Two Up Front, Two Goals

 

Hereford fans had a spring in their step as they discovered that Jack Evans was back at left back after breaking his arm. He has been a joy to watch this season with his verve and brio. Dale Eve continued in goal, Pendley came in to partner Lilly with Hodgkiss skipper on the right. Klukowski went for a diamond with Haines sitting, Thompson-Sommers coming in on the right and Lloyd on the left with Pinchard in the hole. Amadi-Holloway moved up the pitch to partner Storey.

McLean and Barnett dropped to the bench joining Hanson, Jarvis and Egan. Loanee Lawton was left out of the match day squad. Fifty travelled from Northamptonshire in a disappointing 1,374. The weather was sunny with heavy squally showers and a strong wind  blowing towards the Meadow End.

With a new manager to impress Brackley started the brighter. Veteran left back and impressive captain Walker combining with York down the left to give KTS and Jared a difficult afternoon. Walker sending a deep cross without being challenged to the far post and it was too easy for Stead to control, touch back left past Evans, swivel and shoot inside with Eve beaten at the near post. Hereford were unable to retain possession and the game was mostly being played in their half. 

Brackley were pressing high and defensive midfielder Murombedzi was especially effective. He’s one of the best players in his position in the division. Bulls fans were hoping to get to half time only one down as Brackley managed the game and the referee. Since Christmas Miles Storey has been a man on a mission. Boldly chasing lost causes and bounding with energy. He made something out of nothing from a prod by Amadi-Holloway, bamboozling  Cullinan-Liburd.

Miles cut in and passed to the back post where Lloyd had made a lung busting run to fire into a gaping net. The pay off for playing two men up front to occupy defenders and provide unmarked space for breaking midfielders. 

Brackley came back and made chances but the Bulls looked more confident. A fine quick passing move started with Pinchard carrying the ball down the right wing, losing possession and winning it back. He clipped a ball to Storey in the centre forward position he nodded it in behind for Amadi-Holloway to run on to and cross for Lloyd to slot home at the far post. Unfortunately the referee ruled Aaron was offside but it was a close run thing.It looked like the assistant referee had decided on when the ball arrived rather than when it was played.

 

 

Now the Bulls had their dander up and although Brackley continued to have more of the game Hereford looked dangerous every time they broke with two strikers up front. Lloyd got his foot in to break up a Brackley attack on the edge of the box. Pinchard picked up the loose ball drove forward, drew a defender and slid the ball wide to Storey. Miles went down the left wing and saw a lung busting run by Evans underlapping. He passed it in behind and Jack just got to it and took the ball to the byline.Amadi-Holloway made a rear post run, drawing defenders leaving lung buster Lloyd who had started the move twenty yards from his own goal to run to the near post. Jack pulled back and Ryan carefully played the ball into the far side netting. Hereford had come from one goal down to take the lead and fans were joyously in shock. Matwasa was substituted for Smart.

Amadi-Holloway played Storey in behind just as he had for the first goal. Miles pulled the rigger and shot to the right of Lewis who stuck out a limb to deflect the ball onto the post for a corner. The half had been one of two halves. Brackley had bossed it to start but once the Bulls realised how effective the Pinchard, Storey, Amadi-Holloway triumvirate could be on the break the game turned and the Bulls dynamism gave them a deserved lead.

Brackley came out and bossed the game. Hereford barely got out of their half. The Bulls were being overwhelmed in midfield as Brackley showed the power and skills which saw them challenging for automatic promotion for much of the season.A goal was inevitable. Walker and Bates were trying to work the ball down the left wing. It seemed as if the ball may have gone over the line but play continued. A quick exchange saw Bates free in space with Pinchard and KTS left behind. He clipped a cross Rooney at to the far post. Evans always looked odds against to win the ball. He valiantly jumped but he was outmuscled and Rooney headed down. Lilly was caught ball watching as Smart slipped away behind me and finished clinically unmarked in front of Eve.

Brackley continued to boss the game. Haines had had a hard game and was replaced by Hanson. The change seemed to help Hereford get back into the game. Hereford were going back and forth before a very odd moment. Preston under pressure in his penalty area from KTS clearly handled the ball and referee Corbett awarded a penalty. Brackley mobbed the referee and assistant referee for a couple of minutes and without explanation the penalty was overturned for a Brackley foul which nobody had seen. It was odd how long it took and notable that Hereford did not have players arguing their case. Brackley managed the referee better throughout the game.

Jarvis came on for Pinchard who had again played creatively. Jarvis sublimely controlled a ball in the box beat his man and only keeper Lewis denied him winning the game. The Bulls finished the stronger. The second half replicating the first Brackley yielding dominance. A draw was a fair reflection and this was the most entertaining home game for months.

Gowling’s law said that everybody came back for corners because as he said more bodies in the way is statistically proven to concede less goals. However, one fact in isolation does not make a rule for football. If you do not leave a man on the half way line you will score less goals. One up front will score less goals than two. The Amadi-Holloway - Storey partnership clicked. It created goals and chances. It also seemed to allow Pinchard to play forward better. Two men to pass to is easier than one. Too often Barnett has had two centre backs marking him, one tight, one just off and it makes it hard work for the team, not just Tyrone.

Lloyd with his double has to be man of the match, the referee denied him a hat trick. Hereford still looked uncertain at the back. Evans is just back, he has done tremendously well to be fit. He acknowledged in his post match interview he is not at his best yet. However, his sprint created the second goal and the sheer joie de vivre he brings to his football inspires players and fans alike. 

Hereford are almost safe.