Hempnall FC

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It’s difficult to remember such a tough time in management as yesterday and I have been in this game a long while now!!

The last few weeks have seen the side ‘rock’ as one thing after another had gone wrong and the value of yesterdays 3 -2 win at Loddon can not be underestimated in restoring confidence , faith & belief both for the players and the management team.

My headache this morning bears testament to the relief at the final whistle at securing those 3 points.

But my God, we made it hard, Loddon have their own problems & the one thing we didn’t want to do was give them anything to cling on to. So yes you guessed it, 5 minutes in & we were cut open down our right hand side & a decent ball across our 6 yard box was neatly tucked away to give our hosts a dream start.

But the boys dug in working hard to get back into the game & from one of many chances created ‘leading scorer’ (and so he keeps telling everyone!!) Carl Harwin equalised from a corner.

So at halftime we went in on top & confident of gaining a win.

However, as of late we didn’t make anything easy & 10 minutes in we were cut open again, this time down the left & an almost identical goal was scored to again give Loddon the lead.

At this point in time we looked a beaten side with people pointing the finger at each other, heads down & Loddon creating havoc in our penalty area. But some how we hung in, Cuds pulled off a good save & slowly but surely the tide started to turn our way again.

Rob Browne started to cause problems & secured a penalty, possibly a little harsh on our hosts. Up stepped 100% Tim Downs, only to crash his shot against a post.

The deflation in our body language & hopes was visible on almost everyone.

But this is when I saw the Hempnall spirit rise, the lads again dug deep although the feeling was an over riding ‘its not going to be our day’, again!! The guys somehow found the energy & mental strength to push on again, as usual BP leading by example.

Ali Shearer was introduced although not 100%, he started to probe & run at the home defence.

A second penalty was secured after I am told by home & away fans, a blatant push in the box, my Arsene Wenger impression ‘I didn’t see it’! Up stepped Paul Hunter to crash home the equaliser, dealing well with the pressure, despite his confidence like every one else’s being fragile.

Now there was only one team going to win it; Kelvin Wilimott joined the battle, stretching Loddon’s defence down the flank but it looked like the clock was going to beat us as chances came & went.

Rob Browne who has suffered more than most of late had other ideas though, he cut inside going past 2 or 3 defenders before crashing home a 20 yard right footed (Yes right footed!) shot into the top corner. A goal worthy of winning any game.

The joy was unbelievable & I think my run and leap wouldn’t have been out of place at the Olympics (ok going a bit too far now!!).

So a 3-2 victory gained in difficult & strained circumstances was obtained. Iain Mills secured the man of the match award with a battling centre forward display that Frankie would have been proud of!

I wish to thank Foz, Ships & Lydo for their support & their efforts in rallying to the call. Good commitment all roun.

So it’s on to next week game a trip to Senior Cup holders Mattishall (2pm ko) & a lads ‘themed’ night out to follow, man I wish I hadn’t drunk that last pint!!