The mythical magic of the FA
Cup was very much in evidence last season as Hereford FC came back from 3-0
down to beat Truro City 4-3 in a replay. The velvet bag (‘magic of the FA Cup',
‘velvet bag’ – how many more clichés can I squeeze into this preview?) has once
more delivered the two teams as a pairing, as the Bulls start what will
hopefully be a bit of a Cup run this season.
With Truro now re-domiciled a
very long way away from anywhere sensible after a period as lodgers at Plainmoor, home of Torquay United, this one’s luckily
at home, kick off 3pm on Saturday. Talking of which: Gateshead, now Truro –
Edgar Street really is a footballing mecca in attracting clubs from the very
outskirts of Europe, if indeed either Gateshead or Truro are even classed as
being in Europe, which they probably aren’t.
Stand-out performances from
Jacob Jagger Cane and Jordan Nicholson in the otherwise scrappy win over the
Heed on Tuesday should help Russell Slade develop an idea of his
strongest starting XI in more important battles to come as he settles into his new job. He has indicated that his
preference is to do all he can to win this match rather than use it as an
opportunity for a bit of squad rotation, and, with no Tuesday match to follow,
a strong Bulls side is anticipated.
Defensively, the ship looked a
good deal more balanced and floaty with Jack Bodenham on the left on Tuesday, and although
Jared Hodgkiss will be missed on the right after picking up a knock against
Gateshead, Keiran Thomas can slot in as a tailor-made replacement, with Simeon
Maye or Tom Owen-Evans taking his place in midfield.
Truro are in the Southern League Premier South, a tier below Hereford, having been relegated last season, and are averaging two points a game which sees them in fourth position, but that's all I'm going to say about that and them because it's boring me writing it let alone you reading it, and anyway a massive digger has just plunged 200m down from the farm above me, driverless, to land on the road, 20m to the side of my house. This is true, and much more dramatic than Truro's recent form, which is probably quite good, I haven't checked because I'm a bit shocked by recent events (see above). Luckily no-one was hurt, thanks for asking.
Truro are in the Southern League Premier South, a tier below Hereford, having been relegated last season, and are averaging two points a game which sees them in fourth position, but that's all I'm going to say about that and them because it's boring me writing it let alone you reading it, and anyway a massive digger has just plunged 200m down from the farm above me, driverless, to land on the road, 20m to the side of my house. This is true, and much more dramatic than Truro's recent form, which is probably quite good, I haven't checked because I'm a bit shocked by recent events (see above). Luckily no-one was hurt, thanks for asking.
Ahem, anyway, The Bulls will be keen to
extend their unbeaten run at home, and there’s the added incentive of making
progress through a few rounds in a bid to make a few quid, get Midlands Today
down for a visit or two, and then get patronised by the national media if
things really start to take off in terms of ‘going deep’ in the competition. A
long way to go yet of course before the cobwebs are brushed off Freetown Kudos* and
the swede.
A couple of goals for TOE as he
looks to get his starting place back, and a clean sheet would be nice too. No
pressure.
I'm now off to help clear up the mess that's been made of my usually very peaceful corner of the world, and thank goodness for 20m gaps.
*Assuming the big fella is still with us.
COYW
COYW