Hempnall FC

With extensive player unavailability, manager Crnamer was fortunate that the first team had no game, so was at least able to call on the first team managers to make up a scratch side against Arts Eternal.

We also welcomed back George Watts from a lengthy injury absence, and Sunday keeper, Lewis Bailey also helped out. A couple of first team regulars were also included.

The team started with 7 (yes 7) players who also play, or could play, Veterans football, Saturdays are now work days for many, and that is hitting the squad badly. Cranmer again played himself in goal.

So, with 7 new players, it was inevitable that cohesion would be lacking.

That is how it panned out, and the younger opposition generally looked a bit more mobile.

Hempnall were finding it quite difficult to contain them, though Aaron Bradley did have one decent chance which he blazed just over, and when the opposition scored after hitting the bar a couple of times, Hempnall did come back and finally Bradley clipped the ball into the net for 1-1.

Hempnall had another couple of half chances through Forbes and Roache but were unable to capitalise.

In terms of play, the game was quite even, and it looked promising at 1-1 at hlf time.

In the second half, Hempnall had several corners, a few half chances and some decent play through Bellingham, Forbes, Roahe, Bradley and Watts in particular, and Matt Chapman was doing his best to use his pace, but the team were inevitably tiring, leaving gaps for the opposition to exploit, and it was during the latter stages that Hempnalll couldn’t cope, and allowed three further goals to be scored.

It is clear that manager Cranmer needs a settled squad, almost impossible for him to achieve with the injury issues, work commtments, so inconsistent performances cannot be avoided.