Very Good Performance Tarnished By Misogynistic Chants

Jack Tolley Scored Hereford's Third Goal

On a mild, dry day Hereford welcomed Cambridge City. The team set up 4-2-3-1 with Pond; Skinner, Howkins, captain Downing, Livingstone in for Cranston. Lyden and Teixeira continued their partnership. Mendes came in for Tolley, Babos was in the hole with Ceesay on the left. Rooney was rested with new signing Freemantle making his first start. On the bench were young keeper Sterry, Cranston, Tolley, Stanley, Singh, Rooney and Arthur. 

Cambridge started brightly forcing corners and a bit of consternation. But this was to be the only five minutes of the game they would be on top. Hereford worked their way into the game and gradually got the upper hand. Although the crowd of 1,550 with 45 from the Fens was better than many expected, Edgar Street was unusually quiet and only the eager enthusiasm of Wessington Juniors in A Block made some noise. 

Skinner hit a long deep searching cross beyond the far post. It looked like it had gone too far but Ceesay raced to near the byline, stretched out one of his long legs and stabbed the ball towards goal, only to hit the post. 

 

Hereford had the upper hand but could not produce a sustained period of pressure. Babos was looking good. He danced forward and as he reached the box he was fouled. 

 

The free kick was in an ideal position just left of centre, Alex got up and clipped it like Ward-Prowse perfectly into the corner giving Welch no chance. The goal roused the Meadow End and the Bulls relaxed a little. 

Freemantle and Livingstone shot over, when the goalkeeper needed to be worked. Howkins played a shockingly bad pass to Pond. Luckily for him Curtis was alert, rushed out and challenged Rolt who appeared to pull out a little. I would be apprehensive of big Curtis was charging at me! The ball ran loose and Curtis claimed it. 

Then came the worst moment of the match. On Friday night Chairman Ammonds rightly announced that the club was within £5,000 of going bust and ceasing to exist only a few months ago. Cambridge's Battersby went down injured. Sports Therapist Tia McCrindle came on to treat him. Twenty to thirty people on the Len Weston side of the Meadow End who had paid to come in started shouting together that they wanted the Therapist to take off her clothes in the middle of the pitch for their enjoyment. It must have not been heard by the club officials but it is unprofessional that none of the stewards alerted the club to the abuse. 

The club proclaims much about Respect but an opportunity to demonstrate this was not taken. It is great to have Hereford Women playing at Edgar Street on a Sunday but mothers, sisters and daughters need to be regarded on a Saturday. Darlington and Scarborough were both fined £1,500 for similar misogynistic chanting in July. That's the cost of a loan player for a month or maybe more. The club is desperate to hang on to chances of promotion and is in a financial crisis with six figure losses each year which are being desperately staunched. It is depressing that a few of those present wanted to hurt the club financially through their bigotry. 

Paul Caddis should be able to bring his daughters on to the pitch at Hereford without having to worry about what a few may shout at them. The club should investigate why no action was taken to address this serious breach of their club policy. 

Battersby was replaced by Davies. Ceesay was giving right back Staszewski a diffiult afternoon. He beat him and centred to Freemantle who shot from the edge of the box. His effort was deflected and looped up and bounced off the top of the bar. Hereford were in control and attacking. Livingstone who had a decent game going forward put a cross into the corridor of uncertainty, Welch pushed it out, Babos fired it back but it was blocked. The second goal had been coming. Babos yet again ran at the defence in the inside left channel, drawing out defenders. He slipped the ball to Livingstone. The Cambridge defence adjusted and Adam squared the ball to Ceesay. Cambridge had done their research. Don’t let Ceesay cut inside and shoot, so he was shown outside. Fine said Yusifu a tap outside the defender and he smashed it into the far top corner. Welch barely moved. 

 

Easy Ceesay. Player of the month for September, three in three.

Hereford were comfortably on top and should have scored more. The two goals were top class and the fans were happy at half time. Ceesay was booked for an innocuous foul. The officials were poor with worse Cambridge challenges unpunished. Early in the second half vaunted midfield play maker Broccoli was booked. He had a poor game and committed serial fouls. 

Babos was having a very good game and shot from the edge of the box. A defender got a part block but the ball deflected to Freemantle in space on the edge of the six yard box. He spun and snatched at it hitting the ball well wide of the far post. A very poor finish when the goal was gaping. He was saved embarrassment by an offside flag. The decision seemed wrong with a defender behind him and the ball came to him off a Cambridge player. The signing of Freemantle seems curious. Kidderminster are bottom of the National League having only scored seven goals in thirteen games with manager Penn under pressure and desperate for goals. Yet he is certain Freemantle is not worth trying sending him on loan to Gloucester and now Hereford.

Ethan has not played much football and is recovering from an infection so is perhaps finding his way a little. However, this was a concerning performance. He did not hit the target when he had opportunities and at times his touch allowed too much of the ball to be available. 

 

Chance For Freemantle

Cambridge were poor. The worst team to play at Hereford in more than a year. Defenders Staszewski and Parr both disappointed with misplaced passes and poor touches aplenty. Yet rather than working on one of them for most of the game Freemantle let Cambridge’s best defender Black mark him. 

The worry is that he may be another ineffectual loan striker like Faal, Oppong and others in recent seasons who hangs around, contributing to the over £100,000 a season losses, but doesn’t score goals. Freemantle could not have asked for easier opponents on his debut. He will hopefully improve considerably. At least Rooney got a rest.

The worry was Cambridge might get back into the game, and when they next broke away Pond did well to deny Davies. Leech came on for Rolt. Lyden who had cruised through the game came on for Tolley, with Mendes moving to central midfield. Immediately a fine raking ball from Howkins found Tolley on the right. Jack slalomed past two defenders and drilled the ball just inside the far post.

 

The best of three excellent goals.

Now Hereford were on Easy Street. Babos flicking and tricking players and two gorgeous back heels to entertain the fans. There was more fun in this game than three of four of the other games this season  combined. It was noticeable how fit Hereford were as Cambridge wilted. Caddis brought on Stanley for Ceesay who went off to loud applause. Cambridge never got to grips with Yusifu and Staszewski probably had nightmares about him. In the second half Pond hit a sidewinder which was pass of the day and Ceesay was again away to torment the Fenmen.

Freemantle Scored Late In The Game But It Was Disallowed

In the history of Hereford FC one of the dirtiest sides they have played was Royston. Scott Bridges was nasty then and just the same now at Cambridge. Foul first play football second. It was bizarre that he was not booked earlier than the 75th minute. Just another example of how poor referee McQuillan was. Tsioninos replaced Broccoli.

Babos was taken off and Arthur came on. Alex was match sponsor Alpha HGV man of the match a good decision. Easily his best game for the Bulls, albeit against limited opponents. Mendes was booked for a late challenge when three goals up which was unnecessary. A very enjoyable afternoon’s football and Ceesay, Babos and Mendes made a very effective trident.