Hempnall FC

Hempnall today met Erpingham (from the North Norfolk League) for the first time since 1961, with Ray Youngman, a spectator today, manning the Hempnall goal in that game, which resulted in a 2-1 victory.

Today though, it was a fairly one sided encounter, with Hempnall from the off looking up for the game, and Erpingham just unable to contain the strong running forwards, Blake and Womack, in particular. 

Hempnall scored from almost their first attack; following a corner, the ball pinged about the penalty box and Way was there to stroke the ball home.

Hempnall never looked back, and played some excellent passing football; in fairness, as the Erpingham lino said, there was a bit of a gulf in footballing terms.

The Erpingham number 11 did look to run at the Hempnall defence but his effort on goal was easily dealt with by the keeper who was largely spectating.

Hempnall continually attacked, we thought Womack might be in for a good day, and he scored Hempnall’s second from a header following a superb cross from Hartle.

Edwards was able to show his attacking prowess too, able to support the front two and have a shot or two himself.

Hempnall’s third was from a long range Jamie Miller effort following some excellent dribbling skills, again leaving the keeper with no chance.

Every Hempnall attack looked dangerous, Dowling went close with a header, before Womack beat the defence to poke the ball past the keeper, Edwards shot across goal just evading the lunging Womack, but it was relentless from Hempnall. 

The opposition keeper was excellent, and saved well from Hartle, then again from Womack, then Watts, but it was only a matter of time before Womack scored his hat-trick.

Another save from the keeper, then Womack hammered another one in, then another. The writer’s goal of the half (I know many will disagree) was the superb header from Stephen Blake, who then went on to score his second with a rasping shot to the near post, leaving the Erpingham keeper with no chance, taking us to a half time 9-0 scoreline.

After pressure from the Secretary / photographer, Bunn withdrew Womack, who was rapidly becoming the subject of most of the match photos (!!), and (Billy) Kelly, Thompson and Leather were introduced for Womack Cleverley and Watts.

Kelly immediately started running strongly, the defence unable to cope; it is good to see Billy getting back into his stride following his two season enforced lay-off through injury.

Erpingham didn’t give up, and goals were a bit harder to come by, though Kelly wasn’t quite quick enough to convert, and after another good save, the resulting corner was headed in by Way.

It was pretty much one way traffic, Edwards had a decent header easily saved, Blake was still causing difficulties, Kelly looked as though he could shoot all afternoon and still be unlucky enough not to score – we were hoping, but with mother waiting in anticipation, Billy couldn’t provide.

Dowling got in on the act, then the keeper made another save and Dowling couldn’t quite latch onto the loose ball. 

Erpingham kept going, and had a couple of chances, one should have been buried but went over the top, another across the goal, perhaps Hempnall were getting a little over-confident.

Dowling then finished again, Womack, back on, crashed in his sixth, before Erpingham themselves had another close effort. 

Billy Kelly decided to keep us on tenterhooks again, hitting the cross-bar this time.

Davis was brought into action with a decent close range save, and that was more or less it. 

13-0. 

Played in an excellent spirit throughout, Erpingham were a credit. 

We were also fortunate in having an excellent referee in Adrian Sannerude.

MOM has to go to Womack for his double hat-trick, though there were plenty of good performances on show.