As the season limps on in seemingly pointless fashion in the absence of any offer of grant money being dished out, an actual game seems to be in the offing on Tuesday night at Edgar Street, kick off 7:45pm. In an increasingly unusual scenario, two teams still willing to soldier on were scheduled to meet, and therefore, even if it ultimately has about as much meaning as a pre-season friendly, it’s lights, camera, action time again.
As odd as it seems given the normal precedence of league matches over knock-out competitions, this one could prove to be a useful warm-up for the forthcoming Trophy game against Aldershot, an encounter that does still carry some significance. Presumably that’s a factor in staging the game given that the Hereford board has this week given in to the inevitable and announced that the season should be put out of its misery. There’s also the avoidance of receiving threatening letters from the National League board for failing to fulfil a fixture to consider. What a glorious PR triumph that august entity is enjoying over the course of this pandemic.
Newcomer Joey Butlin made his presence felt up front making his debut in the Trophy win against Leamington on Saturday, but will need to demonstrate that there are a few more strings to his bow than just physicality to make a difference here. He’ll presumably play the role of double bass with the twin violins of Kyle Finn and Tom Owen Evans either side, with The Street now Shopless.
That progress in the Trophy demonstrated the continued progress of the Hereford squad under the admirable tutelage of Josh Gowling and Steve Burr. With a nice, straightforward, conventional season surely in the offing from August, supporters will be hoping that the management team can be persuaded to stay on, strengthen further in the summer, and produce a squad that can become a true force in the division, playing well and winning in front of actual crowds pumped full of adrenaline and vaccine. What a prospect! It's just a shame that some of the current crop haven't been able to experience the atmosphere of playing in front of a big home crowd making lots of noise.
If Gowling can mastermind a win against Brackley he really will be setting new standards. To date, matches between these clubs have been somewhat one-sided, and the Bulls remain winless in the four encounters that have been endured since Hereford’s promotion to National League North.
The Saints will certainly find it harder than has been the case in the past to find a way through the Hereford defence. The back five, with protection in front of them from Ben Pollock, no longer give free gifts, and are further strengthened by Kennedy Digie’s return from injury alongside increasingly influential Jamie Grimes. That pairing would certainly be a good place to start when it comes to looking ahead to a post-Covid success story.
Despite appearing to be a club of very modest means (home gates of 500 tend to be the norm when pandemics aren’t knocking about), Brackley are fuelled by some healthy financial backing allowing them to employ a number of useful players at this level. The likes of striker Lee Ndlovu and attacking midfielder Carl Baker have propelled the Saints to third-placed finishes in each of the last three seasons. Shane Byrne, with six goals to date from midfield this season, is another classy player in a rock solid squad.
Tuesday's hosts haven’t played a league game for well over a month now, but the opposition did actually manage to play as recently as 6 February, beating Chorley 2-1 at home, making it seven wins in their last nine games going back to early December.
For what it’s worth, Hereford currently sit in 15th place in the table, ten points behind Brackley in fourth, although the Bulls have played three games fewer.
A tough assignment for the home team then, but useful preparation for the trip to Aldershot. Looking ahead, a 2-1 win at the Rec would bring back a few memories, eh readers?
COYW