Hempnall FC

Today we travelled to Hockering for our first round Cup match, knowing we had to up our game from last weeks performance.

A few strong words with the lads before the game to motivate them, and a change of formation ensured the lads went out full of enthusiasm.

With the match under way, Hempnall quickly pressurised Hockering with some good football being played all round, Hempnall had many chances but their keeper was pulling off some fantastic saves to keep them in it.

Against the run of play, Hockering found a way through and went 1-0 up.

This motivated the lads to get quickly back into the game, continuing their quality football being played from the solid back four to the midfield, who were dominating Hockering.

Ryan Cullabine played the ball out wide to Jack Herbert, and with his pace, Hockering’s back four weere torn to pieces; he hit a lovely cross into the18 yard box, where Danny Elton was there to finish it with a cracking header.

We were back in the game, still realising we had to step it up another gear, and that is its exactly what we did.

To their credit, Hockering also upped their game, but aaron Bradley had our back four organised, and we weren't letting anything through.

From defence, the ball was played to Jordan Orford in the middle, and after a few quick, one touch passes, passed the ball out to the wing where Danny Cullabine then took a couple of players on and had a shot. It paid off, and in went the ball making it 2-1 to Hempnall.

The half time team talk was positive, no changes were made as everyone was playing so well, we went back out knowing we had to continue putting the pressure on.

We had a goalkeeper in Gerry that was quick off his line to snuff out danger.

Hockering couldn’t break through, we were happy to make a couple of changes 15 minutes into the second half to get some fresh legs on. On came Mikey Goldie and Jordan Batterham on the right hand side, linking up play perfectly with Radford, Cullabine and Orford who were playing some fantastic football in the middle, making Hockering work hard.

The ball was played out to the right wing, where Mikey Goldie, with his rapid pace, tore their left back apart, he crossed the ball and Jack Herbert ran onto the ball to finish with a stunning volley.

3-1 with 20 minutes to go, we then made another change getting Simon Cullabine on, and he immediately almost scored with a cracking header, but the keeper pulled off a good save.

Even tho being 3-1 up, we didn’t ease off and created a number of further chances, but Hockering’s keeper pulled off some great saves.

The final whistle went, we were comfortable 3-1 winners.

I would like too say well done to all the lads for such a great performance, it's the best we’ve played by far. I can’t give a m.o.m. because of how well everyone played so it goes too everybody.