Hempnall FC

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After the dire second half performance on Saturday that left title dreams shattered, Tuesdays visit to Cromer was always going the an interesting one in terms of players (& managers) reactions.

Was it going to be a case of ‘deck chairs’ out and looking forward to the summer or a rolling up of sleeves, putting right the lacklustre performance of Saturday, proving to the world & probably more importantly ourselves that we are not just some ‘also rans’?

Certainly the call in the dressing room was one off character, commitment & desire but would it materialise? Talk is cheap!

I am pleased to say that the rallying call was answered by the players with a performance of total commitment & we can once again walk with heads held high in knowing we are one of the top sides in the Anglian Combination.

The line up had 5 starting changes to that on Saturday with Cudden, Renaut, Hunter & Willimott returning, plus James Panayi, playing his first game of the season. Tom Halliwell & Sam Wenham joined the injured list.

I told the players I would know with in 5 minutes if they were ‘up for it’, I knew within 2. Every ball was competed for & bodies put on the line, as we dominated early play.

Our reward for a good start came on 15 minutes when Paul (the jelly baby kid!) Hunter saw the narrowest of gaps left by the experienced Pauling & curled a free kick into the net from 2 yards outside the box.

Tales were up & confidence rose, in a game eagerly contested but not dirty. This typified as a through ball was contested by Pauling & Franklin in a crunching coming together of bodies. Treatment was needed but both dusted themselves off & got on with it.

Frankie then burst through again with speed not seen since his halcyon days a decade ago & let loose a dipping volley that hit the angle of post & bar.

Halftime approached with the contest still in full swing but no further goals were added.

As predicted, the second half would saw Cromer in a ‘do or die mood’ as their own dreams of Sterry Cup glory hung on the next 45 minutes.

They started to dominate play but we still found time to test Pauling with Willimott’s well struck shot being smothered at close range by the ‘veteran’ keeper (Sorry Nath but you must be getting on, you played in a side that I was still playing in lol!).

We struggled to retain the ball as well as the first half, not through our ineptitude but through the qualities of our opponents.

The pressure mounted & legs started to look a little jaded, consideration of substitutions was in full debate when a period of pressure resulted in the ball running free into the path of Matty Eves who smashed home the equaliser.

In earlier seasons this would probably have signalled our demise on a ground we have never won on but we are made of sterner stuff these days & dug deep.

A diving header from Mills went just wide & another looping volley from ‘Linford’ Franklin just cleared the bar.

Then came the winner, a goal fit to win any game as this time Browney curled an unstoppable free kick round the edge of the wall, which went in off the post.

The tired legs appeared to dissipate as the adrenalin surge a goal gives people kicked in.

The sniff of the 3 points needed to guarantee a top 4 finish (our season target) were in the air. Cromer came on strong 3 pushed up front.

The defence held firm with youngsters Harwin & our man of the match Nichols being well marshalled by the experience of Panayi. The rest of the boys also dug deep throwing bodies on the line to secure the victory against a side not beaten in the league since 26 September.

The significance for us, a massive shot in the arm restoring pride & optimism of what ‘could be’ but also tainted with a small dose of what might have been.

The significance for the Sterry Cup race, probably given Blofield another title in what could be an historic treble for their 2 new managers, Messrs Nash & Warman, whom I have the greatest of respect for.

Whilst on that subject, my already good respect also went up for Chris Wigger & Nicky Mace who were very gracious in defeat. They must have been feeling that same pain we felt on Saturday but conducted them selves admirably.

Upon reflection there are many good managers currently in this Premier league both in terms of knowledge & as people. In a job that is no place for the feint hearted & brings much pressure (even at this level), the majority treat each other with a ‘knowing’ respect.

Enough of that camaraderie crap! So it’s on to Tuesday & 3 more hard points to be battled for against a good Mattishall side that, if achieved, will guarantee us a 3^rd place finish.