Hempnall FC

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Three weeks ago the fortunes of the club (or more particularly the First team) were such that even I who have been around for years (& some might say too long) had a ‘nano’ second of doubt about our abilities.

That point was when ‘Mr 100%’ Tim Downs (sorry old mate, love you to bits) missed his first penalty at Loddon whilst 2 – 1 down to a side struggling for its own form. I looked at the body language & general morale around the Hempnall personnel & thought "this is going to take some turning around if we lose this one"!!!

However, in the next breath I thought, there is too much quality and character in this side for us to roll over and take defeat easily, and so it proved.

Three weeks on we are 3 wins on the bounce and securing a 5-1 win at a battling, but no disrespect to Stalham, Division 1 side who didn’t have enough in the locker to stretch us beyond those early moments. Yes, they caused us a few problems early on and indeed took the lead. Then again I saw the calmness & Hempnall ‘all for one and one for all’ spirit take over.

Again the spark was Rob Browne who cut in from the left to crack home his 3^rd goal in 3 games and again more surprisingly with his right foot, this time curling a quality strike into the top corner of the net giving a top goal keeper in Nichols no chance.

Better was to follow as Browny knocked a quality ball down the line for Millsy to start on his ‘Hatrick’ crusade, cutting in from the left hand side of the penalty area, skipping past 2 defenders and striking an unstoppable shot past the home keeper.

The halftime team talk was one of keeping the tempo high, discipline to the shape and percentage football.

This I am pleased to say was followed out well and we completely dominated the 2^nd half to add goals from Renaut and 2 more from Mr Mills to complete his hatrick.

This contributed to him securing a joint man of the match award with Matt Cartledge who made an impressive debut.

So, a good professional performance to secure a quarter-final place where we travel to play a good Acle side.

Thanks to Stalham FC, Henry & Carl for their hospitality, it is always good to meet up & chat with ‘true’ long serving football people who have their club & football at heart.

Throughout the day, both during the game & later on whilst socialising, so many people are asking where is it all going wrong?

My answer, performances have been good throughout, we are still in all 3 competitions, judge us at the end of the season & write us of at your peril!!! & ‘Yes’ I am fired up & I have believe in the teams abilities.

Finally, thanks to Mark Harvey & Dave Garrod for their support on Saturday, it was much appreciated.