First Half Pictures Hereford v Kidderminster

A selection of pictures from the first half of this afternoon's game at Edgar Street.

Match report: No Christmas present for Hereford fans after another home defeat

Man of the match Harley Hamilton

An early goal for Kidderminster Harriers was enough to condemn Hereford to their sixth home game without a win - a run stretching back to September.

The full-time Worcestershire outfit were able to dominate possession and keep Hereford at bay, with the hosts forcing visiting keeper Christian Dibble into just two saves.

As Paul Caddis made two changes from the side that were beaten 4-2 by Chorley on Saturday, Jaiden White and Sam Osborne were replaced in the starting XI by Matt Preston and Callum McFarlane.

In what appeared a defensive 5-2-1-2 formation, there were nearly 4,000 Hereford fans in a packed, cold and sun-drenched Edgar Street all hoping their side could avoid conceding early.

But their hopes were dashed as Kidderminster threatened from the first whistle and put the Bulls under pressure. With Adam Murray's side the quickest out the blocks, a ninth-minute free kick conceded after captain Lewis Hudson lost his man saw Amari Morgan-Smith acrobatically fire over from Owen Evans's delivery under little pressure from his marker Preston.

With Hereford's defence off to a predictably shaky start, the deadlock was soon broken. After a second free kick, this time on the left, Joe Foulkes's ball was brought down in the Hereford box for Emeka Obi to tuck home as a hapless Theo Richardson could only watch on. 

Kidderminster Players Celebrate In Front Of The Meadow End

And Red Mist Finds Its Way Onto The Pitch

 

With the home crowd deflated, Hereford were saved by the linesman as a threatening ball into the box looked destined to be put past Richardson by the offside Amari Morgan-Smith.

A Hudson shot then flew wide of the target in the 23rd minute as the Bulls looked like they might be coming to life after a trademark slow start. Five minutes later it was Harley Hamilton chasing down a long ball, driving into the area but seeing his shot deflected wide. 

In front of the cleared Blackfriars End, Lawson D’Ath’s corner was met by Hudson at the far-post, but his effort was blocked on the line - arguably by a Harriers hand, but referee Sam Read wasn't convinced.

Handball?

Harriers, who appeared to still be in first gear, continued to thwart Hereford's advances, including a Hamilton effort that was deflected wide and a low cross being intercepted by Evans. In front of the Meadow End, Reece Devine almost doubled the Harriers' lead six minutes before the break after beating right-back Aaron Skinner, but his low effort was a comfortable save for Richardson.

As the first half drew to a close, Kyle Howkins forced a save out of Dibble as he found the target with a header from a D'Ath corner, before a quick D'Ath free kick caught the Harriers off-guard but Hamilton couldn't get the better of Evans.

But Kidderminster still had chances, including a half-cleared corner for former Bulls loanee Charlie Cooper to volley over.

Half time: Hereford 0 - Kidderminster Harriers 1

With the Bulls light in midfield and on the wings, they struggled to create meaningful changes - a theme that continued into the second half.

They had to deal with more threats from the hosts, who despite going a goal ahead early, didn't kick on enough to increase their tally. Richardson had to punch a curling Evans free-kick from his left away early in the second half, while Harriers' defence frustrated Hereford by snuffing out balls towards the experienced Andy Williams, who spent all afternoon tirelessly chasing balls and putting the visitors under pressure.

Minutes after Sam Osborne came on to replace the lightweight and largely ineffective McFarlane, he appeared to pick up a knock as he challenged for the ball, leaving him hobbling. The creativity from the Alfreton man was therefore lacking, just as Skinner was alert to the danger from Devine as he raced in to rescue the defence and deny him a tap in at the back post.

As the derby became scrappy, with free kicks and bookings becoming more common, chances dried up for both sides. Into the 84th minute and another Evans free kick whipped into the box fell just wide of the post.

Despite a late flurry of corners, backed by a vocal Meadow End, the closest Hereford came to a point was Williams volleying over the bar. It was pleasing to see Remaye Campbell back on the pitch as he returned from injury, but he couldn't give Hereford fans the Christmas present they wanted - three points at home for the first time since Worksop on 20th September.

Full time: Hereford 0 - Kidderminster Harriers 1

Attendance: 4,670 (704 away)

Sponsors' man of the match: Harley Hamilton

While Hereford huffed and puffed and tried to create chances, they didn't do enough against a Kidderminster Harriers side who weren't at the races themselves. They got the early goal, kept calm and set the pace of the game. When Hereford were able to up the tempo, they were also guilty of slowing it down by taking their time with throw-ins and free kicks, allowing a flustered Harriers to get calm and organised once again.

Overall, Kidderminster were smarter and more organised, and ground out the result, which is probably why they sit fourth in the table and Hereford are third from bottom.

While D'Ath and Mafuta both work hard in midfield, the Bulls are constantly overrun in the middle of the park and leave the defence too much to do. Even with five playing across the back, Hereford look shaky and that's before they come up against the best strike-force in the league at Merthyr on Tuesday.

On a brighter note, Hereford only conceded one goal and looked to play slightly better as a team than they did against Radcliffe two weeks ago. They tried to create chances, but the team as a whole just aren't playing to the standard needed. It's not even about performances now, the Bulls just need points.

Fresh faces can only be a blessing.

Hereford: Richardson, Quansah, Howkins (White 86'), Preston, Skinner, Hudson, D'Ath (Campbell 73'), Mafuta, Hamilton, Williams, McFarlane (Osborne 60')

Subs not used: Lewis, Richards, Nto, Edwards

Kidderminster Harriers: Dibble, Devine, Obi, Morgan-Smith, Foulkes, Evans, Kalambayi, Davis, Cooper, Reynolds (Spokes 66'), Hemmings (Walker 52')

Subs not used: Palmer, Kandola, Tunnicliffe, Willoughby, Minaker

'Most will probably disagree': Caddis thinks Hereford deserved a point

Paul Caddis is disappointed Hereford didn't get the point against Kidderminster Harriers that he thought his side deserved.

He felt Hereford nullified their full-time opponents, and apparently, a Harriers coach said after the game that the hosts "were by far the better team".

Though not every Hereford fan is likely to agree with that, given Hereford lost 1-0 against a Harriers side that failed to kick on after Emeke Obi's 10th-minute goal. Not only that, but Christian Dibble had an incredibly quiet afternoon in goal for the Worcestershire side and was called into action to make just one save.

Caddis told BBC Hereford and Worcester after the game: "Everyone's entitled to their opinion. We feel as if we deserve something at the game. I thought there was loads of endeavour, a proper derby.

"Listen, the difference between the teams was a second-phase set piece.

"I think we definitely deserved something at the game. I think we probed as much as we possibly could, particularly in the second half, and just unfortunately couldn't break Kiddy's defence down or get a real big opportunity.

"We had lots of smaller opportunities and we had lots of balls in the box. We had corner after corner.

"Listen, everyone's entitled to their opinion, and I know most will probably disagree with mine, but I think we deserve something out the game."

Yet again Hereford weren't switched on from the first whistle and were punished with only 10 minutes on the clock. Conceding early and facing an uphill battle is a problem for the Bulls, and is becoming a recurring theme.

Asked whether he was disappointed, Caddis said: "Yeah, of course we are, absolutely we are."

After saying it could have finished goalless, he added: "We're finding it really difficult, especially in the early part of the game. Going and conceding a goal after 10 minutes in a local derby is something we constantly stress about but I think we reacted pretty well from that."

Hudson was adamant Hereford should have had a penalty in the first half when his header at the back post from a corner was cleared off the line - by what the Bulls felt were a hand.

But referee Sam Read did not award a spot kick and, according to Caddis who spoke with him at half time, he "wasn't convinced" that it had actually hit his hand because of the number of bodies in the way.

Asked whether there was going to be further action, Caddis said: "No, I think it would just be a matter of leaving it there. It makes no difference now to be honest. We've had apology after apology after apology for numerous things.

"It's not ideal. However, it's not why we are in the position we are. It's down to myself and and the staff and the players and to try and get ourselves out of the position that we're in."

Caddis admits Hereford will 'lose quite a few' players

Hereford manager Paul Caddis has said there will be changes to the squad

Hereford are set to a lose 'quite a few players' as the transfer market heats up in January.

While step two clubs don't have a transfer window to worry about in the same way as National League and above do, there is always more movement as we enter the new year.

And Hereford, who were beaten 1-0 by Kidderminster Harriers on Boxing Day, will not be immune from disruption.

Paul Caddis previously said 'six or seven' players could be leaving, including Omari Sterling-James whose time at Edgar Street looks to be up as the board negotiates a fee for the 32-year-old winger.

Loan spells are due to be up for a I-Lani Edwards, Jaiden White and Callum McFarlane, though Mitch Roberts at Gloucester and Preston Bitemo at Kettering are also coming to the end of their deals with those clubs.

As Friday's post-match interview turned to the 'six or seven' players he said would be leaving Edgar Street over the coming weeks, Caddis said: "I won't give you names. Absolutely not. 

"January is coming around the corner. So there'll be movement there in terms of players going back."

He said there are club-imposed rule of how many players can be on a contract versus non-contract - something out of his hands and that he respects, but "it's not something I enjoy".

He said that, at the start of the season, 20 or 25 per cent of players need to be non-contact - effectively one in four or five players.

"You're always fighting that as well," he added. "So someone comes in and puts a seven-day approach in, then you lose your player. 

"There will be a couple in terms of that. So we will lose quite a few which isn't ideal but we've got to try and deal with."

When asked about any discussions with chairman Chris Ammonds, who has been away visiting family and watching cricket in Australia over recent weeks, Caddis said: "I've not heard from Chris much, heard from him a little bit. He's away enjoying some time with family.

"We've got a budget to work within and we can't go over it. And that's as far as it gets in terms of speaking to the chairman about players and stuff like that."

Bulls fans will be hoping for new additions, particularly after Caddis recently said he had tried to sign two National League players but they had opted for full-time offers instead.

Edgar Street Awaits Kick-off

A look around Edgar Street in the lead up to kick-off against Kidderminster this afternoon.

For a Boxind Day fixture the weather was perfect, sunny but quite cold. And with the last few days of windy but dry weather the pitch was looking much drier.

4670 fans watched the game. 

REACTION | Paul Caddis - Hereford FC 0-1 Kidderminster Harriers

Paul Caddis gives his post match reaction to todays 1-0 defeat to Kidderminster Harriers.

Click on the play button to hear his thoughts.

Boxing Day Enterprise National League North results and updated table

The Boxing Day results from the Enterprise National League North results:

Oxford City (0) 1-3 (1) Merthyr Town

Scarborough Athletic (0) 0-1 (1) Darlington

AFC Fylde (1) 1-0 (0) Chorley

AFC Telford United (2) 3-1 (0) Chester

Curzon Ashton (0) 0-3 (2) Radcliffe

Hereford (0) 0-1 (1) Kidderminster Harriers

King's Lynn Town (1) 2-2 (2) Peterborough Sports

Leamington (1) 2-2 (1) Bedford Town

Macclesfield (0) 0-2 (0) Buxton

Marine (2) 4-2 (1) Southport

South Shields (3) 6-0 (0) Spennymoor Town

Worksop Town (0) 1-0 (0) Alfreton Town

The updated league table can be found here: http://bullsnews.blogspot.com/p/league-table.html

Bragging rights for Kiddy after Boxing Day win

Kidderminster Harriers have three points and the bragging rights after their 1-0 win at Edgar Street. 

The Worcestershire side took advantage of a trademark slow start for Hereford, with Emeke Obi's goal in the 10th minute enough to earn the points. 

Hereford did put in an improved performance but rarely threatened Christian Dibble in goal for the visitors. 

Full report, reaction and pictures to follow. 

Hereford trailing at the break after early Kiddy goal

A goal for Emeke Obi in the 10th minute sees Hereford trailing Kidderminster Harriers at half time.

But the Worcestershire side failed to kick on and take advantage of the Bulls' trademark poor start.

Hereford themselves had chances after the half hour mark, and dealt with a late push from Harriers before the break.

Half time: Hereford 0 - Kidderminster Harriers 1

Hereford team news for Boxing Day derby

There is still no Omari Sterling-James in the Hereford side as the Bulls take on Kidderminster Harriers at Edgar Street.

There has been no update on his move from Edgar Street since Saturday.

Hereford: Richardson, Quansah, Howkins, Preston, Skinner, Hudson, D'Ath, Mafuta, Hamilton, Williams, McFarlane.

Subs: Lewis, Richards, Nto, White, Edwards, Osborne, Campbell

Meadow End sold out for this afternoon

The Meadow End has now sold out for this afternoon's match between Hereford and Kidderminster.

As of 2pm, there also just nine seats left.

If you still want to go, but haven't got a ticket yet, your best bet is the Len Weston terrace.

Tickets can be bought here.

4,500 tickets sold

It is understood that 4,500 tickets have been sold for Hereford's game against Kidderminster this afternoon.

The club's ticketing portal shows just 11 seating tickets left for the 3pm kick off, as of 12.30pm.

Terraced tickets are also available in both the Meadow End and Len Weston Stand. 

Bulls On DAZN TV This Afternoon

For anyone unable to get to Edgar Street this afternoon for the game between Hereford and Kidderminster, there is coverage on DAZN TV.

And, as usual, both BBC Hereford and Worcester and Radio Hereford FC will have full coverage of the game.

BN will have the Hereford line-up before kick-off, short half-time and full-time reports and all the reaction afterwards. Later a full match report and pictures.

Biggest Boxing Day Defeat?

Looking back through the BN archives and a Boxing Day game at Mansfield in 1994.

Hereford United lost 7-1. Was this the biggest ever Boxing Day defeat?

Mansfield 7 Hereford United 1

Whilst the Bulls were 1-0 down at half-time, there was no thought that by the end of the game they would be on the wrong end of a 7-1 hiding.

Two minutes into the second half Bulls keeper Tony Pennock was left standed as Ian Baraclough launched a free-kick, with the wind behind it, from 45 yards. And then in the space of six minutes another four goals went past Pennock.

The Bulls scored a consolation goal on 60 minutes as Richard Wilkins unleased an unstoppable strike from 20 yards. However it was the only shot on target from the Bulls all afternoon.

There was one comical moment late in the game when Mansfield tried to sub Kevin Lampkin. He left the field to applause only to come back on when the referee realised the Stags had already made their two substitutions.

And to cap it all the Stags scored their seventh goal of the afternoon with just one minute of normal time left.
 

Boxing Day 2001

A look back to Boxing Day 2001.

Dec 26th:

TELFORD 0 Hereford United 1

A goal from midfielder Scott Goodwin ten minutes from time handed Hereford United all three points in Boxing Day's local derby.

The game had been pretty even until Matt Clarke had a goal disallowed for Hereford after he was deemed to be offside. It took three minutes for the Bulls to get the ball in the net again, this time legally, and secure a crucial victory.

Telford United entered the game on the back of an emphatic 5-1 victory at Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday and manager Jeff King was eager to extend an unbeaten run which stretched back seven league games. The New Bucks Head ground was as complete as last year when Hereford visited, still without a stand on the far side of the pitch. Earlier in the year, chairman Andy Shaw pulled the plug on financing the stadium until crowds improved.

The Hereford United side saw no Paul Parry or Alex Kevan in midfield so Ian Rodgerson and Phil Robinson filled in alongside Scott Goodwin and John Snape. Matt Baker's calf injury had recovered sufficiently to start, and Rob Elmes was named in attack to partner Gavin Williams.

The opening period was dominated by neither the Bulls or the Bucks, who played in their change colours for the occasion. Hereford had a few half chances early on and Phil Robinson was brought down after nine minutes by Gareth Hamner which resulted in the Telford man picking up a yellow card.

Hereford retained possession for periods without creating problems for veteran Telford 'keeper Paul Edwards. Home attacker Gary Fitzpatrick had a shot cleared by Tony James after fourteen minutes while Gareth Hamner created problems for Matt Clarke and Ian Rodgerson on the Telford left wing.

Rob Elmes had Hereford's first real chance midway through the half when Matt Clarke played a quick return-pass with Ian Rodgerson before swinging in a superb cross to the far post. Elmes couldn't quite aim his header on target as it flew past the post. Matt Baker was then called into action as he clutched a cross from the left while being pressurised and with five minutes of the first half remaining, a goal for the home side appeared increasingly likely. Shots rained in from all angles as Hereford failed to clear the ball convincingly and Gary Fitzpatrick and Gary Martindale were both frustrated by last ditch blocks.

The second half was similar to the first in that Telford probably shaded chances on goal but Hereford had more possession and appeared more lively for a spell. A corner from Gavin Williams saw Paul Edwards save from a Rob Elmes header in increasingly difficult conditions. The temperature was struggling to stay above freezing and light snow fell at times but both sets of fans remained vocal. In fact, Hereford had a travelling support of nearly five hundred which boosted the crowd to 2,168.

With thirteen minutes left, the ball finally hit the back of the net when Hereford's Matt Clarke had been released in the box before slotting the ball past Edwards. However, referee Keith Wright of Peterborough, took the advice of his assitant and ruled the effort offside.

Three minutes later, though, Clarke turned provider as his long left-hand cross met Scott Goodwin who hit home on the back post to give Hereford a crucial lead.

With eight minutes left, Matt Baker saw Paul Moore, on as a Telford substitute, five a powerful rising shot goalwards which he tipped over to maintain a narrow lead for his side.

The three points have given Hereford some breathing space at the bottom of the Nationwide Conference whilst ending Telford's superb unbeaten league run. The Bucks reamin fourth, twelve points behind new leaders Dagenham & Redbridge, while Hereford are fifteenth having opened up a four point cushion over Stalybridge Celtic, who lie in the drop zone. The Bulls welcome Celtic to Edgar Street on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Hereford's victory was a team performance and no man can be selected having excelled above his team mates. Therefore, no man of the match award has been made by HU-FC.co.uk.

Hereford United: Matt Baker, Matt Clarke, Tony Capaldi, Phil Robinson, Ian Wright (captain), Tony James, Scott Goodwin, John Snape, Rob Elmes, Gavin Williams, Ian Rodgerson
Subs: Mark Williams, Lee Evans, John Shirley, Scott Voice, Jimmy Quiggin
Scorer:Scott Goodwin (80 minutes)
Man of the Match: "The team!"
Attendance: 2,168
Referee: Mr. Keith Wright (Peterborough)

TELFORD United manager Jake King was full of praise for opponents Hereford United after they beat his side in the Boxing Day Nationwide Conference encounter at Bucks Head.

"Fair play to Hereford, they came here and did a job on us and we can't really have any complaints," reflected the Scot. "Their three midfield players controlled the game and stopped ours from playing and it's a long time since I've seen our midfield outplayed like that. Normally, we run over teams in that part of the pitch, but they won all the second ball and just edged it on the balance of play. After 25 minutes I thought the game had 0-0 written all over it as they don't score many, but they don't let many in either."

"But they nicked the winner ten minutes from the end. Four or five of our lads had the flu and didn't perform how I know they can, but I'm not using that as a an excuse. Sometimes you have to just say well done and Hereford defended really well to get something out of the game. They've got bundles of experience and it was a case of sod's law that with a big crowd present, we've got beat."


HEREFORD United's scorer Scott Goodwin, who secured three points in a 1-0 win at Telford United yesterday, as said that it was the defence that won the game for the Bulls.

Speaking after the game , he said: "Before the game, we knew it would be hard with their recent form and we'd have settled for a point. Luckily we got all three.

"In the last fifteen minutes, all credit to the back four. Ian Wright was superb in the heart of defence and we kept a good clean sheet."

"I actually thought that Clarke was going to shoot himself but I gambled and made a run to the back post. I was in the right place at the right time. And it was a great feeling when the ball went in."  

This Afternoon's Fixtures In The National North League

A list of all the fixtures set to take place in the National North League this afternoon.

Scarborough Athletic v Darlington (12.30pm)
Oxford City v Merthyr Town (1pm)
AFC Fylde v Chorley
AFC Telford United v Chester
Curzon Ashton v Radcliffe
Hereford v Kidderminster Harriers
King's Lynn Town v Peterborough Sports
Leamington v Bedford Town
Macclesfield v Buxton
Marine v Southport
South Shields v Spennymoor Town
Worksop Town v Alfreton Town 

BOXING DAY MEMORIES

Some historic Boxing Day matches over the years.

Hereford United 2-0 Wolves 1986

Hereford United 3-1 Wrexham 1991

Hereford United 1-1 Shrewsbury Town 1992

Northampton Town 1-1 Hereford United 1995

Seating tickets almost sold out for Boxing Day derby

Seating tickets have almost sold out for Hereford's Boxing Day derby with Kidderminster.

As of 9pm tonight (Thursday), less than 50 tickets remained. 

Terraced tickets are also selling well.

A crowd of over 4,000 is expected at Edgar Street - easily Hereford's biggest attendance this season, and by some distance. Around 700 of them will be on the away end.

Tickets are only available at the discounted rate up until 11.59pm tonight, before increasing to the matchday price. 

If you haven't got yours yet, you can buy them here. 

It's time to turn up

It’s derby day at Edgar Street on Boxing Day, and the majority of what promises to be a healthy 4000+ crowd will be praying that the home side ‘turns up’ for this one to put some much-needed festive cheer into what has been a grim season to date. The game’s thankfully looking to be safe from postponement courtesy of a huge chunk of luck with the weather over the last week.

Adam Murray took over as Harriers’ manager in the summer, arriving from Eastbourne Borough, who he’d guided to third place in the National League South last season, falling just short of promotion. He and his new club therefore had something in common, with Kiddy missing out on automatic promotion in agonising fashion on the last day of the season. It was then somehow inevitable that they wouldn’t then make it up through the play-offs, such is the nature of that cruel mistress of promotional decision-making.

There’s no suggestion that the Aggborough money tap has been turned off despite them having to endure another season at step 2, and as a full-time side with a hefty wedge subsidising them it’s no surprise that they’re in the mix again, although a degree of inconsistency earlier in the season has left them with a job on their hands if they’re to challenge Fylde, South Shields or even Merthyr for the title.

However, a 1-0 home victory over Fylde on Saturday further enhances the suggestion that they’re flying at the moment, and that they’ve in no way given up the idea of winning the league, which is of course quite right too with half the season remaining. The 20/1 being offered about them topping the table looks like very good value to me. The 1500/1 on Hereford doing the same looks slightly less so.

Given the players they sign, it’s no surprise that they’re haemorrhaging £200k a season, and it’s to be hoped that whoever’s underwriting that doesn’t get bored and walk away as they’re a proper and respected club. However, in a week in which it was reported that Norwich City lost £39m (like, over the last year I think rather than in the last week) maybe that’s what passes as financial prudence these days on Planet Football, and indeed a football finance expert recently deemed Kiddy ‘sensibly run and sensibly managed’.

They’ve signed a number of players for this season far out of the financial reach of sustainably-run Hereford. Kurt Willoughby for one, and Michael Gyasi, who is on loan from Kings Lynn in one of those loan deals I don’t really understand. He has already been instrumental in masterminding a very straightforward victory at Edgar Street for his parent club in the opening home game of the season. Ex-Bull Charlie Cooper is now with them, and Ashley Hemmings recently returned, again on loan and is another obvious big threat.

Their goalkeeper Dibble has only picked up two yellow cards this season, both presumably for timewasting, which suggests perhaps that the new manager has told him to stop being hellbent on continuing to take the practice to extremes, when it’s thankfully seemingly falling out of fashion everywhere else.

An aggregate score of 8-1 in their favour last season in the two matches against Hereford was, depressingly, about right. However, and I hate to say it - the current ‘quirky’ nature of the Edgar Street pitch could be something of a leveller. Something that could be considered, perhaps, is a new sort of press – pressing the visitors into the sandy/boggy areas of the pitch where they can’t do anything too fancy.

The Bulls go into this one back in the relegation zone. If, and it was admittedly a huge ‘if’, Hereford had won at Chorley, won their three games in hand over Harriers, and beaten them here, they would only be two points behind their Worcestershire neighbours. OK, OK, I did say it was a huge ‘if’!

That sort of fanciful notion, following a heavy defeat at Chorley featuring the concession of yet another early goal and some careless defending, is now well and truly for the birds. The rest of the season is about survival, and the sooner enough points can be ground out to ensure another season at this level, the sooner preparations can be put in place to become progressive again for 2026/27. By progressive, I mean actual winning runs rather than four-game unbeaten runs featuring draws and wins over lower-league opposition. The former simply hasn’t happened this season at all, because the squad isn’t strong enough to allow it. Whether that’s because the club has been left behind by its part-time status, it’s admirable adherence to sound financial management, underwhelming summer recruitment or what, who knows, but you can’t put it down to bad luck for half a season.

Paul Caddis has suggested that current loan deals won’t be renewed when they expire imminently, although Sam Osborne is thankfully on a season-long loan, and would ideally be made a permanent signing over the summer. Madou Cisse is also at Edgar Street for the season, but he seems, unusually, to be a non-playing loanee. Perhaps he helps Ben Bowen with the drainage.

There’s undoubtedly the core of a decent squad, and hopefully the two, three, four or even five new players suggested as coming in for the new year will be good enough to keep the Bulls up. Perhaps it’s not ideal to be starting again for what feels like the third time this season, but who’d want continuity given what’s gone before?

After last season’s two games against Kidderminster, it would be so good to actually be competitive at least for this one. In recent seasons it seems that performances generally have been flat when there’s a large crowd in. It’s high time that pattern was broken here.

Can a reasonable case be made for that happening? Nope. Is football a funny old game? Allegedly. Fingers crossed.

Merry Christmas to all, and here’s to a safe journey over for our Worcestershire neighbours.

COYW