Hempnall FC

Hempnall Reserves welcomed North Norfolk League Erpingham to Bungay Road, on a very hot day in the Primary Cup.

Hempnall were expecting a reasonably straightforward win with their strong squad.

Despite the heat, the players were all working hard, and whilst Hempnall looked generally the better team, Erpingham were showing signs of getting into the game; the game ebbed and flowed, though Ryan in the Hempnall goal was not really troubled.

The Erpingham keeper though was keeping his team in the game blocking from Mann then collecting bravely at the feet of Ryan Cullabine.

Mann then slid in to fire an acute shot across goal that nobody could convert, another shot from the same player a few minutes later was pushed around the post by a diving keeper.

Hempnall’s first goal came from Mann, a shot from the edge of the box that eluded the keeper.

Their second came for a finish from Hanwell following a good run and cross from Stone.

We thought it might be a rout after that, but Erpingham fought back, and some last ditch defending kept the Hempnall score intact.

In fact, though Hempnall were looking the better team, over  confidence and complacency allowed Erpingham to score and reduce the arrears to 2-1.

Erpingham then netted again but the finish was given offside.

Stone was then foiled by Erpingham man of the match keeper, who then saved bravely at the feet of Stone.

Half time 2-1

Hempnall came our for the second half still half asleep, they allowed Erpingham back into the match, the Erpinham number 9 given time to beat Ryan, for 2-2. They could have made it 2-3 very soon after, but for a first class save from Ryan (apologies to him, the photographer was reflecting the temporary ‘gone to sleep’ approach of the team and missed the action).

From there, Hempnall never looked back. With Erpingham tiring, Hempnall had numerous chances and half chances, the best a shot from Mann, and header from Simon Cullabine, both saved.

We were still confident though, and a wonderful headed finish by Simon Cullabine was ruled out for offside.

Hempnall had a couple of free kicks just outside the box, but nether were converted, a third was well saved by the keeper.

Hempnall were being resisted until another training drill worked perfectly, a corner from the excellent Daniel Mann was headed in at the far post by Simon Cullabine for 3-2.

From there, Erpingham tired, Hempnall’s tails were up, Mann hit a superb finish into the corner of the net for his second and Hempnall’s fourth. Hempnall then went close on several occasions, but were thwarted until Radford refused to give up and a clearance by the keeper bounced off him into the net for Hempnall’s fifth.

Simon Cullabine again went close, hitting the post, the legend Trett, went close with the keeper saving well again, Cullabine again headed against the bar, and Mann powered in another shot that eluded the keeper for his hat trick and a final score of 6-2. 

MOM is difficult, between Mann and Simon Cullabine, but for his overall excellence, I think Simmo shades it.