Hempnall FC

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Report by Andy Clitheroe

Scole Vs Hempnall Res – 24/08/10

Before we start, apologies to Andy Clitheroe who has written the report - we have "the system" set up for the Managers to report, but the Reserves Manager has decided to delegate, messing up my system!! We will think again and get the pictures updated (probably!).

Hempnall went in to the Tuesday evening game looking to kick start their season after a disappointing defeat to Acle the previous week. The match day squad was a strong one, not to dissimilar from the title winning squad of last season. The addition of Beeto in goal looks to be a good one, who marshalled well behind a familiar back line of Jones, Potter, M Barrett and Pretty. Due to the unfortunate injuries to both Ian Garrod and Dom Jones, our central midfield had a different look to it with Marc Garrod and Oli Pointer slotting in, with Clitheroe and L Barrett on the Flanks. The striking positions were filled by Cawston and Whiting who have both looked sharp in pre season, with Daniels, Emmet and Sidell on the bench.

Conditions were not ideal, with a strong wind suggesting it would be difficult to play any pretty football, and the team talk focussed on the importance of out working our opponents, and to play football where we could. Hempnall started brightly and with the wind blowing across the pitch, the majority of the play was with Clitheroe and Jones on the right wing. Despite some neat interchanges and a number of crosses, we struggled to create any clear cut chances. Defensively we looked solid as the opposition’s goalkeeper appeared to be their biggest threat with long kicks downfield in the swirling wind causing us the occasional problem.

The only real chance of note in the first half arrived when a long ball from the back was chased by Cawston who managed to get a toe to the ball before the onrushing goalkeeper, but was unable to direct it goalwards.

HT: 0-0

The half time team talk suggested we had matched them for work rate, and were in the ascendancy, but needed to create more chances, and within a minute of the restart a good ball over the full backs head from Garrod allowed Clitheroe to get away down the right, and his cut back found Cawston lurking on the edge of the area, and his low drive looked certain to be heading for the bottom corner, but unfortunately came back off the post with the goalkeeper beaten. Hempnall were now well on top, and further chances came, with Oli Pointer arriving into the box with a superb left foot volley after good work by Whiting and L Barrett on the left, only to find the Scole goalkeeper in inspired form with a good diving save.

With the match shortened to 40 minutes each way (still unsure why this was, as there was plenty of light at full time) Hempnall knew they had to push on in search of a winner, and with that all three substitutes were introduced. With 5 minutes remaining came a moment of real controversy, when Beeto rushed out of goal towards the wing to close down the ball, only for the ball to strike his hand outside the area. The referee waved play on, and Hempnall can count themselves lucky no action was taken, but a Scole player was very quickly shown a straight red card for his dissent over the issue, leaving them to battle out the remaining minutes with ten men. Hempnall continued to push, and right at the death a mix up in the Scole defence left the ball high in the air with the goalkeeper stranded, and new signing Sidell was there to direct the header goalwards from the edge of the area, but in the difficult wind it flashed just past the post and out for a goal kick.

FT: 0-0

Man of the match has to go to one of the back four, who looked comfortable and solid all game, with Barrett and Potter looking particularly assured.

On reflection there are positives and negatives to take away from the game – firstly if we are going to be competitive this season, these are the games we need to push on and get three points out of. Possibly there is a slight issue over match fitness of a number of players (none more so than myself), where normally we would dominate in the second half of matches, we appeared to be tiring instead. Also, had we had the full 90 minutes instead of 80, Scole may have found it difficult to hold on with only ten men. On a positive note, we look very solid defensively, having only conceded one goal on our first two matches giving us a good platform to build on. We travel to Hellesdon on Saturday looking to recapture our goal scoring form of last season.