Cromer 1 Hempnall 1
Hempnall, writes Ray Youngman, travelled to Cromer on yet another cold and windy afternoon for a 2.30 kick off. Rob Connelly was drafted into the squad for the first time in over a year, whilst Sam Wenham returned from illness.
On a very heavy pitch, both teams worked hard, but were unable to break down two very solid defences and it was Cromer who did the early attacking. However, they found Cudden in the Hempnall goal handling with confidence.
By now, Hempnall started to go forward more and they created a couple of good chances, one of which the Cromer keeper did well to turn round for a corner.
With the interval score at 0-0, Hempnall had the wind advantage in the second period, and Cudden's long kicks were giving the Cromer defence a few problems, especially when Browne got the ball.
It was from this area that Hempnall went ahead, when a perfect ball into the box found right back Tim Downs in space to easily place the ball into the net.
Inspired by this goal, Hempnall continued to use the wide ball and could have easily gone further ahead, but Cromer went to the other end and won a corner from which they equalised when their big defender was left unmarked at the far post - his effort found a fellow striker who somehow got the ball into the net.
Cudden then made two excellent saves to keep his team into the game, and from then on, it was the Hempnall team who looked the more likely to win the game from their strong attacking play. It must be said that although they missed a couple of good chances, and felt they deserved a little more from the game, (despite at times seeing a few anxious moments) overall Hempnall were probably happy to collect the one point.
The Hempnall players felt that early in the game, some of the decisions were not exactly going their way, something which probably didn't help their cause. However, it did even itself out as the game went on.
We thank Cromer for their hospitality and it was good to meet up again with some of my friends.
Hempnall Reserves 1 Thorpe Village 3
Hempnall Reserves, again with a depleted team, were not at their best for their home game with Thorpe Village, who on the day were the better side.
Manager Paul Sprong was hit by players letting him down, leaving him with again having to use the youth players called up from the A Team. James Spurgeon scored the goal.
Hempnall A 4 Freethorpe Reserves 2
Hempnall's A Team chief organiser, Stuart Oakley, had to give up his game to referee, and received nothing but praise from both sets of players, and in his own words "both teams gave me no problems ". This team, again a mixture of very young players blended with a few more experienced, again showed they can score goals.
The game itself was played with a lot of quality football but it was the Hempnall team that lead the way with four goals plus a penalty miss by Mike Clarke.
Again Andy Guy scored a brace with Mike Clarke and Ben Upton one apiece.