Bitter And Sweet

Exiled Bull watched this afternoon's match. Afterwards he told BN why he feels both bitter and sweet.

Sweet – I had no idea that a patched up United team could hit such high standards. To beat a higher ranked team in the FA Cup has always been the Bulls raison d’etre but I really didn’t it was possible with this modest squad. Ryan Bowman was the obvious star turn, putting in an extraordinary shift as a lone target man. Who knew he could jump like that? Sam Clucas, “Harry”, Josh O’Keefe and several others were outstanding in their workrate and their determination to keep the ball. Yes, there were some long balls but they were made with a definite purpose, unlike the numerous wild lunges we’ve seen in recent games. It was simply a marvellous, unexpected and desperately needed win. Life in the old Bovine yet.

The Meadow End Celebrating Will Evan's Goal - click to enlarge

Bitter – as Delia Smith once famously said post sherry-tippling “Where are you? Privately, I’m sure the club Chairman is asking the same question. The gate of 3,200 was frankly moribund, especially once the 900 visitors are taken out of the equation.  The game was on a Saturday afternoon (just) in the FA Cup against attractive opposition and United’s need couldn’t be made any clearer.   I fear that the FA Cup win bonus was effectively cancelled out by those missing two thousand and if anyone was asking the question ‘Does Herefordshire really want a professional football club’, there’s your answer.  The faithful have been unstinting in their support, repeatedly dipping in their pocket again and again but I fear there just aren’t enough of us.

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