Son of Eric watched Hereford go out of the FA Trophy yesterday.
With Fini going on loan Ryan Lloyd became the new left back, joining Hodgkiss, Andoh and Pearce in defence. Haines and Vincent sat in midfield. Owen-Evans in the hole and the front trident of Ismail, Gordon, and McLean. Ismail earning a start following a man of the match performance against Westfields with Smith dropping to the bench. It was good to see Ryan Price’s impressive midweek performance rewarded with a place on the bench. The team sheet showed Pollock starting at centre back, but some late event caused Andoh to come in.
The weather was cold and blustery, but Josh Gowling showed he’s a man from the Lincolnshire coast and available to reprise the classic It’s So Bracing advert wearing only a tee shirt. The bitter weather and Storm Arwen saw trees down around the shire and many trains out of order resulting in a slightly disappointing crowd of 1615 with 200 Kidderminster fans who had shown their commitment despite much advice to not travel.
Kidderminster started brightly and for the first twenty minutes or so looked as good as any team at Edgar Street this season. Austin was a will of the wisp buzzing around in gaps and it was only due to some poor touches by right winger Clayton-Phillips when well placed that Hereford were not given a more challenging start. Hereford had the ball in the net when Owen-Evans neatly finished a Gordon flick, but the centre forward was clearly offside.
A long ball towards Morgan-Smith saw him tightly marked by Andoh behind him. The ball went over their heads towards the onrushing Austin. Haines read the danger and stretching stabbed out a leg to cut out the ball. Haines on his heels tried to adjust but Morgan-Smith’s intelligence saw him turn and pick up the loose ball with Andoh not following the striker. Morgan-Smith tapped the ball left away from Pearce who came out to challenge and before the chief got close to him got off a strike across Hall. Morgan-Smith didn’t catch the ball cleanly, but the quickness of the strike seemed to catch the goalkeeper by surprise. Going down he seemed to have the shot well covered and appeared to go to catch it, but the ball bounced in front and a shot which it seemed could have easily been tipped around for a corner went over the outstretched arms and into the side netting. An impressive piece of finishing and a fair reflection of the game.
Hereford tried to up their game but too often Gordon was left isolated, and Kidderminster were able to pick their way past Hereford’s attempts to press with Austin’s guile a joy to watch. The division’s top scorers were giving Hereford’s defence a thorough examination. A couple of month’s ago the game may have got away but with Pearce continuing to organise things Hereford held firm but threatening mostly through set pieces. The strong wind and the low sun also made defending difficult.
Owen-Evans swung in a good ball from a free kick to the far post which Morgan-Smith headed away for a corner. Tom rolled up the right wing and struck another beautiful dead ball which Pearce running towards the front post rose and flicked towards the far side netting. The ball appeared to cross the line to those in Block D, but keeper Simpson palmed the ball out.
Little Ryan McLean was standing surrounded by four hulking defenders but had the quickness of mind to back heel the ball into the net before Cameron or Richards could react, keeping his fine goal scoring form going. Hereford were fortunate to go in level as Kidderminster had been the better team.
The second half started with Kidderminster on the front foot and Hall having to deal with two difficult crosses.
Ismail retaliated with a delightful, floated cross which deserved a finish. He then indicated to the bench that he needed to come off and was replaced by Smith. Martin caught Smith in a challenge. Smith responded and both players were booked, Smith giving a lengthy explanation to the referee of how he had been elbowed and fouled. It would have been better if he had done this first rather than retaliating and getting an unnecessary booking.
Kidderminster had rested some of their star players this season and brough one of those players Hemmings on for Austin, also bringing on White for the ineffectual Clayton-Phillips who Lloyd had mastered. Hereford’s most dangerous moments were coming from Haines long throws. Throwing the ball in from level with the penalty area on the left the ball was half cleared. Hodgkiss who had a good game was alert and took the difficult ball crisply and cut across the edge of the penalty D, feeding a subline ball to Haines who coming in unmarked from the flank had the whole goal at his mercy. He opted to side foot a curling pass into the top far corner but overhit it a yard high and a yard wide. With several Hereford players ready to punce he needed to get the ball on target.
Kouhyar came on for McLean and Kidderminster brought on Freemantle for Sterling. Hereford were finishing the stronger side. However, former Bull Keith Lowe had an excellent game at centre back and on several occasions when players were through, he made timely interventions. A well worked Owen-Evans free kick saw Haines about to pounce before Simpson grabbed the ball. Gordon having put in a shift, but often left too isolated was substituted for Sodeinde. The sponsors man of the match was Haines, and the fans chose McLean. Both good young players who consistently improve but I thought Owen-Evans was Hereford’s best player. He put in several excellent dead balls including the corner which led to the goal. Of all the attacking players he did the most to support Gordon and his tactical fouling would have had Pep Guardiola purring. His all-round midfield play and grit has added to the twinkle Toes he has always shown.
The game went straight to penalties and although they were taken at the Meadow End Hereford had the disadvantage of going first. Owen-Evans and Lloyd hit beautiful penalties, but Smith’s was at a comfortable height and too central, Simpson putting up a palm to save it. Brandon Hall was standing on the touchline parallel to the goal and immediately remonstrated with referee Rollason that Luke Simpson had taken a step forward from the line to save the ball. Rollason dismissed the protests and then Simpson did the same again. Kidderminster’s penalties were excellent and Kouhyar scored comfortably but Hereford were out.
A draw was a fair result, but Hereford were playing their strongest available team whereas Kidderminster put some of their starters on the bench. Hereford still have a way to go before they are challenging at the top, but Kidderminster looked good enough especially in the first twenty minutes to be challenging for promotion until the end of the season. Although they had received some unpleasant chants from the Meadow End, the Kidderminster players and captain Lowe showed a lack of class when White scored the decisive penalty going over to try and taunt the home supporters who thankfully showed more restraint.
