Hempnall exit cup

HEMPNALL were knocked out of the Mummery Cup by Corton 4-0.Hempnall were again without key defenders Downs, Brown and Addison plus influential midfielders Player and Lydka.

HEMPNALL were knocked out of the Mummery Cup by Corton 4-0.

Hempnall were again without key defenders Downs, Brown and Addison plus influential midfielders Player and Lydka. The long-term absentees Way, Allard and Mironczvk are still on the road to recovery so the squad was fully tested.

However, this was no excuse for what followed as a well-organised, strong and determined Corton side took full advantage of a lacklustre performance to take a well-deserved victory and progress to the next round.

The rot started when the normally reliable Cudden rushed off his line to meet an incoming striker just inside the penalty area. The resulting spot kick was dispatched.

With 15 minutes until half-time Hempnall had their best period of co-ordinated play which culminated in an equaliser when a Dave Norman free-kick was met by a soaring Steve Barnes.

Despite the half-time talk Hempnall continued to splutter with no real pattern of play.

Subs Flint, Cawston and the returning Cussons were all introduced but it couldn't stop the promotion-chasing Corton securing a thoroughly deserved victory as they added three more goals. The only promising aspect of the day was the return of fitness to joint manager Franklin who secured Hempnall's man of the match.