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| Tom Owen-Evans And Levi Andoh After Hereford's Second Goal |
Son of Eric watched Hereford draw with Curzon Ashton at Edgar Street yesterday afternoon.
On a mild, dry day with little wind and a grass pitch conditions were a marked contrast to last week at Southport. Andoh switched to right back with captain Hodgkiss not in the squad, keeper Hall deputising as skipper. Pollock came in for Haines who dropped to the bench and partnered Pearce. Versatile Lloyd went to left back with Kouhyar coming into midfield partnering Vincent. TOE stayed in the hole with McLean, Gordon and Smith attacking. The crowd of 1,463 had less than 10 from Lancashire.
Curzon Ashton quickly won a corner on the right and an excellent ball was hit into the middle of the box, McKay rising high to head powerfully down. The ball appeared to be blocked just inside the post but then an attempt to clear rebounded and squirmed in, it was hard to exactly see how Curzon took the lead.
Hereford were unfazed playing good constructive football. McLean cut inside and went on a lengthy cross field run before clipping a ball to the edge of the box. Owen-Evans was just unable to reach it and Renshaw gathered. Vincent then played a long raking ball in behind Thomas. Andoh overlapping took it beat his man and reached the by-line cutting back a peach of a ball for an easy chance which Gordon gobbled up to equalise.
Hereford were breaking fluidly, and Curzon resorted to tactical fouling which resulted in stern chats with referee Maskrey. Kouhyar had a curling shot which Renshaw made a very good save to tip away. Gordon was penalised as he tried to break away after a corner. Waters stole a couple of yards and hit a free kick from 22 yards out which arced low to the right of Hall who did well to deal with it. Hereford’s next break saw Andoh again causing havoc on the right outmuscling defenders and pulling back to TOE who made no mistake as the Bulls took a deserved lead.
Curzon produced some excellent dead balls, but their best chance came from a sloppy back pass by McLean which the impressive Curran intercepted and shot. Hall partly saved and as the ball ran loose the Chief was first to react and clear away. Hereford had control and Andoh was raiding forward and defending strongly. He had an outstanding performance and was easily man of the match. His agent should send the video of this match when negotiating a contract.
Kouhyar danced away from two Curzon players but was robbed of possession. He quickly recovered and nicked the ball away. This angered Curran who came in high and heavily for a foul which looked more red than the yellow it was given.
Curzon tried longer balls but the half was a joy to watch. This was quite possibly the best half of offensive football a Hereford FC side have produced since their foundation. Lots of pressing and quick creative passing. However, Curzon manager Lakeland recognised the danger and Wilson, and Hobson were brought on to play a more direct style and be more combative in midfield. Ashton won corners and throughout the afternoon put in a high standard of dead balls. Hereford did not look comfortable defending and when Hobson scored Hereford were relieved that a foul was given to rule the strike out.
Hereford were under pressure. McLean broke away and he outpaced the defence to find himself one on one with the keeper but his shot from 12 yards out was high and wide left of the goal when he should have at least worked the keeper. Hall was the busier keeper saving well from Curran. A corner to the big man Hobson saw the striker nod in the equaliser which had been coming for a while.
Gowling immediately changed things bringing on Storey for Gordon and Klukowski for Kouhyar. He could as easily taken off Vincent who tired in the second half. Several times when taking balls inside the Curzon half he turned away and fed the ball back or moved backwards when
Hereford needed some fast feet or a progressive pass. Klukowski’s lack of pace made Hereford a more limited attacking force.
Curzon continued to have the better of the play. Lloyd was regularly under pressure and needed greater support from McLean in front of him and Pollock inside him. McLean was taken off for Ismail and Smith switched wings which gave Lloyd better defensive teamwork. Curzon scored from a corner but thankfully the whistle could be heard for a penalty area foul before the ball hit the net. Curzon were finishing the game more strongly. McKay crossed well from the left for a bullet header at close range from Thomas. Hall made an outstanding reaction save and Hereford held on for a point.
Andoh had a game for the ages, the spirits of Steve Emery and Chris Price saw him the kingpin of the right flank receiving many plaudits from the fans. It was very disappointing to see Curzon manager Lakeland’s half time substitutions change the game so easily. Gowling made several second half changes but could not get back control of the game. Curzon are a far better side than in recent seasons and look a top half of the table team with some good football, a bit of nous, quality dead balls and long balls to mix it up. This was a superb afternoon’s entertainment, and the first half masterclass by Hereford will live long in the memory.