Norfolk Senior Cup Quarter final

Hempnall 1 Norwich United 2 AET

Hempnall, writes Ray Youngman, were a little unfortunate to lose this game. On a
fine afternoon and in front of a large crowd, during the early stages of the game,
the teams were almost equal, both working hard to create openings, although it was
the Hempnall keeper Ben Cudden who had the most to do, albeit not having to manage
any serious shots at goal.

The second half continued with both sides pressing for a gaolscoring opportunity,
and it was United who scored first, when their wide player made a lot of space down
the left to cut in to place his effort out of Cuddens reach.

Despite this setback, Hempnall continued to press forward, to fight for the
equaliser, and several efforts and good goal keeping kept them from gaining any
reward. In the meantime Cudden had to be at his best in saving his side on more than
one occasion.

For their efforts, Hempnall at last earned their equaliser close to full time, when
Mark Whitmore, at the far post and behind the United defence found space to crash
the ball home.

Norwich United went ahead early in extra time when a corner eluded the Hempnall
defence to find an United player who scored at the far post.

Hempnall continued to work hard for the remainder of the game, and should have
equalised from their many attempts on goal, but on the day it was not to be.

I must say the whole team did the club proud on the day, and were all bitterly
disappointed to lose a game where they were always in with a chance, and they must
must have leaned a lot from playing against a Ridgeons team who are holding their
own in their league.

We appreciate the performance of referee Graham Kett and his two assistants who all
performed well throughout the game, and I am sure they enjoyed their afternoon at
Hempnall.

Former player Mark Bancroft and his family were at the game which they so generously
sponsored, and it was good to see he still supports his old team.

Special thanks to my wife Jill and Chairmans wife Annette for all their hard work in
supplying the afternoons hospitality.

Also, a lot of credit must be given to our managent team of Tim Clarke and Paul
Franklin (who missed the game through suspension) for all their hard work put in for
this game.

Despite all the problems with printers etc during the week Trevor Shurmer still
managed to produce his usual first class match programme.

Perhaps it was not noticed by many, but it was a little suprising that for a
Norfolk Senior Cup quarter final that Norfolk County FA were not represented at the
game.

The Reserves were without a game.

Hempnall A 4 Sprowston Beehive 3

Again the young Hempnall A Team worked wonders in their cup game with Sprowston at
Saxlingham, and gained another fine win against very tough opponents, who I
understand were a little more physical that Hempnall.

Jacob Paston scored two of the goals to bring his seasons tally to fourteen and he
still only sixteen at the time of writing, with one apeice from Olly Sayer and Sam
Page.

Manager Matthew Oakley was very pleased with his teams performance and with Andy
Soanes and Mark Hedges adding experience to the team the younger element are
learning a lot from them and some of them could soon be knocking on the Reserve team
door.