Hempnall FC

Hempnall this week travelled to Sloughbottom Park to face Norman Wanderers.

With players missing we still managed to field a strong 11, with manager Kelly as Sub.

As is the norm this season, Hempnall started slowly and found themselves a goal down when a loose pass was collected by the Norman player who fired into the top corner.

Hempnall slowly grew into the game with Craske and Bennett seeing more of the ball, feeding the ever running Fisher, which created our first chance when a ball into the box wasn’t cleared and fell to Bennett who volleyed over.

Soon after Cullum was played through, but could only shoot wide at a narrow angle after rounding the keeper.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining, Kelly brought himself on for Cullum and this had an immediate effect when a free kick from Taylor was sent into the box which Kelly headed into the net for the equaliser.

Only a few minutes later a ball over the top from Bennett found the on running Kelly who calmly lobbed the keeper to put us 2-1 up.

The second half began with Norman seeing more of the ball as they came out fighting, but the Hempnall defence of Taylor, Youngs, Kelly and Cleverly stood firm and dealt with everything thrown at them, and with the game opening up we found more joy and space.

With Norman pushing more men forward, it was the pace of Kelly and Fisher stretching the play after good balls from Craske, Bennett and Taylor. Chances came and went for Hempnall with Kelly missing the clearest chance when shooting straight at the keeper.

With Norman only a goal behind they kept pushing and got their reward when a cut back found the unmarked midfielder who slotted past Bailey. 2-2.

As the game went on, both sides missed chances with either poor final balls or good defending.

It was unfortunately Norman who took the lead with 15 to go next when a good ball through the defence found the attacker who placed his shot past Bailey, much to the delight of the Home fans. 3-2.

Much to their credit the boys didn’t give up and a free kick was sent into the box again by Taylor, this time finding the other Kelly brother who deftly flicked his header past the keeper. 3-3

With only a few minutes to go, Captain fantastic Craske took matters into his own hands, when he picked up a loose pass and played a 1-2 to with Kelly and found himself one on one with keeper, looked him in the eyes and cooly place the ball the other side of him, to then be mauled by his teammates and the travelling fans. Final score 4-3 Hempnall.

A brilliant performance from the lads today, the work rate, intensity and teamwork from everyone was superb.

M.o.M could go to a few people, but for his best performance at the club so far it has to go to James Youngs, he put his head, body and feet on everything and had the moment of the game when in trying to clear the ball, missed it and with the momentum of his swing, took himself out and landed flat on his backside.