Hempnall FC

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From our league position alone, a neutral may think that Hempnall Reserves are having a bad season. Second from bottom is not a position any club sets their sights on (unless of course you're bottom) but this is where we found ourselves before we lined up to face Harleston Town.

Our away fixture against Harleston a few months prior, had resulted in a 6-0 thumping. We couldn't complain, not just beaten (by arguable the best footballing side in the league) but we were torn to pieces, especially in the first 45 mins.

For some unknown reason we went into the home fixture with a realisation that we were playing a high quality side but also a feeling of optimism. Sometimes you just get a feeling it going to be a good day!!

Right up until the early hours of the saturday morning we had our 'Director of New (or old) Talent', James Barnes, scouting for a centre half who could fill the (massive size 12) boots of the majestic Ben 'Pique' Ling. We finally completed the signing of a mysterious, yet imperial footballer who has spent most if his career creeping around the shadows of local football, and is known to many as simply, Pecker.

The 14 man squad to face Harleston was as strong as it had been since our opening game of the season, against Thorpe, we went into the fixture with this unknown optimism or underdog spirit! With Disco Danny Quantrill as our conductor, Jimmy Dale and Pecker at the heart of the defence, and 2 of the most talented (YOUNG) full backs in South Norfolk, Oli Pointer and Alex Chapman (both South American born, and owned by a consortium).

The Midfield was packed full of experience with Paul 'workhorse' Kemp (or Captain fantastic), David (and Goliath in one) Storey, Matty 'Pretty Boy' Nixon all filled the centre of the park allowing just enough room for the talented Ali and Dean to slide in either side and do all the leg work for the other 9 players.

The lone ranger/striker role has been filled by numerous number 9's this season, but to face Harleston, we pulled in the shaggy haired traveller, James 'Phileas Fogg' Barnes. Trying to get this lad to play football is like trying to get Kevy Oakley to pass a ball, virtually impossible (hee hee).

It is important, not just in football but it all areas of life, to start as you mean to go on…first impressions do count! Harleston kicked off and after what seemed less than a second later, Barnes smashed their player taking man and ball before he'd even had a chance to draw back his foot. That tackle alone determined both the tempo and nature of the game. We went on to win virtually every single 50/50 challenge an even a few 70/30's. Harleston controlled more of the ball, and broke the defence on 2 occasions, closely missing one and our keeper saving the other.

After the half hour mark we had made some decent progress down the flanks, the ball was knocked into Barnes who laid/bundled the ball to Nixon. Nixon took a touch with his right foot and smashed the ball with his left into the back of the net, which he'd been threatening to do for the last 5 weeks! The crowd went wild, (all 6 of them) and so did the players!

We went in at the half time interval 1-0 up and knew more of the same was need second half. The second half followed the same pattern as the first, with possession taken by Harleston but without much penetration. I can't remember the second goal….in my head in went like this (Pointer jinked past his man, played a lovely one two with himself, feinted with his left then delivered a Beckham esq cross to pick out…) Barnes, who latched onto a back pass then rounded the keeper and knocked the ball into the back of the net.

By now the crowd of 6 had swelled to 7 and Bungay Road was rocking, fireworks, flares and blow up sheep (these came from Harleston) temporarily scattered both the pitch and the skyline.

Harleston now 2-0 down with 20 mins to go were pushing men forward like the Americans going into Iraq. As they pushed on, we retreated and eventually conceded with a decent ball into the box and a tidy turn and finish by Norman. With a few minutes still to play, we needed some resolute defending and a little bit of time management to see it through to the final whistle with all 3 points.

The 3 points were not only well deserved but also well needed, keeping us in touch with the teams above us with some important games ahead. The performance by all 14 of the Hempnall players was nothing short of outstanding, making it hard to pick a 'Man Of The Match'. Alex 'Stuart Pearce' Chapman had monster game at his preferred position of left back (yeah right….left wing next week, I promise), Dean Mortimer caused havoc down the right flank and Alistair Dick the same down the left, with some mazy runs deep into the Harleston half.

The performances of the 2 centre backs, Jimmy 'Peter Pan' Dale and 'The Pecker' were tremendous with neither player putting a foot wrong all game, and appeared to comfortably contain what was a lively strike force. The midfield trio were at their mercurial best controlling the turf and the guts of the game. It leaves just one last mention for James 'Hunter and Gatherer' Barnes who after spending 6 months wondering the outback has returned with longer hair, and ankle bracelet, some tales of mischievous shenanigans and no desire what so ever to play football. One thing you can be sure of is this; as soon as you get this lad on the pitch, fit or not, he has a hunger and desire to win which is matched by very few.

A truly great day, great performance and a well earned 3 pts. I have heard a lot mentioned during the week about how Harleston had a bad game and how no one could believe the result. Well...let me tell you, Harleston are great footballing side (probably one of the best we've come up against) they have some talented individuals, a great manager and general a nice group of guys. But when it comes to football, you know one thing that can disrupt even the highest amounts of ability, is the desire to win. On this occasion I think its fair to say we wanted it more than they did.

Best of luck to Harleston in their 2 Cup escapades, we'll make sure we get a strong following down to watch WHEN you reach both cup finals!

MOM: The Pecker

Score: Hempnall 2 Harelston 1

Scores: Nixon and Barnes (Home) Norman (away)