Hempnall FC

Main match report by Jamie Bennett with additions from the Secretary:

In a cup semi final against clear favourites Young Boys, (top of the Premier, dropped only a single point, with a goal difference of 81), Hempnall came out determined to create an upset. 

On a bobbly end of season pitch, Hempnall started brightly but a cagey opening 10 minutes saw Young Boys having the lion’s share of possession. 

The first goal was a good finish when Young Boys capitalised on sloppy Hempnall play, and a well timed through ball set their striker in on goal, who finished well through the keeper’s legs.

From there Hempnall dusted themselves down and went again. The next 35 minutes saw an end to end game, with Young Boys seeing the majority of their work well thwarted by great Hempnall defending, the star first half defenders were Shaun Kelly and Steven Blake. 

Hempnall played some great football testing the keeper and defence on a few occasions, with Billy Kelly and Jamie Etherington seriously testing the Young Boys defence.

The first half also saw a flurry of yellow cards coming from the battle in midfield, no serious foul play but competitive and really good to watch. 

Half time 1-0 Young Boys. 

The second half began with Young Boys pressure resulting in a goal following a number of deflections. That was more or less it, not only were Young Boys looking better, Hempnall didn’t really get going in the first part of the half, but they kept going, heads didn’t drop.

Minutes later a third goal came as a result of another long ball which Hempnall couldn’t deal with.

The rest of the second half consisted of Hempnall hard work, some threat, a few half chances, but generally Young Boys were comfortable and looked a very good team with much of the possession.

However, the scoreline of 0-4 was, in the end, fair but Hempnall can hold their heads high for what was a spirited performance against a team head and shoulders above any other in the Sunday League.

In a loss situation, it is always difficult to pick a MOM, but in the opinion of the Secretary, the call is between Billy Kelly and Jamie Etherington – let’s call it an honourable draw.

A word again for the referee Scott Garrod, who was, in my view, excellent, a proper referee.