Hempnall FC

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What a superb day for the club, 2 weeks ago we had the rarity of 3 victories for the club, this week it was achieved again but this time with 14 goals scored and none conceded. This again made for a great after match atmosphere as the results filtered in & the beer flowed.

With Carl Harwin working, Lee Devlin partnered Craig Hunting in a solid partnership & Tim Downs returned from his work absence to slot into midfield.

From the off, the mood of the guys was ruthless winning every lose ball & after only 2 minutes Rob Browne struck a thunderbolt of a shot which came back off the underside of the bar for Tim ‘energy bunny’ Downs to bundle home for his fourth of the campaign.

This signalled a twenty minute spell where Loddon were pinned in their own half but we couldn’t add to our score.

The next 10 minutes saw the game even out but we continued have the lions share of the play before Loddon slowly came into the game. I think we can count ourselves a little fortunate to hold onto our lead, as I felt with better finishing the away side could have been on level terms.

Just before half time any jitters were settled as against the run of play Vaughan Stevenson added our second with a great piece of individual play. It was just reward for a player who came to the club with a little bit of a ‘laid back’ reputation but whom over the last few weeks has worked his socks off.

He has become a very popular member of the squad & you could see the camaraderie smiles amongst his fellow players.

So halftime & a reminder of the terrific football we had played in the first 30 minutes, some tweaking to remove the negative elements of our game & also to remove the ‘down beat’ thoughts of what we hadn’t done.

The second half again saw a fairly even 15 minutes with both keepers being kept busy, Ben ‘Energy overdose’ Cudden had to pull of 2 great saves. Not sure he knew what day it was with the amount of energy drinks & Lem Sips he had popped before the game!!

The game finished as a contest after Rob Browne burst through only to be taken out in the penalty area. Up stepped Paul ‘Energy supplier’ Hunter, to coolly dispatch his penalty into the bottom corner.

Ali Shearer, Neil Renaut & Matt Cartledge were all introduced to the game, & all played their part in a satisfying 14 man performance.

Again it was pleasing to see Ali Shearer end his goal scoring drought with a coolly taken 4^th goal, as he burst clear of the defence before rounding the keeper to slot home. You could visibly see the pressure lift of his shoulders & the genuine pleased smiles of his team mates as they knew what it meant to the player.

So many positives, a great result, the SAS (Shearer & Stevenson) off the mark, the performance was a good one & the dressing room afterwards a sea of noise.

Ben ‘Mr Energy’ Player secured the man of the match award with a typical Captain's performance covering every blade of glass twice over.

Also a mention for young Tom Nield who with his 2 assistants put in a good performance.

There was other good news off the pitch with Greg Devlin last week having seen a specialist and being told he can play again. This is a great lift for both him & the Club. He will require an operation in December & could resume training in February if all goes well.