Hempnall FC

Hempnall met a depleted Corton & Carlton Colville at Bungay Road, expecting a good performance after some decent recent results.

With the squad missing a couple of players, the managers juggled around and left recent top performer Jack Herbert on the bench.

Hempnall were on the front foot from the off, with New coming close but couldn’t bury his shot, but not long after, another chance fell to him which he despatched with ease.

Hempnall were moving easily now, excellent frontrunning from Etherington and New in particular, prompted, in particular, by the excellent Orford and Watts, with Billy Kelly having a field day in the left wing back role, it was no surprise, when, after a number of close calls, Etherington despatched his first, and Hempnall’s second, of the afternoon.

More good play from Hempnall and a great finish by Etherington saw Hempnall ease their lead to 3-0.

Confidence was very high now, and it was only a matter of time before another goal came, this time though Cattermole, for number 4.

Hempnall looked like scoring with every attack, finding the forward runs of the opposition to easily thwart, and setting up their own forward runs with ease.

Hempnall’s fifth came after a great cross found Orford who despatched the ball with ease.

More forward thrust from Hempnall saw Orford on hand to shoot into the bottom corner for number 6.

Lake will still be wondering how his close range effort was kept out, but shortly after, Watts was fouled in the box, a penalty awarded, and up stepped Orford to confidently drive the ball past the keeper into the corner of the net for number 7.

Half time was looming, but Hempnall weren’t finished, and Etherington, having his best game for a while, skilfully finished another move for his second and Hempnall’s eighth. All this before half time.

After a lengthy injury break for Jillings who clashed heads with an opposition player, he had a headed effort clear the bar before the referee blew for half time.

The second half was like the first, with Hempnall dominant throughout.

A corner to Hempnall was headed in by a delighted Billy Kelly for number 9, and having brought on super-subs Herbert and Marjoram, Carlton Colville were still threatened, and it was Herbert who showed why he is competing for player of the year by despatching his effort for number 10. 

Then Marjoram came into the action by confidently stroking the ball home beyond a hapless keeper, for number 11.

Number 12 came from a direct free kick from Jake Gent, number 13 from a deflection by Marjoram from Herbert’s shot, and 14 from the irrepressible and unstoppable Jack Herbert. Number 15 came from a very deserving George Watts.

All in all, an excellent performance though against a below strength opposition, and fair play to them, they kept going and were courteous in defeat.

A word for another good refereeing performance from Mr. Armes.

Man of the match is difficult after such an easy win and a number of eye catching performances, but the players voted Orford their player by a very slim margin over Etherington. I personally thought there were 14 MOMs today.