Hempnall FC

Without key players Billy Kelly, Matthew Daynes, and captain Chris Everard, plus other players unavailable for a variety of reasons, the first team were stretched, indeed the Club player pool was at the bottom limit meaning the Reserves had to travel to Belton with only 10 players, so the task facing the club today was to say the least, ‘difficult’– Bank Holidays, who would have them?!!

Against a very good East Harling team, who are clearly on the up, it was always going to be difficult, and again, the wind and hard pitch proved to be a factor that Hempnall found difficult, though East Harling certainly made light of the issues, notably in the first quarter.

A lapse gifted East Harling their first goal, and another donated them their second against the run of play, and it was then that players seemd to think it wasn’t going to be their day.

Going into the break 0-2, the game was not beyond Hempnall, and they came alive, having at least as much play as Harling, but unable to convert.

There were a number of positive performances, Etherington, Lambe, Watts all looking dangerous without quite managing the final pass or shots at goal; fresh legs later in the game saw Hempnall create a few chances, including one from the manager, Dimsey who couldn’t quite convert.

It is clear that when Hempnall’s cutting edge return to the fold, the team will compete well in this division. It is equally clear that East Harling will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

Bellingham spoke well after the game, concentrating only on the positives. Indeed, all the lads showed great positivity, so players heads are up, realising that it is down to getting a settled team – with half the team changing from week to week, patchy results are only to be expected.

Finally, well done to Greg in his interview with Nick Bowler on Radio Norfolk, he repesented the Club (and local football in general) very well – let’s hope his aspirations can be met. All at the club support him to the hilt.

One very positive feature was the return of the ‘Hunnies’ supporters, always lively and good to hear them shouting on the lads.