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| Ryan Lloyd Back In Midfield |
On a showery but mild day Josh Gowling changed to a diamond midfield. Visser continued in goal with an unchanged back four of Andoh, Pendley, Haines (c) and Evans. Hanson came back into the team as the base of the midfield diamond with Thompson-Sommers on the right and Lloyd on the left. Pinchard the diamond tip behind Amadi-Holloway and Storey.
The bench of Wade, Thompson, Holmes, McLean and Barnett was the strongest and most balanced in months. 106 sea dogs were in the crowd of 2,051.
The start of the game was turgid and Scarborough did not look like a team challenging at the top of the table. Gradually Hereford realised that the game was there for the taking. The atmosphere was rather flat with the most noise coming from the excited Wellington guard of honour youngsters chanting “Hereford” and encouraging the team.
The diamond formation saw Hereford playing further up the field. It also enabled greater and better pressing. Tyrone Barnett looked on from the bench dreaming of such coordination after his recent isolation. Following on from his Kidderminster performance Storey was playing on the shoulder of the Borough defence and the Bulls were looking to feed him.
Referee Maskrey was letting things go and Scarborough kicked the ball away right in front of him with no consequence. Andoh was booked for a late and slightly heavy tackle which was no worse than some Scarborough challenges. Scarborough cleared a Hereford free kick but only as far as KTS who nodded it back in to the far post. The ball was high and hanging as it fell to Pendley in space. In one movement he swivelled and struck a difficult dropping ball across Cracknell giving the keeper no chance. A sensational Bergkampesque finish. Orrin is the best finisher at the club with ice in his veins inside the penalty area.
The goal saw Hereford take control. Amadi-Holloway was a 9 and a 10 leading the line and winning headers but also dropping off finding space and providing penetrative passing. KTS, Lloyd and Pinchard were hunting as a pack and turning the ball over high up the field ideal to feed Miles and he was booked when going in on the keeper he caught Cracknell as he slid in for the ball.
Andoh was charging forward but had KTS or Hanson dropping back in to cover. Playing solo Jethro was screening the back four comfortably. Pinchard was revelling in the central role probing, pressing and passing. With the change in formation he had more players around him. All this knitted together by the man who does so much but some see little of, Ryan Lloyd. Constantly moving the ball forward and anticipating which part of the pitch he needs to guard he makes his team mates look better players and was the sponsors man of the match.
Scarborough were second best and captain Coulson was replaced up front by McGuckin. Fans were very happy at half time with the enterprising and entertaining display by the Bulls. The only concern was whether they could play as well in the second half. Within seconds the Bulls scored. Pinchard pressing up field won possession and slid a ball through the back line. Storey beat the defenders for pace and like any good striker he did not look up. He knew where the goal was and shot across Cracknell. The shot beat the keeper and a defender rushing back tried to hack it away but only blasted it into the net.
Borough manager Greening had had enough of Glynn’s inability to cope with the pace of Miles and replaced him with Maloney. Left back Jackson had received a bit of stick for his chunky physique resulting in tight shorts. Another Scarborough player struggling against pace was replaced with Tear. A fluid Hereford sought to feed Storey at every opportunity the Boro backline too often square and unable to cope with pace.
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| Was Thompson-Sommers Stopped From Scoring? |
The game was Hereford attacking and breaking at speed with a fluid front line. Scarborough were labouring, regularly caught offside. Hereford should have made it 3, 4 or even 5 such was their dominance. Boro got two efforts in on goal but Dino made decent saves. Barnett replaced Amadi-Holloway. Then Lloyd went off to a fine ovation with McLean coming on. Holmes replaced KTS and took the central role with Harry moving to the left.
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| A Well Placed Long Ball From Lloyd Was Gathered By Amadi-Holloway |
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| But The Final Ball Went Just Wide Of The Upright |
Only Maloney showed any quality for Boro trying to rouse his side and playing several delightful passes. He was booked for a foul on Barnett but the poor referee Maskrey should have booked earlier for other Boro challenges.
The best home performance of the season. Scarborough were poor. Hereford did not allow them to play like a team challenging for the championship. The Seadogs were well off the pace and were out fought.
The second goal came because possession was won high up the field and there were players available. Players plural not a solo striker. There were lots of fine performances. Visser made two saves and kept firing low clearances down the channels especially to Storey. Andoh rampaged forward and added dynamism. Evans goes all day and when others tire he is still bursting forward late on. Haines marshalled an effective offside trap. Pendley was untroubled in the air and scored a scorcher.
Hanson was the platform allowing the fluid front five to thrive. All of them were worthy but my man of the match was Pinchard. He seemed a yard quicker at times and lead many rewarding presses. He made the second goal and provided many other fine passes. This was his best performance of the season. It remains worrying that dominance could not be turned into more goals. Harry could easily have had a hat trick.
The players enjoyed themselves and the crowd warmly applauded the high quality display as Sweet Caroline rang out at the end. Maybe though Shirley Bassey should be on the PA, hopefully Diamonds Are Forever.