Hempnall FC

With late call-offs and a growing injury list, the manager, Dimsey, was up against it, but managed to secure the services of goalkeeper, Rob Boyd, and managed to field a couple of subs too.

When things aren’t going well results wise, though, decisions also seem to go against you.

Without question, Easton looked the better side overall, and deserved a win, but Hempnall were, to say the least, a tad unfortunate to lose 0-5.

Hempnall had a few first half chances, none of which were converted, though Lambe looked the most likely player on the pitch to break the first half deadlock. Unfortunately, he couldn’t convert or the final pass went astray.

The defence was playing well, though Easton’s silky football at times caused them problems. The new keeper, Boyd, really looked the part and kept Hempnall in the game with a number of good saves and interceptions.

We were also impressed with new defender, Matt Barber, who had a good game at centre half alongside Kelly.

An unfortunate hamstring injury saw one of Hempnall’s main threats, Daniel Navarrina, leave the pitch and he will be out for a few weeks, adding to Hempnall’s growing list of injured players.

After a goal-less first half, things were looking up, and Hempnall were well in the game and we felt confident the team could come away with at least a point.

In the early part of the second half, the referee, who had a decent game overall, decided to award a penalty to Easton, apparently for ‘pulling in the area’. With the Easton players walking away after the whistle was blown presumably thinking it was against them, all on the pitch and in the dug-outs were surprised to see a penalty decision given against Hempnall, which was very well despatched.

This was a game changer, and Easton had their tails up.

A bit of messy defending handed Easton a second, and from there, Hempnall found it difficult to contain the visitors, who rattled in another three goals, with Hempnall’s chances limited to a few half-chances.

The 0-5 scoreline was very unfortunate and didn’t reflect Hempnall’s 70 minutes of playing well.

Secretary’s MOM was Boyd.