Hempnall FC

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So the longest season I can remember came to a close with our 19^th league victory of an 11 month campaign, against a hard working Mattishall side.

The task was made that much harder with 6 of the squad that did so well at Cromer, including every defender & the goalkeeper, not being available for one reason or another.

So in came Alistair Evans for his debut, Neil Forsdick, Kristian Jones & Ian Garrod, plus Sam Wenham & Tom Halliwell neither of whom were 100 %. Plus Coach Marty Fuller pulled in at the 11^th hour as 2 daytime call offs left us no room to manoeuvre.

Again the lads rose to the occasion & I will repeat myself by saying this is the best bunch of lads I have ever worked with. Mentally tough, professional in their approach & plenty of ability.

Game plans, benching & change of tactics are never queried, always given 100% opportunity to succeed. Training is well attended by most.

So why didn’t we do better, I hear you say?

Well for starters a 3^rd in the Premier is no mean feat but I think we could have done better with more experience & a settled squad from the outset.

The sides that narrowly finished above us have that extra know how of winning championships and know the way home. However the experience gained this season will stand us in good stead next & with a better start who knows!?

As for the game we were embroiled in a physical battle for supremacy and the same as the encounter a few weeks earlier, the encounter wasn’t pretty.

However the lads stuck to the task well picking up much of the 2^nd ball but it was the visitors who had the clearer opportunities with a post struck by Duncan Hewitt & an open goal not taken advantage of.

Ten minute into the 2^nd half the game swung our way when Kelvin Willimott burst into the box & was pulled back on the edge of the box, was the offence inside or out (see Trevor’s excellent photo). The officials without the photographic evidence deemed inside & a penalty was awarded.

Up stepped Mr ‘calm’ Paul Hunter to despatch the penalty into the bottom corner.

Minutes later a goal of excellent quality arrived from man of the match mills when he controlled a ball on his chest, swivelled & smashed an unstoppable volley past the rooted Pledger (again see the photos). Pure class and worth the entrance fee alone!

Mattishall are not a side to give up easily & continued to battle. Our legs started to wilt particularly those not 100% & so Garrod & Pretty replaced Halliwell & Wenham.

It was Ian Garrod who had the opportunity to make it 3 when the ball fell to him 25 yards out but his delicate chip just cleared the bar with the keeper scrambling.

The pace of Premier then caught up with Alistair Evans who had an excellent game marking the very difficult Simon Wooden & on stepped coach Martin Fuller for the biggest cheer of the game.

Mattishall then pulled a goal back through Richard Brett but despite some nervy last few minutes we hung on to secure 3 more points taking us within a point of Cromer.

With the last game gone a few words of thanks:

Thanks to all the lads for their splendid efforts throughout the season, it has been a pleasure.

Thanks to Marty of his excellent coaching, many have commented on how this has improved their game.

To Stewie, for all his Saturday support & companionship on many a cold Tuesday night as we travel the county watching games.

To Vicky, who is an unsung hero in our team but critical to our operation.

To Ray for his hard work in maintaining the pitch.

To Willy who for is one of the most integral parts of our clubs operation with all his fund raising. This for me is the toughest job in the club, thanks Wills a great job.

To Trevor who does much work in the clubs communication through the website & program.

To Margaret for washing the kit every week.

To Pagey for keeping me fit by chasing across fields looking for the kit!

Finally to my old mate Franks, if there is a bigger & more reliable character in football then that club are lucky to have them. Alright, I accept he is not popular with Refs (although most want his name for some reason!!) & disliked by opposition that don’t know him.

But if there is someone you want beside you in the trenches, I can’t think of a better guy.

I expect I have missed someone important & my apologies in advance if that’s the case.

Well done all a great season & It’s the clubs annual dinner on Saturday, lets have a good relaxing (beer, beer I want more beer!) night & enjoy a well deserved break.