Hempnall FC

Hempnall Reserves welcomed top of the table and unbeaten Rockland Utd Reserves to Bungay Road for this Cup match.

Hempnall had a strong squad looking to capitalise on their recent string of good results, and having only narrowly lost to the same team a few weeks back, we were expecting a close encounter.

For the most part, that is exactly what we were treated to, an end to end game where Hempnall probably shaded the first half but their wayward finishing let Rockland off the hook and that, allied to the excellent goalkeeping of the Rocklands keeper left Hempnall thinking it might not be their day.

Hempnall started on the front foot, but Rockland were showing why they are leading the pack, with most of Hempnall’s attacks resulting in half chances as the Rocklands defence was generally solid.

Shots from Orford, Amini, herbert and Cullabine didn’t really trouble the keeper, neither did a decent header from the other Cullabine on view.

Hempnall conceded a rather soft goal, and could have gone two down but for a fine penalty save by Fox, and this all happened when Hempnall looked the more likely to score.

Ping pong in the Rockland area almost resulted in a goal, but the keeper pulled off fine saves on two or three occasions, and Hempnall were wayward or unlucky to see the ball stay out, before Ryan Cullabine finished to make it 1-1.

Hempnall were in the ascendency, but another lapse led to Rockland’s second, then Hempnall had a bad patch and Rocklands scored another four before Hempnall decided to up their game again and get one back, but too little too late.

Untidy finishing and a lack of coordinated play after 50 minutes of an up to then tight and even game led to Hempnall’s demise, but the score was not a reflection of the game.

Well done to the referee for letting the game flow as best he could.

Tom’s MOM was goalkeeper Gerry Fox.