Hempnall FC

Hempnall visited second from bottom Scole, with a strong squad just missing Watts and Batterham.

After strong recent performances, Hempnall were confident of a good, match winning performance.

The team started strongly, and a good cross from Womack saw the ball enter the Scole net off an opposition head; a good start but unlucky for Scole. 

Scole though were looking to attack, and forced a corner, the ball eventually being cleared.

At the other end, a free kick from 25 yards was steered into the grateful hands of the keeper.

Hempnall were looking very fluent though, attacking from both sides with full-backs Billy Kelly and Michael Goldie particularly prominent on the wings, and the excellent Jack Herbert showing fabulous skills in midfield, though the overall team effort was outstanding.

Scole had another half chance and weren’t lying down, but with Etherington skimming past the defence at every opportunity, it was only time before Hempnall scored again.

A corner saw Shaun Kelly head against the bar, and soon after, another good ball saw Herbert hook the ball in for 0-2.

Again, Scole kept going, and the returning Hempnall goalkeeper, Swatman, pull off a good save to deny the forward.

Another close call saw the ball skim across the Hempnall six yard box, before another wonderful Hempnall move saw a cross shot from Etherington eventually, after great skill, despatched by Herbert for his second and Hempnall’s third.

Hempnall continued playing great, thrusting, football, and another move saw Womack deservedly score after a good run for 0-4.

Goldie then had a great run and just failed to beat the keeper who did well, and then came a superb, crunching tackle from Jillings, which caused the Scole player to fall awkwardly on his head. After a delay, the player was still shaken and had to retire, sportingly telling me it was a great tackle – excellent comments from him.

Scole, after the injury, came back fighting, a ball again skimmed across the Hempnall goal before the Scole forward hooked an excellent finish past a bemused Hempnall keeper who wondered where that came from.

He then made a very good save from the Scole number 9, though Hempnall came back again, another surging run from Herbert saw the Scole keeper make a good save at his feet.

1-4 half time

The second half saw Scole come out fighting, and Swatman had to be quick to smother a low shot, but Hempnall got into their stride, the midfield were looking exceptionally good, ably assisted by the two wing backs, Kelly and Goldie.

Another surging run saw Herbert dribble the ball past the diving keeper to slip the ball in at the far post for 1-5 – the player was having a field day.

Hempnall were now in total control, Scole were simply outplayed, and a good cross saw, you’ve guessed it, Herbert, head goalward, the keeper making a good save.

Scole weren’t finished, and a breakaway saw a shot well saved by Swatman with his feet.

Scole attacked a bit more, a corner saw Hartford again punch clear.

Hempnall went to the other end, and another cross shot saw the Hempnall number 10 just fail to get to the ball at the far post.

Hempnall’s next goal, their sixth, came from a skimming shot from Orford, which the keeper could only palm in.

Some excellent work again by the unstoppable Etherington saw the even more unstoppable Herbert guide another excellent finish into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance for Hempnall’s seventh.

Still though, Scole were resisting, and another attack saw their forward put a header wide, the ball went to the other end, with Hempnall players taking pot shots, none went in until Herbert again took control and buried his fifth, and Hempnall’s eighth.

Hempnall did them go to sleep a little, and Scole mounted a very good attack which resulted in a good finish to beat Swatman.

Then Etherington finished well ( number 9), then the ever hardworking Womack scored his second (number 10), before Herbert buried another for his double hat-trick and Hempnall’s eleventh.

The Scole keeper then pulled off a very good save to deny a Rees header, before Jillings scored with a fine header to secure a 12-2 victory.

Whilst there were a few minor blemishes in the Hempnall performance, this was an excellent effort from a very good set of players who seem to be enjoying life this season under the management of Kelly and Jillings, ably assisted by Nathan Arbon the matchday manager.

I was extremely impressed with the Scole team’s attitude – the scoreline flattered Hempnall who were clearly the better team, but never did the game get tetchy, testament to Scole’s excellent manager.

There were some excellent performances this week, the effort was superb, but I witnessed what I consider to be the best individual performance seen in a Hempnall shirt for several seasons, that of Jack Herbert who is a clear Man of the Match.