Hempnall FC

The first team treated us to an exciting game against mid-table Aylsham, a very decent team in our Division. We knew it would be a tough match, and it was important for the team to show they had regained composure following three defeats, two of which were Cup matches.

Back to full strength, it seemed to us on the sidelines that the team started rather nervously, and it was no surprise when Hempnall went 0-1 down in the opening few minutes.

From there though, Hempnall grew into the match, and a splendid headed finish by the centre forward, Tom McCarthy, made it 1-1, and a few minutes later, he beat the goalkeeper to the ball to again head home for 2-1, both headers were in the style of a young Grant Holt.

Hempnall were now clearly on top, and a totally different team to the one we had witnessed in the recent defeats. Billy Kelly was making mazy runs at the defence, the right winger, Jamie Etherington was also causing big problems for the Aylsham right back, and the midfield and defence were looking solid, well marshalled by the player manager.

It was not long before McCarthy again caused trouble and beat the Aylsham defender to the ball, though was injured in the tackle, resulting in a penalty and the sending-off of the defender.

Fortunately, not only was our own GP on the sidelines, Aylsham have a paramedic in their team, and his excellent handling of the situation caused some relief, and at the end of his assessment, it was not thought the injury was as severe as first feared. Best wishes to Tom, we hope you will be back soon.

With Aylsham down to 10 men, we thought Hempnall might run away with it, but it didn't prove to be the case, and on more than one occasion, only excellent saves from the Hempnall keeper, and interventions by, in particular Charlie Lambe, Etherington and Dimsey kept the score at 3-1.

Then after some really good work, Hempnall went further ahead with a superb finish by Sam Browne, missed by the cameraman as he was otherwise engaged preparing the post-match hospitality food. The assistant cameraman, our illustrious Chairman, also decided to miss the goal, as he was washing tea-cups, one of his many and varied important jobs at Hempnall FC.

In the meantime, Aylsham were the epitome of a 'never say die' team, by ensuring the Bungay Road Faithful were kept on their toes by coming back to 4-3.

The Chairman, still on temporary photographic duties, was up with play for Hempnall's fifth from Kelly, just as the senior photographer returned to the fold, aghast that his protégé had missed the fourth.

With the defibrillator at the ready just in case one of the BRF did succumb to the pressure of watching their team, Hempnall did manage to secure the game with a fifth from Kelly, much to the relief of the BRF, and at the death (of the match), de-fib not required on this occasion, a sixth was hammered home by Morley following another first class run from Etherington.