Hempnall FC

Comment on this article

Hempnall travelled to East Harling knowing for one of the tougher looking matches of the season they must start better than the week before. Changes were made to the side with Gareth Motteram returning in goal, Ross Jones moved back to right back, Jack Tarrant replacing the unfortunately injured Cawston and Page replacing Clitheroe on the right who this week was in the first team.

Hempnall began brightly with Page terrorising the left back. The extra man in midfield was working well as Hempnall passed the ball and looked well on top. East Harling then altered their shape and began to get a grip on the game and leading up to half time were well on top as Hempnall stopped passing the ball instead surrended possession with lots of long balls.

It was no surprise when a corner from the left was flicked on at the near post and flicked home at the near post by a gleeful Harling forward. Hempnall then rode out a storm for the rest of the half to maintain the score at 1-0.

Changes were made at half time and due to a change of shape, the unfortunate Ross Jones was replaced by the returning Lee Barrett due to a booking picked up late in the half.

Lee took his position on the left with Marc Garrod moving from midfield to right back. These changes and a higher work rate started to cause Harling huge problems and Hempnall were soon back in it when Lee Barrett was brought down in the box. Captain Dom Jones stepped up to smash home the penalty to make it 1-1.

Hempnall continued to press and took the lead when the hardworking Gav Whiting scored a fine goal after a great Hempnall move.

A third followed minutes later when Hempnall broke from a corner with Page and King with King racing onto a Page through header, rounding the goalkeeper and tucking the ball home.

Hempnall were now on top all over the pitch and added a fourth as King was upended in the box. Dom Jones stroking home his second of the match.

Quinnie then replaced King and moments later Lee Barrett added a fifth after rounding the keeper and now Hempnall were now 5-1 up midway through the second half, a big turnaround from a disappointing first half.

Kemp then came on to replace Dom Jones.

A mistake at the back gifted Harling a second but it was Hempnall's day. A great away win which overshadowed a bad performance from the referee with Jones, Potter, Page and King booked for innocuous things and some poor tackles by Harling going unpunished.

Roll on Fakenham next week then November which will make or break the season with 2 Junior Cup rounds and league matches vs Foulsham and Marlingford.