Hempnall FC

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It’s always good to hear what a fellow manager thinks of your side, and upon reading Mick Broxup’s write up which describes Hempnall as ‘not a place to go for the feint hearted’. It is pleasing that a guy whom I have a lot of respect for sees Bungay Road as a tough place to go.

Certainly we have made it that way in the last 4 games with good sides such as Beccles, Acle, Brandon & Spixworth overcome, whilst scoring 18 goals. If only we hadn’t of ‘blipped’ with a poor performance against 'title favourites' Blofield away from home, we may have still been in with a shout.

Still we will have plenty of opportunities over the next month to test our away form, what with all 4 games being away from the fortress!

Ben Cudden & Carl Harwin returned but unfortunately Lee Devlin, Ben Nichols & Tom Halliwell were still sidelined, plus JP felt he needed more match time to get back up to speed so travelled with the Reserves. They obtained another 3 hard earned points to stay 7 points clear at the top, well done all.

Marc Garrod joined the squad, and he along with the other 2 substitutes showed an excellent attitude throughout. Again after reading Mick’s report (the 2^nd ‘late’ one) it is a timely reminder of what a great bunch of boys we have at this club. Attitudes good & not batting an eyelid at what ever is asked of them, thanks guys.

On the day, the players came in 1 hour 40 minutes before the game, to talk through our inept performance the week before and to look constructively at the mistakes made. Each individual was given targets to improve their game.

Unfortunately Mr Hunter missed his, blaming his sick Nephew for his misreading of instructions and decision to travel to Beccles and not Hempnall, School boy (teacher!) error or what. Must have been an excuse used by one of his pupils I think, lol!

Rob Browne certainly appeared to take heed of his target of better movement (or was it because dad was there, if so please, please come again!). From the off, he tore holes in a previously tight defence, first setting up Gareth Downs to thump home a 20 yard unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner. Then twice leaving the Beccles defence standing to coolly finish two '1 on 1’s', giving the keeper no chance.

A 3 goal start in this league is tough for anyone to pull back but Beccles gave a quick reminder of why they are doing so well. Remblance repeated his feat of last season curling home a free kick to reduce the arrears.

However, Browney also wasn’t finished again bursting through before coolly lobbing the keeper to restore our 3 goal cushion and complete his hat-trick.

Back came Beccles and Remblance right on halftime, a curling corner wasn’t defended well and the prolific striker headed home his second with ease.

Half-time instructions were all around shortening and shutting down the game, playing percentage football, maintaining possession as long as possible.

I am pleased to say the lads were excellent in the application of these instructions, and no further goals were added. Arguably of the chances that did come the best were ours what with Browny and Frankie missing 1 on 1’s, both having done the hard work. Plus Iain Mills, who stood strong all day, looping a header against the bar.

My picks of the bunch on a good all round performance were the obvious in Browny but also Greg Devlin and Carl Harwin whose ‘bodies on the line’ performances were admirable.

Well done all a good days work.

Finally, at the risk of taking the bait, lol!

A friendly word of ‘historical’ advice to our ‘chicken counting’ neighbours down the road whom have a good, no excellent, track record of fostering sons.

Beware the Ides of March, you may never get to see Wyatt ‘Franklin’ Earp and his brothers at the Bungay Road corall.

I sincerely hope you do, it would be just reward for the ‘true’ football people at the club and make ‘Premier’ life more interesting!