Hempnall FC

We set up with a few young lads and a new partnership with Nick Talbot and Jack Thompson playing centre back.  Longham set up with a couple of tall lads up top. For the first 10 minutes Longham were looking for their number 19 and he was a causing a little problem for our centre backs, but as the lads got into the game more we started to play some fantastic football with key passing coming from young Zach Anderson and Jamie Bennett bossing the midfield.

 Longham got a corner and their number 19 proceeded to score from that, but the boys heads didn’t drop at all. 

As play went to the other end their keeper made a hash of the ball and James Bennett was there to chip it in to make it 1-1.

We were on top from that point. Luke Day was seeing so much of the ball down the right and causing them trouble every time he went forward.  

Kyle Wright on debut scored the goal of the game; it was like the famous Dennis Bergkamp goal against Newcastle, score 2-1. 

We were still on top playing with confidence passing it around, no long balls and playing out from the back, we came in at half time leading.

Second half kicked off and Longham really started well and began to put us under the cosh a little bit. 

Their striker was chased down by Nick Talbot- I felt he made a great challenge but the Ref thought otherwise and rewarded Longham a penalty taking the score to 2-2.  

Again the boys never dropped their heads they just carried on playing their game, still playing some great football. We made a couple of subs and this changed the game a little bit.  

We were on the attack and a beautifully placed ball in the box for Ryan Ramsbottom to head home put us 3-2 up.  

Ryan Ramsbottom then had a great shot from about 20 yards out beating the keeper but seeing the ball come off the cross bar- so so close to going in. 

Our midfield duo, Jamie Bennett and Zach Anderson, were battling for everything. 

A mention goes to Andy Cranmer as he played in three different positions in this game and never gave up. 

As the game went on Nick Talbot and Jack Thompson were playing together really well considering this was their first time partnered up.

With 15 mintues to go Longham were putting us under a little pressure now, they were pushing for that equaliser and with 10 minutes to go they got it- a very good strike from them made it 3-3.  

They were putting the pressure on us again for that winner and they came close a couple times but the boys held out.   

We upped our game and Ryan Ramsbottom placed a cross into their box and young Charlie Fitzpatrick was there to put it in the net and score the winner for us. 

Final score 4-3.

Absolutely great team performance today and the Man of the Match goes to Luke Day.