Hempnall FC

Hempnall welcomed D2 side Gayton in the Cup, for Hempnall’s first home game of the season. 

The pitch was, like many, very hard and somewhat bumpy, with minimal rain all summer it defies logic to play on such surfaces, but that is what we have to do, and it is the same for both teams.

For the first 20 minutes, Hempnall were probably overall the better side, with a few half chances not snapped up, but Hempnall, in their usual fashion, decided to gift the opposition a couple of goals, and a goalkeeper error, misreading the bounce of the ball, gifted a third, so it all looked over for Hempnall at half time. It possibly could have been four but for a fine save by the Hempnall keeper who atoned for his earlier error and generally looked very secure.

The second half continued much as the first, and both teams could have had goals, in fact, it was debatable whether a goalmouth scramble at the Hempnall end actually saw the ball over the line, but with no goal line technology available, the decision went with Hempnall. 

Hempnall got back into the game with a penalty after new boy Dale was tripped and took the penalty to beat the keeper.

Hempnall felt they were back in the game, and their attacks were looking far more dangerous, and a cross from Dowling saw Womack challenge the keeper who felt he was fouled, but the ball ended up in the net for 2-3.

With not much time to secure a draw, Hempnall couldn’t quite finish to secure extra time, and the match ended 2-3.

A good watch, with the new players Ringer, Dale and Barnard certainly looking as though they will be assets for the season ahead, all had good games.

It is difficult to pick a MOM, with both Kellys and Marjoram in particular, having excellent games, and Womack his usual combative, hardworking, self, Cleverley in an unfamiliar role did well. 

Onwards and upwards!