Hempnall FC

Hempnall Reserves were at home to Wensum Albion and were expecting a tough game, both teams being mid table. Wensum included their new signing, Jamie Miller, who, until last week was a Hempnall first team player.

Hempnall were without normal goalkeeper Ryan, and in stepped the veteran, Jason Trett, for his first Reserves appearance.

The teams were evenly matched from the off, though Wensum took an early lead when a misplaced pass in defence let the Wensum forward in, who slipped the ball past a despairing Trett.

This was not the start Hempnall were expecting, but it exemplified the somewhat sloppy passing we saw, which let the side down on more than one occasion.

Nevertheless, Hempnall picked themselves up, and going forward, looked dangerous, with Cullabine in particular showing skill and endeavour, picking out an angled shot which the keeper comfortably saved.

Hempnall were again on the attack, Land managed a header from a corner that was, whilst on target, not strong enough, but it was spilled and Wensum belatedly cleared. 

Hempnall looked the side more likely to score, and up popped Hempnall’s hardworking Jordie Batterham to finish well for Hempnall’s response.

A few minutes later, some good play saw Hanwell challenge the keeper, the ball dropped to Ryan Cullabine’s feet who crashed in Hempnall’s second. 

Half time – 2-1.

The match followed a similar patten in the second half, poor passing saw Hempnall give the ball away too easily, but last ditch defending kept out the opposition who were capitalising. 

Hempnall had half chances and did not take them, and the inevitable happened – an opposition breakway saw Jordie blemish his fine performance with a poor tackle that led to a penalty which Trett saved; at least we thought he had, but the ball spinned awkwardly and somehow bounced in for 2-2.

Pity for Trett who was deputising well for Ryan and showing what a good keeper he is.

So, Hempnall looked the better team, probably should have been ahead on chances created, and with the midfield now coming into their own, especially Mann, prompting and creating for Cullabine and Hanwell, Hempnall finally secured their third, through a piece of fine play, Mann firing in from 12 metres.

Hempnall kept attacking and thought they had scored a fourth when Land’s shot was kept out by the keeper, but the ball fell to Cullabine who was adjudged to have been offside.

At the other end, Trett was still looking secure, and with Radford and Amini working hard, half chances were snuffed out, whilst at the other end, Hempnall could have scored another couple, Cullabine blasting over, and Land shooting straight at the keeper. 

Simon Cullabine had an excellent game in defence before a slight injury forced him off, but he had to return to sub for Land, and playing a more forward role looked dangerous, but he couldn’t find the net either.

Overall, a decent if slightly scrappy performance, where Hempnall could have, and probably should have, won by a greater margin.

There were several decent performances, the eye catchers were the Cullabine brothers, plus all of the defenders, but my MOM for his strong performance in goal is Jason Trett.