Hempnall FC

After the previous week's difficult game at Bungay, the BRF were expecting a better performance, and they certainly got one.

Manager Dimsey bolstered his squad, and with the return of regular first team player Billy Kelly from holiday, and Adam Bellingham from work commitments, the squad had a stronger feel about it. New signing Daniel Navarrina was also on show.

Captain Tom McCarthy was returned to his more customary role of central defender, and this gave the defence a solid feel, and with the goalkeeper in great form, we were treated to a first class defensive performance – Boast and the keeper, Liam Craig, were outstanding, though it was evident from the start that all of the players were more committed and confident than they were the week before.

Hindringham started very strongly, looking dangerous during their frequent forays into Hempnall's half, but were unable to make their early dominance count, and Hempnall soon grew into the game, and themselves looked dangerous, the 'new boy' Navarrina, Kelly and Etherington all breaking well, and with the midfield able to compete well, Hempnall were awarded a penalty after an ill-judged in the box challenge. Regrettably, the penalty was easily saved by the Hindringham keeper, and we wondered whether Hempnall would capitulate.

But they didn't, and after 18 minutes, another good break was finished off in fine style by the promising Navarrina for 1-0.

The BRF were much happier this week with the effort from Hempnall.

Shots rained in (from both sides), we were getting very excited for Greg and the boys, the defence was doing well, the Hempnall breaks were looking promising, just a few bad decisions when the lads were getting close to the opposition box stopped Hempnall from going further ahead.

Shots were either mis-placed or straight at the keepers, or well saved.

One amazing escape for Hempnall was courtesy of McCarthy who somehow cleared off the line, and the Hempnall keeper also showed his worth on two or three occasions, the photographer missing his Kevin Keelan like tip over the bar as he was sharing banter with the 'Kelly crowd' in what Mrs. Kelly wrongly assumed to be the new grandstand.

A very entertaining end to end, sporting match was extremely well refereed (in my opinion) by the very experienced Andy Hedtke, who left the players in no doubt who was in charge, much to the amusement of the crowd who much enjoyed the banter, a perfect example of how to deal with players without regularly reverting to the 'book'.

Hindringham did, much to their credit, keep the pressure on, we were though thinking that the well marshalled Hempnall defence would hold on to their narrow lead – regrettably, the only 'mistake' (!!!!) the referee made was to add on 5 minutes additional time when Hindringham scored their equaliser, and to be fair, could have got the winner, but that would have been very unfair to Hempnall, and a draw was the right result.

Thanks to the Hindringham lads for staying afterwards, it was a pleasure having them at our place.