leave us equal on points if, as seems likely, Banbury win all their other games.

“However, Banbury’s superior goal difference would keep us third and out of the promotion places. We have dropped one point too many and now we need a miracle.”