HEMPNALL felt some what unfortunate to not at least have a replay out of this Norfolk Senior Cup tie against Loddon.They edged proceedings, particularly in the second half.

HEMPNALL felt some what unfortunate to not at least have a replay out of this Norfolk Senior Cup tie against Loddon.

They edged proceedings, particularly in the second half. But if you don't score whilst in the ascendency then you are likely to get punished and Loddon's 89th minute winner did exactly that.

Defenders Addison and Brown plus the versatile Solley were still nursing injuries and failed to recover but Sam Wenham returned. This left an opportunity for 16-year-old Ben Nichols to make his First team debut at the heart of the defence and he made no mistake in taking the opportunity, proving what an exciting prospect he is.

A reshuffle of plans was needed when Teacher BP was held up by his pupils!

So Ben Cussens slotted into the centre of midfield for his first start of the season. Considering the match was a local derby with Carrow Road as an end prize, the game had a relatively calm feeling about it with neither team fired up but some good football was played nevertheless.

For us Downs and the returned to form Halliwell were working some nice moves down the right and Browny used his pace to good effect. The best opportunity of the half fell to Loddon when the Hempnall defence failed to deal with a through ball and as Cudden rushed out to intercept, the visiting striker dropped his chip shot on to the top of the bar.

The second half livened up when a good turn from Brown in the box gave him time to slot past Collins. Thus followed our dominant and best period of the game when at one point four corners on the bounce were obtained but a mixture of poor finishing and resolute defending kept Hempnall at bay and the second potentially killer goal could not be found.

Loddon then equalised when for the second week running a moment of hesitancy in our ranks left enough time and space for Majoreebanks to strike a dipping half volley which gave Cudden no chance.

Hempnall were edging the game and were on our way to extra time but it was not to be when in the 89th minute a Loddon striker broke through, rounded Cudden and slotted into an empty net.

A disappointment in result but not performance. Ben Nichols secured Man of the Match which was deserved for the way in which he took his opportunity.