Hempnall FC

Hempnall welcomed Swaffham Reserves to Hempnall for Hempnall’s first game since meeting the same team at their place before Christmas, where the home team narrowly won largely due to Hempnall’s profligacy in front of goal. Weather had caused Hempnall’s recent fixtures to be postponed, so we were expecting a tough game at Hempnall, especially with four players missing due to unavailability.

In stepped three Reserve team players, who fortunately had no game, Cullabine, Mann and Ryan. 

The pitch was a decent surface given the weather we’ve had, though Hempnall seemed to master the conditions a bit better, and looked the team most likely to break through in the early stages, though Swaffham came close, a superb tackle by stand in right back, Mann, ensured the opposition forward could not convert.

Further pressure from Swaffham was easily dealt with by keeper Ryan, and with all the Hempnall midfielders working extremely hard, creating half chances for the front two of Cullabine and Dale, a breakthrough was looking likely. Kelly’s runs in particular were causing difficulties for the Swaffham defence, and a run and reverse pass from Kelly saw Dale score Hempnall’s first.

Once again, Womack was making his presence felt, and Goldie was able to find him with Womack’s shot a little fortunate to hit the back of the net, but fully deserved nevertheless.

Hempnall went into the half time break two goals to the good. Manager Bunn urged ‘more of the same’.

Hempnall came out in the second half full of confidence,  and again looked the team most likely to score.

A free kick from the normally accurate Blake sailed over, then the keeper pulled off a fine save, and Hempnall were looking for more.

A third goal duly came, from an excellent strike from Dale, who then almost connected again, but the keeper snuffed out the chance.

Billy Kelly then smashed a shot against the crossbar, before a cross came in for Cullabine to run and plant a fine left footed shot into the net.

Swaffham had a couple of chances, but Hempnall were well worth the 4 goal advantage, and that is how it stayed.

Today’s performance was excellent under the circumstances, and it is hard to pick a man of the match – there were a number of candidates, Dale (for his two goals and constant threat), but frankly, all players had a case, but for his superb performance stepping up from the Reserves, and playing in an unusual position for him, my MOM this week is Daniel Mann.