Owls short of strike power

Hempnall 3, Holt 0

With no regular strikers available Holt were forced to select defenders and brothers David and Steven Thompson up front. With keeper Justyn Goff also missing Matthew Raven was called up for his second appearance of the season.

The visitors very nearly took the lead following good work by Steven Thompson, his brother's shot was blocked on the line by Cudden.

A mistake at the back allowed Hempnall a great chance to take the lead but, facing an open goal, a home attacker put the ball wide.

On 15minutes a shot from Jason Hawkins flew just wide. Then a cross from Matthew Sanders found Luke Williamson whose header was cleared for a corner.

Not for the first time this season Holt conceded a goal just before the half-time whistle. Slow to react to a throw in, allowed a cross to be put in, from which Hempnall's striker headed them in front.

An early strike in the second half from David Thompson looked to be goal-bound but a home defender's leg diverted it for a corner which came to nothing.

With 55 minutes gone a mix-up in the Holt defence saw Raven bring down a home player. From the resulting spot kick Hempnall went two up.

Martin Folds replaced Sanders as Holt set about getting back into the game. They should have pulled a goal back on 60 minutes when Steven Thompson, after a great run, found an unmarked Williamson but he delayed his shot and Cudden cleared the danger.

With James Medlar and Gavin Neale playing superbly, and driving the team on, they continued to push forward but with legs tiring they left gaps from which Hempnall broke and sealed the win with a third goal.

Holt brought on 16-year-olds Jamie Crimson and Tom Wharton for another taste of senior football.

Despite this bad run of results the team must still keep believing in themselves, starting tomorrow night, when they are away to Wroxham (7.30pm).