Hempnall FC

After their excellent win at Caister the week before, we were looking to the team repeating their performance against top of the table Hoveton.

The pitch was not at it’s best, the contractors have not been able to cut it so being tufty in places meant a difficult surface, albeit flat enough, but one requiring care when controlling the ball.

Regrettably, Hempnall were again depleted through, work, sickness and injury, and managed to field only 12 players, again including the Manager, (this time in defence), whereas Hoveton were able to field a full complement. Hempnall again had changes at the back, and no recognised centre forward.

Our very best wishes go to our newest player, Ryan Higgins, who was rushed into hospital during the week with appendicitis. We understand he is progressing well, hopefully we may see him again before the season’s end.

Hempnall started well enough, with Kelly, Etherington and Lambe looking dangerous going forward, and the teams were, for the first 20 minutes, evenly matched.

Then some sloppy work allowed the Hoveton forward in, and he finished well.

Still Hempnall were well in the game, but just before half time, the referee gave Hoveton a penalty though Dimsey was adamant he didn’t touch the player, another example of decisions apparently going against Hempnall, effectively sealing their fate in the game.

The second half was reasonably even though Hoveton always looked the more likely to score, and several very decent saves by keeper, Hemmings always kept the BRF in hope that one of the likely lads might pop up with a goal to put the game in the balance, but it never happened.

Though there were several decent performances, in the opinion of the Secretary, two players stood out for Hempnall, they were Stockell and Hemmings.