Hempnall FC

Hempnall met SWFC Lingwood for the third time this season, looking to avenge their two defeats.

On a true but fairly bumpy surface not having seen rain for a month, the ball was always going to bounce excessively, and this contributed to a bad Hempnall start. Lapses in concentration and unlucky deflections saw the opposition snatch two early goals.

Hempnall could have rolled over, but instead, with the wind at their backs, were playing some decent football, but it was often the final ball or final decision that let them down.

With the opposition playing the long ball game, the Hempnall defence were caught out once or twice but Swatman was there to mop up.

Hempnall looked the more likely to score, and Billy Kelly had an excellent run, his cross shot eluded the keeper but was rolling wide before Herbert slid the ball home. Herbert was adjudged to have been offside, so the score remained at 0-2.

Swatman then had to be alert to push a shot over the bar, but no further close calls saw the score stay at 0-2 at half time.

The second half saw Hempnall improve, the Hempnall midfield was dominating, and both Etherington and New were looking exceptionally dangerous. Billy Kelly was showing his class marauding along the left wing, and Hempnall surely had to score the next goal? Well, so we thought on the sidelines.

One of the forward runs of Etherington saw him brought down at the edge of the opposition area though the free kick was hit just over the bar by Gent.

A Hempnall goal now looked very likely, but at the other end, Swatman was having to be at his best to keep Hempnall’s hopes alive with a couple of good saves.

With Shaun Kelly, still not 100% fit, being substituted, Lake stepped in to fill the centre back position, and he was playing some excellent balls into the channels – surely a Hempnall goal was likely.

Billy Kelly played in a couple of excellent corners, but the finishing touches eluded Hempnall, and frustration was growing, with the opposition playing the long ball out, and one of their forays forward saw a tackle adjudged as a foul, and the opposition player stepped up to launch an unstoppable free kick into the top corner for 0-3.

Hempnall then really came alive, further corners and excellent attacking play saw the opposition defence somehow survive.

At the other end, Lingwood still posed a danger, and again Swatman pulled off a couple of good stops.

With a few minutes to go, Gent saw a close range effort straight at the keeper, but Hempnall were finally rewarded when Etherington outpaced the opposition defence and finished beautifully for 1-3.

Still Hempnall pressurised, but couldn’t manage another goal.

How Hempnall managed to let this game go is difficult to understand. They played most of the good football but were let down by the odd bad decision both defensively and in attack, but should have come away with at least a draw. 

There were a few decent performances today, but my personal MOM was Billy Kelly.