HEMPNALL'S first and A-team games were the victims of very wet pitches leaving only the reserves with a game. At Thetford Rovers and on a very good pitch Hempnall Reserves were looking, on paper, a very good team, adding a few players who have not had a game of late.

HEMPNALL'S first and A-team games were the victims of very wet pitches leaving only the reserves with a game.

At Thetford Rovers and on a very good pitch Hempnall Reserves were looking, on paper, a very good team, adding a few players who have not had a game of late.

Sixteen-year-old Sam Page was given his debut. With the slope in their favour Hempnall started the stronger side and were unlucky not to score early on but Thetford were a good side defensively.

Hempnall were the first to score and it was debut boy Sam Page who found space at the far post to score a well-taken goal.

The game was marred by a serious injury to a Thetford player who was hospitalised during the first half.

Kicking up the slope in the second half Hempnall found it more difficult to get the ball forward and soon found Thetford equalising and soon after they went ahead.

A serious injury to Rob Connelley didn't help Hempnall's cause and later in the half they fell further behind to lose 3-1.

Probably the scoreline flattered Thetford a little as Hempnall did have some very good chances to have had at least a draw from the game. It was good to see referee Kevin Wingfield handle a sometimes difficult game with some very sensible refereeing.

The club injury crisis is not exactly improving with both Rob Connelley and Barry Allard now out with long-term injuries.