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It’s the two-whopping-great-counties-in-the-middle-of-nowhere derby on Tuesday night, with Herefordshire hosting Shropshire as Telford hop across to Edgar Street.
The acceptable face of Shropshire football even extends to wearing black and white (although not for this game, obvs); not for them the blue and amber of League 2 strugglers Bayston Hill FC.
The Bucks currently sit just two points above the relegation zone. However, there’s a feeling among their supporters that this is something of a false position, with several decent performances earlier in the season not being rewarded with any points.
That feeling seemed justified on Saturday as they eased to a hugely impressive 4-1 win at home over high-flying Scarborough. They’ve therefore scored ten goals in their last two games, which suggests that they’ve clicked somewhat of late, and will come into this game full of confidence.
Ex-Halifax striker Matty Stenson is now in his second spell at the Bucks Head, and is seen by the locals as key to securing the club’s NLN place this term. He scored 32 goals in the Southern League for them last season, and has six goals in all competitions this time.
In common with games against Kidderminster, there’s often a bit of an old-boys’ network feeling to games between these two sides. That’s not as apparent this time, but Orrin Pendley and Jordan Cranston should return to Edgar Street. Big Orrin’s an unlikely starter, but his eye for goal from set pieces is a danger if he does play a part, and Cranston will be delivering those set pieces for the visitors.
The Bucks have played some of their best football of the season so far in the FA Cup, knocking Kidderminster out and recently putting six past Darlington away from home. They were ‘rewarded’ for that with a trip to Sutton in the first round, which possibly doesn’t drip the sort of glamour they were hoping for from a first round tie.
A strong second half showing from Hereford on Saturday at leaders South Shields wasn’t enough to prevent a fifth league defeat of the season, and while Paul Caddis will take some heart from the performance, the competitive animal in him will be smarting from getting beaten again.
There are signs that the season is starting to show some shape and promise, but only a bounce-back win here will reinforce the idea that things may just be starting to come together.
It was hugely encouraging to see Gus Mafuta finally getting involved again against South Shields, with an hour on Saturday. Another bit-part role is most likely here as he eases himself back to full fitness.
Further encouragement can be found in the return on loan of Michael Parker, who got the Bulls goal on Saturday. Regardless of whether he’s nominally employed as a defender, wing-back, midfielder or winger, he’ll give the Telford right flank the heebie-jeebies in one way or another. Those mazy runs are a joy to behold, and his long throw is a potent weapon.
Caddis is also looking for reinforcements, specifically a striker, winger and midfielder. A new face or two could therefore be making debuts here. It’s a little unconventional to do your summer rebuild in October, but if it works there won’t be too many complaints by Christmas if the club’s challenging for a play-off place having cemented a position in the top half of the table.
On the opening day of this season, Kings Lynn beat Hereford at Edgar Street without breaking sweat, as the official summer rebuild showed signs of having fairly wonky foundations. Now the table shows Hereford sitting a place above the Linnets, which would have been unthinkable after that opening game.
That demonstrates, perhaps, that despite those five defeats Hereford have, this season, become better at doing what’s needed against sides below them, and, despite the form Telford currently find themselves in, they’re nevertheless below the Bulls in the table. Crucial points were dropped last season against bottom-six sides, but apart from the 2-2 home draw with Bedford things have improved on that front this time around, and even that Bedford game featured a gutsy comeback to secure a point.
Two weeks ago I looked at this as a forthcoming fixture and thought it might at best be a bland 1-1 draw. Two weeks on and it looks to have the potential to be a cracking little game between two improving sides.
COYW