Hempnall FC

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Despite the photo being of Ross Potter, this excellent report is written by Dominic Jones.

Hempnall travelled to Beccles Caxton, again with a number of changes to the squad. The management decided to continue with the new formation used so effectively against Downham Town, albeit with a number of new personnel.

Ling and Osbourne came in at full backs, with Emmett on birthing duties, Talbot moving into midfield alongside Barrett and Garrod, replacing Tarrant (unavailable) and Cartledge (first team).

Whitting, was called up to the first team and so was replaced with JD, who took his place alongside Kristian Jones and Lee Barrett.

Into the squad for his first appearance came Dave Hyatt and making a welcome return Gareth Motteram.

Whilst bottom of the league, we knew the Caxton would provide tricky opposition, not least because of the very wet and soft pitch, which would certainly be a leveller.

This proved to be the case for the majority of the first half. Hempnall failed to find any rhythm, were well off the pace and second best in most areas.

Passes were going astray, as we were out worked and out fought. Having threatened on a few occasions, including a dis-allowed goal and striking the post, it came as no great surprise when we actually did go 1-0 down. A sloppy ball given away in the middle third of the pitch was capitalised upon by Caxton who broke quickly to score.

We continued to be second best as the half wore on, and just as we were looking to maintain only a 1-0 deficit at half time a moment of magic changed our fortunes.

We were awarded a free kick to the left of the box about 25 yards out. Up stepped Lee Barret to curl a wonderful kick right into the far top corner stanchion of the goal. At 1-1 just before half time, we were back into the game.

The emphasis during the team talk was about the absolute need to improve and start to compete in all areas. Work rate had to be upped and we needed to try to be more constructive and clever when in possession given the conditions of the surface.

The harsh words seemed to do the trick as the team came out like a different side. From being second best in the first half, we dominated in this period.

Garrod and Barrett in midfield got control of the game as we pushed forward to win the game. It was us now threatening the Caxton goal and the breakthrough came again from fantastic skill and quick thinking from Lee Barrett.

With JD and Kristian coming more into the game, excellent work down the right flank resulted in the ball finding its way to the feet of Barrett about 8 yards out. Surrounded and unable to turn, he scored from a superb “Henry-like” back heel into the bottom corner of the net to take us into a 1-2 lead.

The pressure continued and again it was Lee Barrett that went close, heading a fantastic JD cross on the run into the bottom corner only for the Caxton keeper to pull off an amazing save low down.

However the resultant corner was played short to Matt Barrett who whipped in a hard low cross/shot, which took a small deflection on its way into the goal and a gives us a 1-3 advantage. The dubious goal panel were called into action to determine whether it be deemed an own goal or not, but in the end it was decided to allow Barrett to claim his second goal in 2 games, or to put another way, his third in 10 seasons !!!

At 1-3 and in order to sure up the side, Hyatt was brought in centre midfield in replacement for a tiring Osbourne (who put in a good performance). For the final 15 minutes Motteram was brought on to replace Lee Barrett. Apart from a penalty shout for Caxton, the game then petered out, allowing us to leave with all 3 points.

In the conditions and circumstances, it was an excellent second half performance from the boys. In a type of game that we have either drawn or lost up to now, it was extremely satisfying to come away with all 3 points and demonstrated more of the battle qualities we showed last year.

Special mention to Man of the Match Lee Barrett for 2 superb goals, his quality being the big difference between the sides in the second half. He is beginning to recapture his form of last season and is coupling that with a much improved work rate and this can only be a major plus for us.

Also to Motteram in helping us out due to being on numbers, thanks mate. 2 tough fixtures now lie in wait (Foulsham and Attleborough) so we must now really work hard to take all that we can from those game and continue with the resurgent form we have showed in the last 2 to 3 weeks.

Final mention and congratulation must go to Lee Emmett on the birth of his baby daughter. Well done and massive Congrats mate, from all of us !!!!!!!!!!