Hempnall FC

Hempnall came into this match against bottom placed Foulsham knowing that a win would give them real impetus to start climbing the table towards safety after the previous week's good point against Aylsham.

A wet pitch meant the game was in doubt almost until the referee blew his whistle to start the game, but the pitch held out well, and with the rain becoming lighter, the game was no longer at risk.

The wind, rain and wet pitch were always likely to play a big part in the match, and so it proved.

Hempnall fielded a side that looked capable of securing the victory, but the wind favoured the away team in the first half, and Hempnall were finding it difficult to cope with the speed of the wind assisted Foulsham attack.

It couldn't have started worse for the home side as the wet conditions saw the ball slip out of the keeper's grasp and the Foulsham forward was happy to kick the ball into the empty net.

Hempnall didn't look at their best, but their persistence saw the Foulsham defence under pressure, so much so that they conceded an own goal to level the scores.

However, Foulsham decided to give it a real go, and looked very good going forward, and they scored a third after a wonder strike from all of 30 yards smashed against the Hempnall bar, the ball bounced back out, and the subsequent ping-pong led to a third goal for Foulsham as the Hempnall defence failed to clear.

Just before half time, after a few half chances from both sides, Lambe, who looks so much more comfortable up front, looked odds on to score from one of his mazy runs, but the shot curled outside the post.

Hempnall went into the break 1-3 down, and the mood of the team and supporters matched the weather.

However, the second half was a different story. With the club photographer also doubling as provider of the after match sandwiches, he was unavailable for a few minutes preparing the food table, leaving the Club President in charge of photo taking.

Much to his dismay, the senior photographer returned to find that his protege was clearly in holiday mode, thinking of other things.....he decided to miss the superb free-kick just into the second half by Nobbs, which nestled into the corner of the net to bring Hempnall back into the game.

From there, Hempnall looked so much stronger, making good use of the wind, seemingly keeping their feet better than they did on the slippery surface in the first half, and generally looking a far better team.

Efforts from Mulley, Kelly and Nobbs all made the keeper work, and it wasn't until the 65^th minute that Mulley surged past the Foulsham defence to finish in fine style for 3-3.

This was followed by another effort from the same player, then Kelly shot from an angle, the ball just swerving past the upright. Lambe then had another unsuccessful effort, before Mulley headed home in fine style to give Hempnall the lead for the first time in the match.

More efforts went close from Hempnall and we hoped it was all over, but a few minutes before the end, a poor touch led to a Foulsham player claiming the ball and striking the ball from all of 30 yards, the ball dipping over the keeper to give Foulsham the draw – on balance of play, probably not an unfair result, though Hempnall can be pleased with the way they fought to get back into the game.

The opposition player that caught my eye was Ben Darby. Surely he could play at a higher standard, but isn't it great to see a player remain loyal to a club? A good player, always a thorn in the side of the Hempnall defence and perhaps the Foulsham player that looked most dangerous throughout.