Hempnall FC

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For several matches now our performances have been good but we haven’t obtained the results our all round play has merited. On several occasions I have stated to the lads it’s all about taking our chances as the effort, quality, discipline & all round play haven’t left much room for improvement.

So, before the game on Saturday although we were without regulars Ben Player, Tom Halliwell & Lee Devlin, I still felt optimistic we could get on the winning trail.

Plus Hempnall has never been a happy hunting ground for visitors North Walsham who find themselves in a similar position to us in the table.

It was evident from the word go my optimism wasn’t misplaced as the lads ably led by skipper Tim Downs set about giving the visitors no respite. We were first to the ball all over the park & chances started to come & ‘the difference’, the chances were taken (see Trevor’s photo’s in the gallery).

The first, a stooping header from the now physically fit Ali Shearer who dived low to head home a good Paul Hunter cross from the right. Ali has been struggling all season with a niggling foot injury & for him the enforced winter break has been a good thing.

As it has been for the ‘creator’ Paul hunter who seems to be buzzing with the confidence crucially missing for a player of his quality in the early season.

The second goal quickly followed as Vaughan Stevenson burst through & was taken out by the keeper. Up stepped the confident Hunter to dispatch the penalty.

Vaughan then went one better when he turned on the half way line, ‘danced’ (just like Saturday nights!!) past 3 players before coolly dispatching the ball past the keeper.

We were now running rampant & Ian Mills turned on the edge of the penalty area before looking up & curling an exquisite shot into the far corner.

The pressure mounted & number 5 arrived as the keeper misjudged a cross & it fell into the path of Vaughan to knock home his second & our fifth.

Halftime arrived & the game was over as a contest. Our challenge to produce a second half that wouldn’t discredit the first, & leave us with any feelings of we could have done more.

Not an easy ‘mental’ challenge but I am please to say it was achieved.

The guys produced more of the same but North Walsham did battle hard & looked more determined in the second half.

We did however add a 6^th when Ali Shearer turned on the halfway line much like his striking partner before setting of on a more direct route, his pace taking him past several defenders before ‘clinically’ slotting home.

Adam Mallett & Ben Nichols entered the game & made useful contributions.

On a good day all round the man of the match just went to Vaughan Stevenson, pipping Ali for the plaudits.

I would like to mention & thanks to North Walsham, Managers Chase, Lown & their players whom I felt were a credit to their club.

It’s not easy to show your faces after such a defeat but I believe every player turned up for the post match beer & food. Their attitude & interaction were good, & they certainly built up a lot of respect at Hempnall.

I feel you learn more about people when the chips are down than you ever do in victory. If this sounds patronising in any way it is certainly not meant, I genuinely feel what I have written.

Next Saturday sees us travel to Acle in the league cup quarter final, note the early 1.30pm kick off.