What a fantastic night and feeling, as our good season turned in to an historical one with the hard fought 1 – 0 victory over a good Watton team. Add this to our 3rd place finish in the league, and it’s a season beyond our expectations.
The game its self wasn’t a spectacle, as two evenly matched sides cancelled each other out. Both teams played a 3-5-2, resulting in a congested midfield that fought hard for possession, the game became a game of cat and mouse, patience and determination.
It looked like one mistake or piece of quality would win the game, and fortunately it was the latter, when Sam Wenham somehow found enough space to deliver a perfect cross for the ‘hovering’ Tom Halliwell to head home.
As well as delivering the cup to Hempnall, it was fitting Tom should deliver the killer blow, having been barracked by the Watton crowd, who for some reason felt it appropriate to abuse their old teacher!
The starting line up threw up a few surprises, as Marty Addison picked up an injury over the weekend, midfielder Adam Solley filled in at centre half. Tim Downs dropped into the holding roll and Frankie went back up front for the first time in 4 games.
The first 10 minutes of the game definitely belonged to Watton, as they came out the sharper, picking up most of the loose balls, and forced several corners or free kicks which we defended stoutly.
Adam Solley found his way into the book for a strong challenge, and Cudden had to smother a strikers shot as we failed to execute the off side trap correctly, and this resulted in the striker being free inside the 6 yard box. Fortunately, the big keeper put "to bed" his night game jinx with a smart save.
We slowly forced on way into the game and placed the opposition defence into some desperate defending in a goal mouth scramble.
Browney and Frankie started to come into the game, the latter having done well to even make the starting line up, having not eaten for 4 days following a sickness bug.
There were some half hearted cries for a penalty on Franklin but the game remained goalless at the half time whistle, with Watton just shading things.
The 2second half started brighter, with Barnes and Player starting to make their physical presence tell, the former enjoying the battle and banter with his ex team.
Man of the match Whitmore, and Solley, got to grips with Bloomfield and Nichols respectively, resulting in the game becoming very tense as both side sort dominance but didn’t want to risk losing the cup.
With 10 minutes to go the goal came &andit was a ‘peach’, one which all at the club and particularly Tom will remember for a long time.
Watton made substitutions to try and find the equaliser but we held firm. The tiring Barnes and Franklin were replaced by Lydka and Way, as we ran down the clock in a very professional and disciplined way.
The final whistle came , and scenes of jubilation followed as 10 months of hard work came to a very rewarding and enjoyable end.
Our thanks go to Watton for their kind words and the dignified manner in which defeat was taken.
Also our apologies if the celebrations were over exuberant.
I believe Watton will do very well in the Premier.
In a season that has been long & hard, I would like to thank everyone at the club, it has been a real team effort to achieve these rewards & I couldn’t list everyone.
However, I would like to thank my two main "partners in crime", Bob Briggs & Frankie, they have both worked so hard, given up much time, when their own personal lives have been pressured. The sideline guys Vicky, Ships, Sillo and co. well done to all.
Finally, as with the promotion season I feel our success has all been about the tremendous amount of character spread throughout the club with the "end sum being greater than the parts".
Roll on next season I feel this little club, which ‘allegedly’ runs on limited resources (if character is a resource we are flush!) is at the beginning of something great.
It is my belief this is not the climax but the start of a new era providing we continue to work hard.