Hempnall FC

Hempnall met Mattishall Reserves wishing to improve on their patchy form of late. 

Bunn had a decent squad and decided to play a four four two formation, so we were expecting a fairly attacking game, hoping for a few goals, and that is exactly what we enjoyed.

It was end to end from the start, Mattishall probably shaded the early parts of the game and probably should have taken the lead, but their finishing was wayward.

Hempnall, though, were far more disciplined in front of goal, and Hempnall went 1-0 up through the ever hardworking Marjoram following a splendid through ball from Miller.

Shortly after, Hempnall were again looking strong in attack, and their number 8 was upended in the penalty area, and up stepped Miller to convert the penalty.

Mattishall though were not disheartened, and continued to look good looking forward, Hempnall were fortunate on some occasions with the Mattishall forwards running offside, or continuing with their disappointing finishing.

Hempnall were aiding and abetting the Mattishall fightback, with some sloppy passing and bad decision making in dangerous areas giving Mattishall a chance, and they came back into the game from a penalty. 

The game continued end to end, Blake, Hartle and Womack all going close but Davis in the Hempnall goal had to be at his best to ensure Hempnall stayed ahead.

Then the excellent Shaun Kelly broke out of defence to cross the ball  which Womack pounced on to score his second and Hempnall’s third.

Despite not being at their best, Hempnall went into half time 3-1 up.

The game followed a similar path second half, Mattishall tried to take the game to Hempnall, and another set piece following another sloppy passage of Hempnall play saw Mattishall score to start the jitters in the Hempnall camp.

Hempnall kept up the pressure though, and a corner saw Blake shoot, the keeper parry and Dowling unable to get the ball out of his feet, but it fell for Womack to fire home for his third and Hempnall’s fourth.

Game over? Far from it. Hempnall were again the authors of their own downfall, allowing Mattishall to score two goals to level the match, 

Billy Kelly and Kieron Goreham came on to add impetus, both were unable to convert their chances, the keeper making saves, and we were thinking Hempnall had given it away, when in the final stages, Womack scored a fully deserved goal for his hat trick and Hempnall’s fifth. 

Hempnall managed to see the game out from there, and we went home happy though it is likely that Mattishall felt they should have returned home with at least a draw.

An enjoyable albeit frustrating game which saw Hempnall give the ball away too many times, but fortunately, Womack was in fine finishing form. 

Shaun Kelly had an exceptional game, but with his hat trick and his general work ethic, Womack was excellent, so I think it’s joint MOM today.