Hempnall FC

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We received some early set backs when Greg Devlin (ill) & Jamie Pretty (work) were forced to call off. Into the squad came Kristian Jones for his 1st game since his nasty injury at Watton and Simon Jackson. Paul Hunter made his full debut and had an excellent game in the centre of midfield.

After a 7 week lay off the pro’s & cons of the break were in our minds and the team talk involved much discussion on how we had under performed to date. However with 18 games remaining there were still opportunities to make a mark on the season.

The boys responded to the challenge and within 10 minutes, 2 goals from the ’30 year old’ Tom Halliwell gave us an excellent start against a Brandon side impacted by late call offs. Both were clinical finishes as Tom showed some excellent foot work.

Our play at this time was superb, with some crisp one touch passing that had the opposition chasing shadows. However before we could add to our tally a rare slip in concentration on the day enabled the dangerous Waites to reduce the arrears.

This didn’t set us back though and Franklin added number 3 as he challenged with the keeper and slammed home as the loose ball dropped to his feet.

Then another good move resulted in Rob Browne bursting through before delicately ‘dinking’ the keeper as he rushed off his line.

Paul Franklin then added number 5 after a good move left him with time and space to clinically finish again.

With the game effectively over as a contest at half time, the challenge was always going to be about keeping it going and maintaining concentration. Marty Addison picked up an ankle injury so Simon Jackson stepped in at the back.

Again the lads responded to the challenge and within seconds of the restart, Ben Player drove in number 6 with his ‘left’ foot! No, this is not a misprint!

Kristian Jones and Kelvin Willimott entered the contest on 60 minutes and Kelvin was quick to make an impact on the score when de steered home number 7 from the narrowest of angles on the far post.

Brandon then scored their 2^nd when Waites again pounced on a lose ball in the box to demonstrate why he is one of the top goal scorers in the division.

Paul Franklin then completed the scoring and his hatrick when he ‘pulled rank’ on normal penalty taker Rob Browne.

On a brilliant all round team performance when scoring 8 goals against any one at this level is a difficult feat, I felt Paul hunter just sneaked man of the match with an impressive full game debut.

Also, well done to the Reserves with another good 3 points keeping them top of the table and thanks to Oz who picked up the referees whistle for the A team in their friendly against Drayton.

A last reminder of the Club Reunion next Saturday, with 160 plus people expected it should be an excellent night.