Hempnall FC

Hempnall 1 Rockland United 4

A few changes were made to the team this week with Nick Talbot away and Jack Thompson with the First Team.  We introduced a new partnership at centre back, Andy Cranmer and Barry Cooke.  Jamie Bennett took the captain’s arm band.

We were a little slow from kick off and Rockland chasing it down very well and putting us under pressure from the start.  Rockland kept the pressure on us throughout the first half and we made the wrong decisions with the ball - we looked a different side from last week at Longham. 

Rockland just kept pushing us back, then they got a very very soft free kick to the right hand side of the box. Their player took that, slotted it bottom left and gave Owen no chance. A very good finish by Rockland making the score 1-0.  

We started again, tried to play football but it just wasn’t our day, nothing seem to go right. 

We got a free kick with James Bennett taking it and having a great shot but hit the post. Had that gone in, I felt that would have been our turning point in the game but sadly it wasn’t to be. 

Rockland caught us off guard to make it 2-0 and we were chasing the game, not really managing to get into it.

Just before halftime we were messing around with the ball then Rockland got luck of the bounce and put their third away making it 3-0 at halftime

Second half starts straight away with Rockland at us, hunting for more goals and they got it taking the score to 4-0.  

We still battled to play football and when it did come together we created opportunities.  

We did get a free kick, so Andy Cranmer stood over the ball sent in a nice delivery to the far box for young Alex Wharton to finish it.  

After this the game slowed down and the lads did try to battle but it was definitely a different side from last week.  

 I just felt today was a test for the young lads first season in adult football, some games will be tough, but we will pick up our heads for next week at home to Longham FC and give it our best.