Former Kington Goalkeeper reports
After an impressive run of form the Bulls lost a very poor game. Another game, another keeper saw loaned Tyler return. In defence were Hodgkiss (c), Amadi-Holloway, Pendley and Evans. Haines and Hanson sat, with McLean, Pinchard and Storey behind Barnett.
On the bench were Derricott, Klukowski, Campbell, Caton and Holmes.
The match started poorly, and it never really got any better. Both sides struggled with the 4g plastic pitch. Pendley was looking solid and Barnett working hard up front. Pinchard took a free kick from about 35 yards, and it was only a little wide of the post.
Having played so well at Bromley on 4g last week, Hereford returned to their ongoing struggle to adapt to the plastic surface with little fluidity and much poor controlling of the ball.
Bradford did not offer much seeming more intent to keep a clean sheet than to commit attackers. Fielding was booked for a foul on Storey. This was grim stuff and neither side deserved a goal. The blossoming Amadi-Holloway and Pendley partnership at the back one of the few positives for Hereford.
561 souls hoped for better in the second half. Bradford were a little more progressive and Hereford’s corners were poor rarely beating the first defender. Hereford brought on Holmes for McLean and Bradford swapped Church for Dockerty. Hereford’s best chance came when a beautiful Hodgkin cross was headed wide by Barnett.
A very dull match was petering out. Hereford brought on Caton for Pinchard, and Campbell for Barnett. Bradford attacked down the wing and Campbell slipped. Hopper took advantage and entering the box Evans brought him down for an unequivocal penalty. Striker Blyth converted the penalty and Bradford snuck a barely deserved victory.
Haines was booked at the end for dissent. The only benefit of this performance is that the watching Portsmouth scout to report that the reserves will be enough if the Bulls play as poorly as this. Hard to pick a man of the match but the pies were very good.
The pitch was the winner, the spectators the losers and it will be good to be back on grass on Tuesday night.