Hempnall FC

The Reserves kicked off the season with a trip to the coast to play Corton Seltic under new management of Matthew Oakley and his assistant Nick Talbot.
With many players missing either away or injured a squad of 14 was still managed to be put together. Giving competitive debuts to Shaun Kelly, Dan Calver, Dan Craske, Harry Bridges and Gary Knott. Also returning to the club was brothers Andy and Nick Talbot.
The game started pretty evenly with both sides managing to get into each others box and creating chances. Ali Harvey in goal for Hempnall made some early crucial saves to keep Corton at bay, while at the other end a nice move down the left by Shaun Kelly found a cross fall at the feet of Ryan Mortimer only for him to see the ball narrowly miss the post.
On the half hour mark Corton took the lead when from a corner the ball unfortunately came off Harry Bridges head and find its way into the net for an own goal. Then only 3 minutes later the home side found themselves 2 up when a deep cross was parried at full stretch by Ali Harvey into the path of an attacker and after a bit of a scramble managed to get the ball home.
The rest of the half was end to end stuff with some quite physical tackles being made by both sides.
Half time team talk was made and tried to build on the positives, a slight tactical change to the formation was made to get us back into the game knowing the next goal of the game was crucial.
Second half started brightly for Hempnall and pressure was put on the Corton back line. The wingers were having more success and found more chances being made.
On one attack when last season's Young player of the Year Dan Millican was clean through he was hauled down by a defender just inside the box. A penalty was awarded but to many people's shock the defender was only given a talking to when clearly he was the last man.
Anyway it was down to Andy Talbot from the spot to pull us back into the game. He smashed to ball to the keepers left only to see a fine save. This seemed to spark Corton back into life and they quickly went up the other end and scored on the break to make it 3-0.
At this stage last season the lads heads would of dropped but their new positive mentality started to show and efforts were raised. Nick Talbot ran on to a long ball and managed to nick it from under the keepers nose, just he was about to shoot into an open goal he was tripped by a defender. A bit of confusion then happened as the ref blew his whistle for a foul before Nick bundled the ball into the net. Was it another penalty? A sending off? After a minute of discussions the ref decided to give the goal with no punishment. 3-1.
This seemed to rile both teams with tackles getting harder and a very vocal home support seemed to raise Corton game. They used their physical advantage to good effect meaning Gary Knott and Nick Talbot had to leave the game. Tommy Leeder and Dan Craske where introduced to give fresh legs in a push to find a way back into the game.
Ali Harvey was called into action and pulled off a string of excellent saves. One of which resulted in a corner for Corton which they managed to use their height and head home to make it 4-1.
Still not beaten Hempnall pushed forward
and Tommy Leeder found himself with the ball some 25 yards out and released a screamer of a shot that somehow managed to find its way under the keeper in full dive to make it 4-2. Dan Craske then had a volley from outside the box just tipped over the bar. Late into the game manager Matt Oakley came on and still had time to show off his unbelievable tekka skills down the right wing, bamboozling everyone in his wake. But couldn't manage to create a goal.
Final score was 4-2 to Corton but could of been different if our golden chances were taken. Not a bad first game to the season concidering a lot of new faces have been brought in and it will take time for the side to gel.
MOM was Ali Harvey in goal who is looking more confident with every game.