What’s that old saying - "Goals change games"? Well, never a truer word spoken as far as last Saturday‘s game is concerned. When Lowestoft scored right on the stroke of half time it was as if someone had turned the light off as far as were concerned, the contrast before an after were stark and worrying.

Previously we had been 2 - 0 up and cruising, looking in total control and although not in full swing our passing game was delivering results. The two goals were scored by Browney and Franks.

As we entered the dressing room I felt a definite mood swing and kept the team talk positive but our second half display I definitely hadn’t seen coming.

Lowestoft had seen the "door open" into our defence and they took full advantage, pulling us all over the place, and we were indebted to Cuds as he pulled off three good saves to keep our slender lead intact. But it looked only a matter of time, and so it proved, as chances continued to come and not one but two goals followed.

Again a reshuffle to three at the back as Webb, Spurgeon and King were introduced to try to rescue something from the game, (deja vu of the Blofield game or what!). But again a positive, the lads didn’t give up and an equaliser was found.

The game then swung from end to end, both sides could have won it, but I believe both camps felt the result to be about right all things considered.

It will again be a long week of reflection and consideration as to why "one goal" should have made such a difference, the immediate conclusion is obviously it shouldn’t and there are probably many factors that add to it.

The initial thoughts are that with 3 of our most experienced players Shipley, Barnes and Player all absent is a big factor in our Jekyll and Hyde performance, experience brings consistency in my opinion.

We clearly have no problem in scoring goals but the rate we are conceding is alarming!

For the club as a whole it was a good day what with the Reserves, although six players missing from the previous week, winning 5 - 1 at Martham. Several of our young players who have been playing in our newly formed A team made the step up to the Anglian Combination, and by all reports, gave a good account of themselves.

How good it feels to see one of our longer term strategies bearing fruit, a pat on the back for the management team I feel. Last year with this number of call off’s the "Veteran" players telephones would have been hot!

I would like to pass on a personal word of praise for ice cool Paul "Arsene" Sprong, not your stereotype loud tea tray kicking manager. He quietly gets on with the job and is very astute in his team selection.

So obviously the A team got the brunt of it and suffered!! Not a bit, Mr Pointer and Co still had a squad of 15 as more youngsters, plus one not so young (see below)!, filled the breaches and secured a 2-1 victory. The good thing about call offs now is that they are not problems but opportunities for the youth team boys.

It has also been a busy week on the transfer front. On the negative side David Robinson has indicated a desire to join close neighbours Long Stratton , good luck Robbo and thanks.

However, on the positive side for Hempnall, others, including Andy Guy have expressed the desire to move the other way to help assist our younger talent in the A team.

Indeed, Andy played on Saturday and Yes, you guessed it, scored the winner in the last minute. Some things just don’t change!

We have also just signed a new young striker Matt Sewell, who was previously with City Academy, and a further player has expressed an interest to return (watch this space).

When I left the ground on Saturday following our draw I felt a little despondent with the First team result.

Having had time to take stock, look at the bigger picture and our three main goals that we set ourselves at the beginning of the season i.e...

1st Team – Top 6

Reserves – Promotion

A Team – Establish the Youngsters into men‘s football.

Finally a word of praise for Andy Soanes, he stepped into the management gap left by Mick Sanders in running the veterans & its really good to see they have secured a couple of good wins, well done Andy.

Tim