Hempnall FC

Hempnall welcomed Gorleston Reserves to Bungay Road knowing that Gorleston would be at full strength as their first team were without a game. Gorleston looked easily the best team we have seen at Bungay Road for a couple of seasons, fit, strong, skilful and proving a very difficult opponent for the home side.

With Shaun Kelly unable to attend at short notice, the manager lost his most mobile defender, but still turned out a decent looking 13 players.

Hempnall started brightly enough and had the first couple of chances through Bennett and Griffiths before Groleston got into their stride.

When that happened, their large front units started causing the Hempnall defence great difficulty, and their small, young, winger, I-Atadjo, was running the defenders ragged – a name to look out for, I would suggest.

Knife through butter, goood crosses and ragged defending due to the movement of Gorleston made the half time score of 0-4 inevitable, though Hempnall did have the odd chance or two.

In the second half, Hempnall, for 20 minutes, looked pretty good, Kelly seeing more of the ball, Bellingham working very hard, and Griffiths working an exceptional shift as the lone striker.

A few half chances were either missed or comfortably dealt with, and whilst Hempnall looked better, decisions were perhaps not going their way, debatable hand balls not given, though to be fair to the referee, he explained why he didn’t give the decisions whilst giving others.

Gorleston were able to score a further 4 goals, their fitness, skill levels and movement were exceptional on the day.

The one disappointment (apart from the score) was the number of bookings and the sending off of a Hempnall player for two offences that the referee deemed bookable, in a game that contained no untoward challenges.

The ref had a generally good game, taking the time to talk to the club officials, but it was disappointing to see a player sent off with 4 minutes to go when the home team were 0-8 down for what was a tired, slightly late challenge.

Ah well, when it goes against you it goes against you, so we dust ourselves off and go again next week.

This game was never going to determine our season, very few teams will beat a Gorleston side playing like this, they would grace the Premier division, let alone D3.

Despite conceding 8 goals, Hempnall’s keeper, Davies, had a good game, he could do nothing about any of them.

Secretary’s MOM goes to Griffiths for his hardworking performance.