Hempnall FC

Comment on this article

So, it's Sunday morning again and once the mist clears from your mind (yes another good race night!!), you get that warm glow of satisfaction every manager gets when you know your side has done well for you.

Over the last 2 weeks we have played well but with no reward. However this week we finally put in 45 minutes of ‘controlled' football that secured us 3 points against a good, youthful, Loddon side, who slightly held the upper hand in the first half but it is my belief our experience told in the second.

Loddon is a notoriously bad hunting ground for us, so the good feeling is heightened as finally we got the 3 magic ingredients right i.e. (1) good players (2), working hard (3) as a team. Ben Nichols was away for the weekend so Simon Jackson returned to the starting line up, Michael Ayton resumed in goal and Club skipper BP completed the squad.

The game opened up with a bright 10 or 15 minutes for us where 2 or 3 half chances were created, the best a weaving run from Captain Mills who let loose a shot which was a little too close to the keeper and Collins comfortably saved. From there on in Loddon's young mobile side took control with some good passing football on a very uneven surface. Several quality balls were delivered into our penalty area but a combination of good defending and riding our luck kept our goal intact.

Half time involved some stern words and a reminder of our game plan for the day, this worked wonders as the lads carried out the strategy to a ‘T'.

Ayton became a virtual spectator as the tide continued to swing our way the longer the game progressed. Pressure mounted and eventually the deadlock was broken as man of the match Iain Mills hovered majestically to power home a header from an in swinging corner.

Once we got in front it didn't look as if we would let it go easily, with some sensible ball retention and a mind set that is required to gain 3 points at such a tough venue.

Well done guys, now on to Watton Wednesday.

Thanks to everyone involved in the organising, attending and working off the race night, another great night out. Well done to all who contibuted.

Finally, a special thanks to Heidi who let it slip that my rough tough builder mate who had been giving me stick for 2 days around the manliness you require to be part of the building game, he actually had to go home to get his hands creamed and massaged !! May be he isn't so toughl!!