Hempnall FC

Hempnall Res took on Hockering Res in a reversed fixture due to the unavailability of Hockering’s pitch.

The Hempnall squad looked strong and confident after the previous week’s win, and the new managers were pushing to maintain their early run.

A strong looking bench included Jordy back from holiday, he took the line without hesitation, the lads are bonding well. Also, Alex Chapman, looking for fitness, took the subs top, it’s great to see him back in a Hempnall shirt.

From the off, Hempnall pushed forward, the strong running Poll-White alongside the experienced Forbes were looking for Elton’s and Land’s runs, Radford was taking his captain (and joint manager) role very seriously, fighting for every loose ball, so it was all looking promising for the watching BRF.

The first shot came from Elton, bringing a low save from the keeper, Hempnall continued to attack, the next shot going over the bar.

Hockering though responded, the Hempnall defence generally comfortable.

Hempnall kept the pressure on, and a goal was ruled out for offiside, Land had another effort, then Elton tried a Rooney-esque overhead which clipped the top of the bar (glad that didn’t go in, quipped Oakley, we’d have never heard the last of it!), and we were wondering where the first goal was going to arrive.

Arrive it did from a Hempnall player, but not in the correct net, the defender trying to clear, instead found the back of the net for an against the run of play 0-1.

Hempnall were still looking the more likely, then Tommy Leeder felt his knee go, and after breaking it a couple of years ago, we are hoping the injury isn’t serious, best wishes Tommy.

On came Alex Chapman, who hasn’t played for two seasons, and he started where he left off all that time back, taking on and beating defenders and looking the classy player we know he is.

After several Hempnall efforts were either defended well or went flying over, and a Hockering effort was kicked off the line, a slick, one touch move involving several Hempnall players culminated in Chapman finishing with aplomb for 1-1 at half time.

The second half saw Hempnall well on top, and despite a few minor scares, always looked the more likely, and Hempnall got their just rewards when the excellent Elton cracked the ball in giving the keeper no chance.

To their credit, Hockering never gave up, and themselves had a few half chances.

Hempnall though secured a deserved third through Elton, with an excellent finish into the corner, to ensure Hempnall’s victory.

Hempnall had further efforts, a free kick from Poll-White was narrowly wide, and Elton, looking for his third could only prod the ball into the keeper’s arms.

All in all, a very satisfactory win for the fledgling management team of Radford and Bailey, the team play the return fixture at Hockering next week, let’s hope for a similar result.