Hempstead United FC

02/08/2023

Hi Everyone,

Thank you to everyone that has kindly donated so far.
Please, click on the link to see the challenge I am undertaking in September for team Tommy's and if you are able to, please donate what you can.

I will hopefully be able to post the footage of the descent of over 200m as I abseil down the outside of the cheese grater skyscraper!
Thank you

Donate to John's page who is fundraising for Tommy's

31/07/2023

Hi All, in just over 1 month I will be taking part in the first ever skyscraper challenge raising money for Team Tommy's, a charity that has affected us all at some point, either directly or indirectly.
please donate what you can to help me reach my target.

thanks

Donate to John's page who is fundraising for Tommy's

27/02/2023

Match Report: Sunday 26th Feb
Real 60 vs Hempstead United FC
KO: 10:30

Well - mixed weather before the start of the game, but a good warm-up and the return of the rapid rocket-footed Ellis was a good sign for the day. We were a little short of players for the day with only 2 subs and 1 of those was this rather out-of-shape FB writer (oh sh*t).
The game started a little late as the referee seems to think it is ok to literally arrive at the pitch at 10:30 (no pitch inspection then??)

Anyway, aside from that little irritant, the game starts and it seems quite even, some good play from both sides, Real 60 are a decent side as are we so it is pretty even.
Real get the break and get in behind our defence, great finish from their player and 1-0 to them.
However, we didn't let our heads drop and attacked well, getting a few shots in and one shot the keeper spills into the path of Harry and 1-1 (nice one!).
Real 60 weren't going to give up their lead for long and in a few bad minutes, real-60 scored 2 goals very quickly, almost carbon copies.
At this stage, I had to leave to pick up a football-playing 6-year-old and returned for the 2nd half to see an injured captain on the sidelines, with Ethan on the pitch and the score now 5-2.
I observe for a bit, we have Marvin (wasn't expecting him but grateful he showed up) we sub Marvin and instantly Ellis is clear on the far post from a corner and heads in for 5-2. Marvin has a good effect and we are attacking them well, their keeper making some great saves and stopping us from getting back in the game. Real-60 reminded us they were still a threat and had some close chances.

The game finished 5-2 to real, not a great day for Hempstead but we will come back strong next week. The next game is a Semi-Final at Beeching's cross!
No player of the week this week.

27/02/2023

Manager/Player profile.

Name: Ken Harvey aka the gaffer
Age: 59 (had a hard paper round as a kid)
Occupation: London Fire Officer (25 years)
Time with the club: Renamed the club 3 years ago
Pass time: Carp Fishing
Favourite Moment: rebuilding the club to full strength and reaching the semi-final of the junior league cup as well as the first year as Hempstead United and getting promoted.

Ken says: I am proud of the team and the passion they bring. There is a real drive in the team to succeed and they are very motivated which makes my job easier.

Biggest strength: I remain positive even at the low points and drive this team forward.

19/02/2023

Match Report 19th Feb 23.
Hempstead United FC vs The Walnut Tree.
Location: Hempstead Rec. K/O: 10:30

The weather was nice for this clash, both teams home ground is Hempstead Rec and despite this, both teams were low on numbers.

The referee decided to cause some concern by arriving 5 minutes before kick-off.
The team were in good spirits, concerns about low player numbers were dispelled and we had 2 substitutes.
The game started and both teams were taking turns in attacking well - a challenge goes in and Tommy, unfortunately, hits his head on the ground and needs to come off. Thankfully he was ok (not much to damage ;-))
Dave came on as sub and the game continued, the walnut tree getting most of the action in front of goal, some great saves from Liam in goal and some lucky escapes for Hempstead.

In the last 10 mins of the first half, the communication improved and the team went on the attack, a great ball into the box and a GOAL for Hempstead scored by the one and only "Chicken" Dave with a great header.

Half time and Tommy comes back on, the team are expectant and pushing for the result, the second half was even and attacks going in at both ends, Joe put some great balls into the box, WT defended well and cleared the ball.
They scored mid-way through the half, leading to a great end to the game with both teams trying to get that winning goal.
Walnut trees apparent star player got through and squared the ball for a nice tap-in for their striker with the last kick of the game.
A disappointing end to the game for Hempstead United FC, we deserved the draw at least.
Hope the headache has cleared Tommy.

The player of the game is Tommy: for his commitment and wanting to be on the field against all advice.

07/02/2023

Player Profile #2 - Connor

Name: Connor Stickings
Age: Just turned 28 (happy birthday dude)
Occupation: Land Surveyor
Position: Centre Back
Time with the club: 1 year/18 months
Favourite pass time: Away days at Charlton with his old man & long walks
My favourite memory with the club is: First game beating top-of-the-league Fulston (last season) or our long-serving RB Andy's spectacular diving header own goal this season.

Ken the Manager aka "Gaffer" says "Connor is calm, quiet and very focused."

Connor has won player of the match on a few occasions and this season has 2 goals to his name.

05/02/2023

Match Report ***Cup Quarter Final***
Hempstead Utd vs Gillingham Town
Location: Hempstead Rec.

Today we host Gillingham Town in a cup quarter-final – great weather and with Gillingham Town experiencing a tough season so far, the mood in our camp was positive and with 19 players to choose from we could afford to mix things up.
The ref was a bit “OLD” school in his ways, but the game commenced on time.
Gillingham applied pressure straight away and they had a few shots the best chance they had was a free kick due to a handball by Andy on the edge of the penalty area, Andy swears it was his face and not his hand (Cough of course it was Andy, Cough).
The shot was hit well, and Liam got down far to his right well and made a superb save, then dealt with the rebound to halt their attack. After this, we started to get back into the game and were moving the ball around well, looking for the right opportunity.
Harry came off for Matt and as soon as Matt went on, the socks over his socks apparently could get a boot caught in them (really Ref?? What the F***?!?)
Harry comes back on whilst Matt sorts his socks out and ironically, follows in on a long-range shot, the keeper spilt it and Harry scores the first of the game and the easiest goal he’ll score. 1-0!
We then continued to apply more and more pressure, crosses coming in from all angles, and then Tommy gets the ball in space outside of the box and hits a great shot into the corner leaving the keeper no chance 2-0!
Matt and George then got in on the action with a goal each taking us into the half-time break 4-0 up, leading to a very happy and positive camp. Some more changes and we resumed the game, keeping the pressure up, we were given time on the ball and took advantage. There were some beautiful passages of play and there should have been a lot more goals.
The author of this report was able to take to the field replacing the double-scoring George to try and get on the score sheet. We were still attacking strong, and a ball came over, the defence, fortunately, tackled each other and the ball fell to me in a great position…. I shoot and hit the bar! What a MELT!! The changes came thick and fast to ensure everyone got a game, Gillingham had all but given up and the final score was 6-1.
Hempstead is through to the semi-final and we will look to have a strong presence again to try and get through to the final.
We ended with a large presence in the flying saucer pub afterwards to celebrate a good performance.

No player of the match this week - There were a lot of good performances.

01/02/2023

Match Report
Sunday 29th Jan - Hempstead United FC vs Rochester
Location: Hempstead Recreation Ground
K.O 10:30

This was going to be a tough game for Hempstead United FC, after narrowly losing in the first meeting and coming off of a bad loss and a draw that we should have won, we were going against top-of-the-league Rochester.
A slightly depleted from our normal line-up missing 3 regular players but with solid replacements there was no reason to worry.

The game started well, both teams working hard and getting into great attacking positions. Some good work from both teams but little action in front of the goal, then Hempstead United FC attacked in a great move with some quick passing to feet and Matt our top scorer let one go, great shot with power but Rochester's keeper pulled off a great save.
Shortly after, we had a freekick and our seasoned veteran defender went up for a header with the keeper coming for the catch and OUCH!! the keeper's knee caught Chris on the back and ended his match. Chris struggled to walk off the pitch, we brought on a sub and Tommy, (Chris' son) moved into the centre defence role and commanded the defence superbly.

0-0 at halftime.
This was frustrating for the visitors as they expected to walk over us, but the feeling was good in the Hempstead United FC camp despite losing an asset like Chris.
Second half and we didn't give up and after more of the same, some hard challenges and suspect tackles, they started to throw everything at trying to get a goal, a lucky ricochet and they hit the bar (phew) but they left their defence exposed and we had some good chances, their keeper denying Marvin who was through and then a great diving save (with his hands) by their defender to deny Marvin a certain goal that the ref didn't see in the last few minutes.

The game ended 0-0 and was a good result for us holding the top of the league to draw and a bad result for them as cost them the top spot.
Special mentions:
Welcome back to Captain Crowy, your voice and energy was fantastic.
Laim (Keeper) with some great saves and solid handling it was a great clean sheet!
Chris, get well soon buddy

Player of the Match: Tommy - Tommy was controlling the midfield and halting them from getting into their stride, then some perfectly timed challenges and calmness at the back. Solid in both positions.

24/01/2023

First of our player profiles, introducing each of our players to our local community.

Name: Chris Arnold
Age: Old (come on Christopher, you don't look a day over 60)
Occupation: Electrician
Position: Central defender
Time with Club: 12 years
Favourite past time (other than football): Running/Cricket
Favourite Memory: Playing on the same team with both of my sons.

Other player profiles to come over the following weeks - Like and Follow us to keep updated. Please feel free to feedback if there is anything you would like to see from Hempstead United FC

24/01/2023

Sunday Jan 22 K/O 10:30.
Rainham Recreation Ground

Medway Utd vs Hempstead United FC
A very cold and icy morning, I think most hoped it would be called off, upon referee ground inspection it had melted enough to go ahead.
The game started and Hempstead applied some early pressure, with Joe causing some problems on the left wing, we had a few early shots but no joy.
After about 30 mins, Medway had a few chances but Hempstead were applying pressure, the Tommy got hold the ball and cracked it into the bottom corner giving Hempstead the lead 1-0.

The second half starts and Medway Utd aren't giving up and the game opens up. Hempstead are still creating chances down the flanks but the bobbly pitch causes problems for getting the ball into the box. Medway get a lucky bounce off Liam (GK) legs and slot the ball in for 1-1.
Both teams are not giving up and the competitiveness increases, some questionable decisions for both sides are ironically consistent and the game finishes 1-1.
We weren't happy with our overall performance and feel we deserved a better result - Medway Utd fought hard to get the draw.
Onward and upward for the rest of the season for Hempstead United FC

08/12/2022

Match Report - 4th of December
Gillingham Town vs Hempstead United FC
Venue - Luton Rec
KO - 10:30am

We came into this game with good expectations, the opposition had a bad run and we had a good number of players.
The weather was holding off though the pitch was soaked and the team felt good.
Kick-off and we attack instantly, a sustained amount of pressure with a combination of their keeper making some good saves and the shots going a bit off target but eventually we score! Matt through for a1on 1 and calm as a coma slots in the first 0-1.

A few minutes and Harry attempts a Ronaldo special overhead kick but the keeper dives to his right and saves it. The first half continues, Matt scores again, Harry nets 1, Liam nets 1 and Nick gets on the score sheet too 0-5 half time.
The team are relaxed at half-time, Ken (gaffer) is looking at some changes to keep the pressure on and to ensure everyone gets a game.
Much the same as the first half, Liam in goal getting the occasional kick of the ball but a lot of pressure from Hempstead and we slot in a few more goals, Matt getting another 2 and after switching the pocket rocket Joe from the right into the forward position, Joe almost instantly slots in his goal for the game 0-8!

Their heads are down and it becomes an attempt for more goals and a lapse in concentration they nick a goal in the last couple of minutes 1-8!
Some tiredness with eagerness to score led to some misses, but a great result with Hempstead United FC winning and based on the other results in the league takes us to 2nd in the table. A happy gaffer and a happy team.

Joe - the right-wing rocket, was awarded player of the match, a difficult choice with a lot of worthy performances.

07/11/2022

Match Report: 6th November 2022.
Vs The Walnut Tree
Location: Hempstead Rec (both teams home ground)

Another wet and horrible weather day brings another league match with The Walnut Tree off of the back of 1-0 loss the previous week and Hempstead United FC in the midst of a winning streak.

We went into the game knowing our opposition are a good team and not to be taken lightly but we know we can win.
We start strong and play the way we know we can play, take an early lead through the ever-consistent Callum adding another goal to his season tally and his quest to be the top goals scorer again.
The Walnut Tree let us know they are a good side and equalised soon after, this inspired us and we went 2-1 and then 3-1 up thanks to goals from Harry and his observations from previous games led to him being in the right place, great thinking!
3-1 at half-time and the morale is high, the team are confident they can win the game. Confident but aware the opposition would attack hard to try and salvage the result.
The second half and some great football from both teams, we had some early chances, Harry looking for the hat-trick, Matt looking to add to his season totals and a glorious cross that was just missed at the far post.
Captain Crowy, came off having injured his ankle, Tommy coming on at left-back. Tommy is an all-rounder and can play in all positions and reads the game so well so is a good swap.
Crowy took over as linesman with some unintentional comedy calling for a throw for us before realising as linesman it's his job to call whose throw it is! DOH!!
Back to the game......... The opposition is throwing everything at us to get a result, an unfortunate bounce over GK Liam and oh no..... 3-2. This is going to be a squeaky last 20 mins, and then Chris, the ever-solid rock in defence gets a knock on the back of his leg and needs to be replaced. Jake comes on, we move Nick into Central Defence, Callum into the Centre Midfield role and Jake replaced Callum as Left Mid. Game on, some great defending, plenty of noise and encouragement and some solid handling from Liam, a few post hits and the welcome final whistle! A hard-fought win but another win!
Based on the other results in the league, this win takes us to 2nd in the league, we have a week off next week so time to recover and go again to maintain our winning streak.

Player of the Match goes to Harry Hatton, solid game and worked hard. Well Done!