FINCHAMPSTEAD’S difficult start to their Hellenic League Division One East campaign continued as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Henley Town.

The visitors started brightly and had an early chance when a Leki Williams pass found Dan Blatchford in the Henley penalty area, but he was unable to get a shot away.

Ben Winship then made a darting run along the left wing to force a corner before Henley goalkeeper Dimitri Kyriatzis had to be on his mettle to snatch the ball ahead of the advancing Williams.

Henley forced Josh Baker into a save from Matt Belcher’s free-kick, and the home side began to take command.

They took a 30th-minute lead from the penalty spot after Winship clashed with Richard Bennett, Grant Kemp making no mistake.

Nathan Onreat-Wells overhit a speculative shot as Finch tried to equalise, but they found themselves further behind in the 36th minute when Bennett finished neatly to make it 2-0.

Henley continued to press early in the second half and Finch had Sam Green to thank for not conceding a third after he swept up in his own penalty area.

Baker was then forced into a save from Louis Howell as Town became increasingly dominant, only for Finch to have a goal of their own disallowed for off side.

Onreat-Wells then had a good chance which he pulled wide, but Finch were boosted by the return from the substitutes bench of fit again Harry Swabey.

He began to pull the strings and Onreat-Wells was again denied as the visitors began to gain control.

Bennett’s free-kick almost made it 3-0 at the other end but Finch came on strong in the last 15 minutes, ultimately unfortunate not to put the ball in the back of the net.

Finchampstead host Didcot Town Reserves at the Memorial Ground on Saturday (3pm).

Sandhurst Town crashed out of the Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup following a 5-2 defeat at Redhill.

The hosts took a two-goal lead courtesy of Reece Brewster and Marlon Pinder strikes.

Joshua Kadou was the beneficiary of another fine Luke Jones pass and it was he who finished well to make it 3-0.

The Fizzers started to mount a fight-back with Matthew Cooper hitting the post and then with six minutes left until half time, they levelled via Alexander Jeffers who cannoned a free-kick from the edge of the box into the roof of the net.

The same player cut the gap to 3-2 seven minutes into the second period, twisting and turning in the penalty area before slotting home.

However, further goals from Alex Fillipe and Kadou secured the game.

The Fizzers visit Farleigh Rovers in a Combined Counties League Division One encounter on Saturday (3pm).

Eversley & California suffered a first defeat as they lost 3-1 at CB Hounslow. The Boars host Cobham on Saturday (3pm).