Hempnall FC

Hempnall Reserves fifth fixture of the season saw us away to Poringland Reserves.
With our fearless leader Matt Oakley away getting drunk at a wedding, the managment fell to Nick Talbot and Oli Pointer.
With no points as yet on the board we came up with a strong game plan and had a long team talk prior to the game.
Now it was time to implement this plan... the first half saw Hempnall playing down hill and with the wind behind us but were somehow unable to take full advantage of this with every attack being foiled by their goal keeper or trigger happy linesman.
Poringland were also on the attack but could not break our defence with our full backs Harry Bridges and Ryan Mortimer chasing every ball and our centre backs Oli Pointer and Andy Talbot stopping everything else.

Poringland did manage to have several good attempts on target only to be saved by our in form goalkeeper Ali Harvey.
A strong partnership was being formed by the two midfielders Alex Bullard and Dec Leigh. Alex was winning everything in the air while Dec managed to get his foot on everything possible and playing some lovely balls through.
Half time saw no goals scored but either team could have had 3 or more.

With no changes made at the break now saw Poringland have the advantage of the slope...
Poringland were now on the attack... it seemed like Hempnall had 11 defenders on the pitch as everything Poringland tried wouldn't go in.
The game plan was still on, every player had taken on board what was said before the game and at half time. Now we were on the attack!
With a great build up and after a few unlucky attempts Keaton Glover finally found the back of the net - everyone went ecstatic!
This was now end to end stuff and good football being played by both teams.
Tommy 'Trigger' Leeder wasn't going to be outdone by his fellow striker and scored a screamer. 2-0 Hempnall - both goals being set up by left midfielder Shaun Kelly showing how badly he wanted to win this game...
Poringland now push every player forwards. Hempnall were still battling hard but were looking tired.
With over 70 minutes played a double substitution was made, after an outstanding shift at right midfield Matt Chapman came off for Dan Millican and Tommy 'Trigger' Leeder was replaced by Paul Edwards.
Dan now injected new life down the right side of the pitch and Paul dropped into midfield to strengthen us leaving Keaton as our only striker.
This didn't stop us from attacking and we were really unlucky not to get a 3rd goal in the dying minutes of the game!

A tremendous effort by all 13 players and a well deserved win that would make missing manager Matt Oakley very proud of.
Oli Pointer was a great addition to the team bringing much needed talk (most of it was garbage but seemed to work!) and captain Andy Talbot inspired everyone with his strength and determination.
Man of the match could have gone to anyone but had to go to Ryan Mortimer at right back as he gave every ounce of energy he had.
A great team performance and finally points on the board...

Nick Talbot