'Orrible Orrin Stands Firm

Orrin Pendley Big At The Back

On an overcast day Hereford played Alfreton in front of 490 with about 150 from the Shire. Josh rang the changes for the second time in a week. Brad Wade was at the ground with protective devices on his arm and he was replaced by Coventry loanee and Welsh youth international Cian Tyler. Having been rested on Monday Hodgkiss was back at right back as captain. Pendley made his first league start at centre back with Lilly, Evans playing at left back.

Haines played the defensive midfield role alongside Lloyd. McLean played on the right, Sommers-Thompson returned to start behind Barnett and Storey started again on the left.

Pinchard, Latty-Fairweather and Hanson all dropped to the bench alongside Osideko and new winger Caton. Amadi-Holloway and Campbell dropped out of the squad. Alfreton were their usual robust selves with flashes of skill from Cantrill and Hobson. Alfreton opened the scoring in typical fashion. A long throw from the right drew most of Hereford's defence to the near post and the ball was half cleared to Hobson on the edge of the box and he controlled and hit a low shot just inside the left post. Watching from the far end Hereford fans could see the lack of any black and white shirts on that side of the box to intercept or block the shot. Young keeper Tyler had come to challenge for the throw and was nearer the other post and had no chance. He was rightly angry at the disjointed defensive set up which left so much space on one side of the box.

Storey was looking sharp getting down the wing, working back and putting some crosses in. Thompson-Sommers found McLean on the edge of the box Ryan controlled, feinted, found a smidgen of space and curled a precise shot in off the right post giving keeper Willis no chance. 

Soon after McLean was found by an excellent long precise clearance from Tyler and getting through he shot across Willis but the ball just went past the far post. 

Alfreton attacked and Southwell hit the post in an even first half. Just before the break Clackstone picked up an injury and was replaced by Branson. At half time the Reds brought on D Preston for Wilder.

Soon into the half Storey pulled up on the left wing with a recurrence of his hamstring problems and he was substituted for Pinchard. 

Miles had brought his customary vim and vigour to the team allowing more pressing higher up the pitch and Alfreton manager Heath complained at times to his players that they were defending too deep. Lilly was booked for a foul and when Rhead found space in the box and shot on target Hodgkiss did very well to block his effort. Alfreton brought on F Preston for Whitham. Caton made his debut in the last ten minutes replacing Thompson-Sommers. In injury time Latty-Fairweather replaced McLean who had looked Hereford's most likely to score throughout.

Hereford continued to bring back Pinchard and McLean for every defensive set piece so the Bulls lacked an outlet when they won back possession and it is hard to understand the role of the team's shortest players against a team who like to put aerial balls in. Tyler had a good debut handling well, one sublime pass which was almost an assist and bravely coming off his line to claim a ball towards the end with studs flying.

Treatment For Tyler

Hodgkiss revelled in being back and had a good game, Evans did lots of good offensive work. Barnett had his poorest game but he has such high standards he was still a very effective defender. In modern parlance he was a little leggy. Haines was more influential playing in front of the back four than when he is in it and also increased the team's central defensive resilience.

This Long Range Shot From Haines Wasn't Far Out

Overall Hereford were marginally the better side but did not have enough cutting edge. It was good to claim a point after two defeats in a row but teams which will challenge at the top will come away with three from the Impact Arena. Next week perennial strugglers Farsley come to Edgar Street and yet again they are freely conceding goals so it may be an ideal opportunity for Osideko to be involved at some stage.

Man of the match was Pendley who handled massive Matt Rhead well. He was forever touching him and letting him know he was there and even when he knew he could not win a ball he would jump in front to restrict sight lines and put off Alfreton's offensive players. On the ground he was straight forward not trying anything fancy. There was one memorable moment when Pendley soared to comfortably and powerfully head clear yet another long ball and carried through with his arm to smash into Rhead and knock him over as he won the ball. It reminded me of the great John Layton. To the Alfreton captain's credit he made no fuss recognising and respecting a fellow player who it is horrible to play against. It would be good to see 'orrible Orrin given a run in the team.