Under 12's

Sunday 28th March : Kirkley and Pakefield A v Hempnall

Hempnall visited Kirkley to play Kirkley & Pakefield A in the league. Kirkley were one position above Hempnall but on the same points with games in hand. Hempnall made the brighter start with Oli making a fine run down the right only to see his shot fumbled by the keeper and Callum hitting the rebound passed the post. Again Oli outpaced the Kirkley defence before being closed down as he went to shoot. Hempnall kept up the pressure with Connor hitting a 30 yard pass over the defence to Callum who shot over the bar. Hempnall finally took the lead after 25 minutes. Again Oli hassled the home defence into a mistake and Harry G shot into the left corner of the net. Kirkley had their first attempt at goal after 30 minutes with a hopeful 30 yard shot that went wide of the goal. Back came Hempnall with Dan shooting passed the right post. Hempnall increased their lead after 35 minutes when Ben chased a lost cause only to be rewarded when the keeper spilt the ball to allow Ben an easy tap in. In the final minute of the half Oli chased another lost cause which he won and passed to Thomas whose shot was charged down. The rebound fell to Harry G to shot into the keepers arms.In the second half Kirkley came more into the game but received little change from Ethan and Rhys at the heart of the defence and both full backs Sam and Connor were solid on the flanks putting in some strong telling tackles. The match was wrapped up for Hempnall in the 75 minute when Oli headed a splendid goal from a Dan corner. There was still time for Kirkley to make a late rally but were denied by two fine saves from keeper Joel, the latter when he managed to hold onto the ball from under his crossbar. This ensured a clean sheet and three well deserved points that moves Hempnall above Kirkley in the fight for survival.

Final Score : Kirkley & Pakefield A 0 Hempnall 3

Sunday 21st March : Blundeston Magpies v Hempnall

Hempnall travelled to Lound to play Blundeston Magpies knowing that they needed points from their remaining three fixtures to avoid relegation. Hempnall attacked from the start with Sam thumping a shot from 25 yards that the Blundeston keeper caught under the bar. Ben began a fine flowing move to Dan on to Callum who shot across the goal. Ben retrieved the ball and laid it back to Connor to set up Thomas who hit a shot from 25 yards that whizzed over the bar. Connor put in a great tackle to prevent a Blundeston attack. Then from a Blundeston corner the ball was played out to Harry and on to Oli who ran 50 yards with the ball well into the Blundeston half before Callum’s shot was saved by the keeper. A few minutes later Callum had another chance but his shot went narrowly wide. Back came Blundeston to shoot into the side netting to end the half all square. Straight from the kick off Dan was unlucky to see his net buster strike a defender as it headed goal wards. Blundeston began to force Hempnall back into their own penalty area but Ethan and Rhys were coping with the Blundston attack until a shot went narrowly passed the post. Thomas temporarily relieved the pressure with another 30 yard shot that the keeper saved and then Harry lobbed a ball over the defence for Oli to shoot narrowly wide. In the 70 minute keeper Joel was forced to make a good save and then an excellent tackle from Sam prevented another attack. Keeper Brooks then saved well with his feet before a long throw in from the left evaded everyone for an easy tap in for the Blundeston forward. Keeper Joel was then required to make a one handed save low to his left that even drew applause from the Blundeston supporters. It inspired Hempnall to dig deep to go forward for an equaliser. Callum had a shot kicked off the line and from Dan’s corner Blundeston just managed to clear their lines. With time running out Rhys moved forward with the ball before playing a superb 30 Yard through ball to Callum. Callum’s shot was blocked by the keeper but Ben was on hand to fire the rebound home. With five minutes remaining the ball was played out wide to Callum whose cross was met by Oli Newson to head firmly passed the keeper . There was just time for Oli to hit another goal again from Callum’s cross only to be ruled out for offside. Thomas was justifably given Man of the Match but this was a fantastic team performance by all.

Sunday 7th March 2010 : Hempnall v Gorleston Rangers A

Hempnall played Gorleston Rangers A on Sunday in the league. Hempnall started brightly with Dan dribbling round the defence before shooting wide. Harry B then forced a save from the keeper. Against the run of play Gorleston were awarded a free kick just outside the box and from this the ball seemed to go through a ruck of players into the net. Straight from the kick off Hempnall almost equalised when Rhys's shot was saved on the line following Dan’s corner. Ben was playing well on the right and from his pass into the box Callum fired over. Then Ben raced 40 Yards into the Gorleston half before being dispossessed. Hempnall were playing good football against Gorleston’s route one over the top approach. Dan headed a free kick under pressure for a Gorleston corner. The Gorleston management then made a substitution so the player could take the kick. The ball seemed to hit the inside of the post and into keeper Joel’s arms. The referee judged all the ball had crossed the line and the scorer was then immediately substituted again. In the second half Hempnall continued to take the game to Gorleston whose defence were panicky under pressure. In the 65 minute Callum was taken out of the game through a thigh high tackle that saw the Gorleston player shown a yellow card and lucky to stay on the field. From the kick Dan almost scored with a 30 yard shot that saw the keeper twist to palm it over the bar. The referee then gave Gorleston a penalty and they increased their lead with a good goal from 25 yards to make it 4-0. Then another Gorleston player was booked for a chest high tackle on keeper Brooks when the ball was safely in his hands. Gorleston scored a goal late on that rather flattered them.
Final Score : Hempnall 0 Gorleston Rangers A 5

Sunday 14th February 2010 : Hempnall v St Benet’s A

After the euphoria of last Sunday’s win in the semi final of the league cup Hempnall were generally very poor when they entertained St Benet’s A in the league. The team missed the dominate presence of Ethan in defence and could have found themselves several goals done at the break. Instead they were rather unlucky to concede a goal with the last kick of the half. In the second half there was a slight improvement by the team which limited St Benet’s to a few half chances but there was not enough strength in attack. The St Benet’s keeper was not required to make one save and Hempnall were unable to force one corner in the match. That said without the juggling of players in unfamiliar positions to fill in for Ethan would probably have taken some points from the game. On the day St Benet’s were the better side and deserved their win.
Final Score : Hempnall U12 0 St Benets A 1

Sunday 7th February 2010 : Hempnall v Gorleston Rangers A

Hempnall entertained Gorleston Rangers A in the semi final of the League Cup. Gorleston are currently top of Division 1 and had beaten Hempnall 8-1 in October however this was a very different Hempnall team performance to produce the shock of the round. Hempnall began brightly with Dan having the first shot on target comfortably saved by the keeper. Gorleston began to find a way behind the Hempnall defence on the right and should have taken the lead after 10 minutes but shot wide. Gorleston did take the lead two minutes later when the ball was only half cleared allowing the forward to smash the ball passed keeper Joel. Hempnall were rocked by the goal and keeper Brooks had to make another smart save to prevent Gorleston increasing their lead. Hempnall began to play some good passing football which was causing panic in the Gorleston defence and it was Dan’s run past two defenders that lead to the equaliser. His shot was parried out to Harry B to fire home his second goal in two games. Hempnall were now well on top and when Callum was fouled just outside the box Dan forced the keeper to make a fine save at his near post. In the second half Hempnall played against the wind. Rhys and Ethan at the heart of the defence were keeping the two forwards quiet allowing Harry G and Dan to dominate the midfield. It was another battling run by Dan that lead to the decisive winning goal. His pass found Ben in space on the right wing. Ben slipped his marker before smashing in an unstoppable shot from 15 yards. Sam and Connor were also solid in defence. As Gorleston battled in the final 15 minutes to find an equaliser everyone on the Hempnall team defended doggedly and it was left to keeper Brooks to smother the ball in injury time following a melee in the box to ensure that Hempnall go through to the final at Gorleston’s Emerald Park.
Final Score : Hempnall 2 Gorleston Rangers A 1

Sunday 24th January : Hempnall v Kirkley & Pakefield A

Hempnall travelled to Lowestoft on Sunday to play Kirkley & Pakefield A in the quarter final of the League Cup. Hempnall played Harry B up front with Ben switching back to his favoured right wing position. On the left flank Callum was putting in some telling crosses and it was no surprise when Hempnall took the lead after ten minutes. After good work between Callum and Ben the ball was fed through to Dan who beat two defenders and then calmly slotted the ball passed the keeper. Harry G fired in a shot from 30 yards that just cleared the bar and then Callum linked up with Oli for Harry B to fire in Hempnall’s second from close range. It was against the run of play that Kirkley & Pakefield scored a well taken goal on 35 minutes. Back came Hempnall with Dan crashing a 25 shot against the bar. In the second half Hempnall had to sustain early pressure without troubling the keeper and then took control of the game again. Following a series of corners Rhys forced the ball home to make it 3-1 and Callum sealed Hempnall’s passage into the semi final with a tremendous shot from 30 yards that gave the keeper no chance. Ethan, Sam, Rhys and Connor remained solid at the back and it was only the last five minutes that Keeper Joel had to make two superb saves to keep the home team at bay. This was a tremendous team performance cementing the fine work of the previous week.
Final Score : Kirkley & Pakefield A 1 Hempnall 4

Sunday 17th January 2010 : St Benets v Hempnall

Hempnall played their first game for several weeks away to St Benets who were unbeaten in the league. The pitch was in excellent condition and for once the weather was ideal. Hempnall attacked from the start forcing their opponents to defend for the first twenty minutes and it was against the run of play that Hempnall conceded an own goal from a corner. Callum and Dan combined well to force the keeper into a save and then St Benet’ broke away and despite a fine save from keeper Joel the ball fell kindly for the St Benet’s forward to make it 2-0. The second half mirrored the first with Hempnall taking the game to St Benet’s and again the Callum/Dan combination forced a save. From the corner the keeper had to tip Dan’s cross over the bar. In the final ten minutes there was a really good shout for a penalty when Callum was upended that was not given and Joel made another fine save, virtually the only time he touched the ball in the half. Hempnall lacked a little penetration up front but were certainly St Benet’s equal on the day.
Final Score : St Benet’s 2 Hempnall 0

Sunday 13th December 2009 : Hempnall v Waveney
Hempnall U12 entertained Waveney Youth on Sunday narrowly losing 1-0 in a very close contest again played in wind and rain. Playing against the wind Hempnall more than matched their opponents without creating many chances. Connor was drafted in at right back and played solidly throughout. Hempnall also welcomed back Callum from injury and it was his bursting runs down the left that began to trouble the Waveney defence. Rhys and Ethan were very excellent at the back against a lively Waveney attack and Harry G and Dan were dominant in midfield. It was therefore against the run of play that Waveney opened the scoring after 25 minutes with their first scoring opportunity. The Waveney forward beating keeper Joel from a tight angle. Hempnall continued to push forward without troubling the Waveney keeper and it was a double save from Joel that kept Hempnall in the game on the stroke of half time. In the second half Hempnall almost equalised when Callum was put through by Sam forcing a good save from the keeper. The ball spiralled in the air without a Hempnall forward being close enough to nod into an empty net. Once again Hempnall more than matched their opponents but were beaten because Waveney took one of their two chances and Hempnall could not convert the only chance that came their way.
Final Score : Hempnall 0 Waveney Youth 1

Sunday 6th December 2009 : Gorleston FC v Hempnall

Hempnall U12 secured their second away win of the season on Sunday when they travelled to Gorleston FC. Hempnall decided to play against a strong wind and driving rain in the first half. It took 15 minutes before they were able to get the ball into the Gorleston penalty area when Ben almost reached a through ball. Hempnall began to dominate play with some neat football and as Gorleston struggled to clear their lines Dan lobbed the ball over the keeper into the net. With the rain driving into their faces Hempnall continued to dominate and Dan added a second just on half time having been put through by Harry G. Hempnall added a third straight from the kick off when Dan fired home from 25 yards securing a well deserved hat trick. The wind and rain then completely died away taking the advantage from Hempnall who then conceded two late goals but overall deserved their win created by the fantastic team display in the first half against the elements.
Final Score : Gorleston 2 Hempnall 3

Sunday 29th November 2009 : Hempnall v Caister

When Hempnall travelled to Caister on the first day of the season they left feeling hard done by but they had little complaints on Sunday. Played again in driving wind and rain Caister were two nil up in the first two minutes through defensive mistakes at the back. A splendid free kick from 25 yards that curled into the top left hand corner increased Caister’s lead after 10 minutes. Hempnall without the injured Callum were finding it hard to muster any attacks and a fine 40 yard run from midfield through the Hempnall defence finishing with a fine chip over the keeper increased Caister’s lead after 25 minutes. In the second half Ben jinked round the keeper only to hit the side netting was the only noteable effort for Hempnall. Caister increased their lead from a corner and almost added a sixth but for two goal line clearances from Sam and a fine save from Joel. Caister were by far the best team on the day although this was the poorest team performance from Hempnall for several seasons.
Final Score : Hempnall 0 Caister 5

Sunday 22nd November 2009 : St Benets v Hempnall

Hempnall travelled to St Benets in the 2nd round of the League Cup. From the start Hempnall attacked the home defence despite playing against the slope and a strong wind and were rewarded on 10 minutes when Oli ran through the defence to slot the ball passed the advancing keeper. Hempnall continued to apply the pressure and increased their lead on 15 minutes when Callum out paced the defence and his cross forced the defender to put through his own goal. A fine move from Connor on to Harry G set up a chance for Ben but his shot was saved by the keeper. Hempnall continued to pass the ball around in the second half. Thomas replaced Callum and his fine run almost led to a tap in from Dan. Dan then fired in a 25 shot that went narrowly wide. However Hempnall soon increased their led following a corner from Dan, the ball fell for Ethan to hit a 20 yard shot that was too strong for the keeper and Oli was on hand to score his second. Rhys then broke up a St Benets attack and moved up field with the ball before playing a terrific 30 yard pass to Tom to race in on goal. Despite the keeper saving his shot with his legs the ball fell to Dan to hammer the ball into the net from 25 yards. Rhys then broke from defence again to slot a 35 yard pass through the defence to Oli who was on his hat trick. Oli hit his shot against the keeper’s legs but was not in any mood to miss the rebound smashing the ball into the net to cap a fine display and his first hat trick for the club. There was just time for Ethan to make a splendid defensive header from a St Benet’s corner to keep a clean sheet for Hempnall. This was a fine team performance with Hempnall deserving to go through to the next round of the cup.
Final Score : St Benet’s 0 Hempnall 5

Sunday 15th November 2009 : Hempnall v Blundeston Magpies

Hempnall started the more brightly in the early stages of their home game with Blundeston Magpies but gradually Blundeston came into the match with home keeper Joel confidently dealing with the first corner of the game. After a ten minute spell of pressure Blundeston opened the scoring after good work by their winger. The game then seemed to go flat with neither team creating many chances until right on the stroke of half time Joel was called to make an excellent save when the Blundeston forward was put through on goal. In the second half Hempnall put Blundeston under immediate pressure and fine link up play from Dan lead to Callum firing a shot just passed the post. Hempnall continued to press but it was Blundeston who increased their lead against the run of play. Hempnall were playing some good football passing the ball around and Callum nearly scored with a right footed shot that again just curled round the post with the keeper beaten. This was an evenly fought contest between two good footballing teams. Blundeston were solid and well organised in defence. Blundeston came out on top because they took their chances.
Final Score : Hempnall 0 Blundeston Magpies 2

Sunday 8th November 2009 : Waveney v Hempnall

Hempnall travelled to Oulton Broad to play Waveney in a Division 1 League match and came away with a well earned three points. Hempnall welcomed back Dan who had missed the last four weeks through injury and it was Dan who opened the scoring after 12 minutes. Callum received the ball down the left beating two defenders before sliding the ball across the keeper for Dan to scramble into the net. Hempnall had dealt well with several in swinging corners but failed to hang on to their lead when Waveney were allowed to run through to equalise. Back came Hempnall with Oli running through the defence from midfield only to be thwarted at the last moment as he looked odds on to score. Dan was again played through the Waveney defence and this time he coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give Hempnall a halftime lead. In the second half with the slope Waveney exerted more pressure on the Hempnall defence leading to several good saves from keeper Joel. Just as Hempnall thought they had weathered the storm Waveney ran through the defence to equalise. However Hempnall restored their lead from the kick off when the ball was played wide to Callum who then passed it through the defence to Ben who beat the advancing keeper to the ball leaving him with a simple tap in. Ethan played extremely well in defence.
Final Score : Waveney 2 Hempnall 3