Hempnall FC

Comment on this article

So, finally, at the 4^th time of asking we got some points on the board with a good all round performance that ‘arguably’ should have seen us win by more.

The squad was strengthened by the return of Ben Cudden, Tom Halliwell, Kelvin Willimott, Neil Renaut & the full commitment of Ali Shearer who had been considering a future at Norwich United. But sadly Paul Hunter failed to recover from a hefty tackle received the week before so joined the injured list.

The game opened up brightly with us dominating from the word go, the SAS (Shearer & Stevenson) were proving a handful for the home defence & created several half chances. Franklin burst through from midfield but got underneath the ball & his shot flew high over the bar.

Harwin looked to have scored when he headed home unchallenged from a corner but the goal was ruled out for pushing in the box before the ball reached his head.

So halftime arrived with us having done everything but score. The team talk was for more of the same, but adding patience & composure to our game, the goal(s) would come.

An expected Dersingham uplift in their game never arrived & we continued to dominate with Cudden only having 2 shots all game to deal with.

More chances came, the best to Vaughan Stevenson but he glanced his header wide.

Eventually though the pressure paid off & Franklin gleefully knocked home as the ball ran loose in the penalty area.

We looked to add more but unfortunately the 2^nd didn’t arrive until the very last kick of the game when Tim Downs ran the whole length of the pitch after a home side corner broke down to get on the end of Willimott’s cross to coolly slot home.

So the last 5 minutes were a little edgy with the one goal margin giving no guarantee of victory.

Well done to all the lads in getting 3 points under an element of pressure with us sitting bottom of the league. Tom Halliwell secured our 'Man of the Match', with Downs & Pretty again playing well.

Sadly this saw the last game at the club for Sam Wenham who has decided a fresh challenge is needed & joins rivals Cromer town. Thanks Sam for all your efforts & we wish you well. One place below us though will be fine.

Hopefully a couple more of the injured will be back for our Mummery cup game at Sprowston on Saturday.