Hempnall FC

Hempnall met old rivals CEYMS Reserves to try and repeat their fine recent home performances, and dent CEYMS unbeaten record since November.

With a good squad missing only a couple of regulars, Hempnall started on the front foot, looking secure at the back, and mobile up front, and after 10 minutes found themselves 2 up, with Etherington producing an excellent one on one finish to slot the ball past the keeper, then a clear foul in the area saw Gent step up to fire an excellent penalty into the corner of the net.

From there though, Hempnall went to sleep somewhat, and though the opposition had some mobile and skilful players, Hempnall conspired to assist them by not clearing a ball that should have been cleared, and a penalty box scramble saw CEYMS pull one back.

Hempnall were playing some good football and still the hard running Etherington and New up front were causing issues, and Hempnall were looking dangerous when going forwards. They were, though, finding it difficult to bring their star player of recent weeks, Herbert, playing in an unaccustomed right wing position, into the game. 

Despite their excellence going forward, and despite the defence looking generally secure, Hempnall were vulnerable to lapses, and keeper Swatman had to make a fine save against a cross which was somehow heading for the top corner.

The inevitable happened though, and Swatman made an uncharacteristic error, not despatching the ball into the stands, and the opposition forward scored to make it 2-2.

The second half saw a similar pattern, and another Swatman, normally so secure, gift another goal, his two mistakes for the season coming in the same game – 2-3.

Hempnall weren’t discouraged though, and their continued attacks were at last rewarded when Etherington headed in for 3-3.

Again though, despite looking the better team, most likely to go on and win, Hempnall again went to sleep, allowing CEYMS to nick another goal for 3-4.

Hempnall came close on several occasions after, but couldn’t score their fourth.

This game was the classic case of handing victory to the opposition, both uncharacteristic individual mistakes and team lapses led to CEYMS gaining a victory that was, in playing terms, undeserved but they took their chances and well done to them.

There were again some decent performances, nobody stood out so this week, no man of the match.