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It's a grim time to be a Hereford fan. No league win for almost two months, but the call of Chester persuaded me to make the effort. And when I say the call of Chester, I'm not talking the football club, with its ground at the arse end of an industrial estate, I'm talking the city itself.
I caught an earlyish train from Cardiff, a direct service through Hereford arriving in Chester around 1230. It was good to catch up with Alan, of London Bulls fame, in the Cornerhouse, then the Old Harkers Arms. Given the sad news about John Newman I did reminisce a little about my first train trip to Chester a lifetime ago in 1984, got there stupidly early and had to walk round the walls as nothing was open yet (no such thing as Wetherspoons breakfast back then kids) followed by a serious pub crawl (probably a little too much for this awkward teenager) and a 1-0 win courtesy of Jimmy Harvey.
While on the subject of John Newman it would be remiss of me not to pay my own tribute. I saw only limited glimpses of our glory days and they were long past before I became a regular, the days of Frank Lord were mostly grim at the wrong end of Division 4. John Newman turned that round, using the good players we had already …. Price, Hicks (good to see him at the Deva again), Pejic, Harvey, Phillips etc supplemented by astute signings, John Delve perhaps his best one. The calendar year 1984 remains perhaps my favourite one as a Bull, we were outstanding, sadly never quite as good once the aforementioned John Delve was injured.
Back to the present, a whole afternoon spent in pubs isn't something I can really manage these days (I couldn't in 1984 but did anyway I suppose), so it was time for a stroll round the walls and find my accommodation for the night.
A quick visit to the Brewery Tap and the eccentric as it sounds Cavern of the Curious Gnome before decanting to Telford's Warehouse to meet a few other Bulls. Many of you will have visited this pub on your visits to the Deva, as it's the closest to the ground, still a hefty walk away.
A quick thought on the ground, it's functional but that's about all it has going for it, especially as a visitor. A horrible location, the above game in 1984 was at Sealand Rd of course, and considering Chester's exile at Macclesfield (I saw one of their games there) I guess many Seals will remain grateful with what they have. As much as I think relocation from Edgar Street can never be ruled out, I would, nonetheless, hate to end up with a similar arrangement, which you would suspect may be about the best we could hope for.
On to the game, we lined up 4411. Richardson, Skinner, Hudson, Howkins, Preston. Mafuta, D'Ath holding. Osborne and Sterling-James left and right, Hamilton behind loan striker McFarlane.
It didn't start well. We could have been dead and buried in the first 5 minutes; a fine save from Richardson, a goal disallowed for offside (they weren't happy and a home player received a yellow for his protests), an unseemly scramble and a couple of decent chances missed. Somehow we stayed level and our first sight of goal was an aggressive drive forward from young Hamilton (something he repeated often) followed by a shot well wide, but at least it was a sortie into the right area of the pitch.
Chester were targeting our inside left channel, trying and often succeeding in exposing Matt Preston. One such attack resulted in a Richardson save followed by two clearances off the line. While you couldn't fault the commitment, once again we looked far too fallible and it was hard to believe it remained goalless.
Richardson needed treatment after that escape, a scenario repeated halfway through the second half. I've no doubt it was genuine, our lot would never stoop to the game delaying shithousery of just about every other club would they?
Perhaps the break helped as the second quarter was less panicky and while Chester remained the more likely it was a more balanced contest. We did have one moment when Hamilton ran through on goal, the home keeper dived at his feet, the ref gave a corner under strong appeals for a penalty. Couldn't tell from our position at the other end (on the side again not behind the goal, Chester still being punished for the actions of a few morons a couple of years back).
Despite that denied penalty it was a relief when half time came, we'd survived, somehow, perhaps Chester would regret not capitalising on their dominance.
No changes at half time, but it was a brighter start and we were managing to get the game played further up the pitch at least, without really threatening.
10 minutes in Willo came on for McFarlane, a difficult one for the young loanee, he's not ugly enough to hold up play and bring others in and not quick and or experienced enough to know what channels to run into to try and stretch a defence.
Shortly after we took the lead. A wave of attacks led to a disorganised defence, D'Ath's cross from the left was attacked by Skinner and his fine header was directed perfectly back across the keeper.
Over the next 10 minutes or so we were as dominant as the home side were in first half patches; a succession of corners caused problems, a near post flick on from Willo hit the underside of the bar (it didn't go over the line despite some appeals) and a Howkins header also clattered the woodwork.
It didn't last and the game reverted to what you'd expect with the away side protecting a lead. However, Chester created little, one harsh free kick ended with a flying Richardson save, some hopeful long range shots caused no danger and most attacks were repelled without alarm. The bit I liked was we kept looking for a second and with more composure perhaps should have had it. Willlo showed Morecambe 2006 feet to create space, but his shot flew just over. Edwards, on for Hamilton, mishit a chance after a flowing break and White, on for Osborne, had two chances to shoot first time but dwelt too long (some rustiness there i suspect).
It was a sickener, therefore, when Chester equalised after 6 of the allotted minimum 8 minutes of injury time. A little bit of space for sub and last season's big buy, Woods, to run into but you couldn't fault the shot as he lashed the ball across Richardson into the corner for a well taken goal. The proverbial cat was kicked!
Hard to take getting so close to a much needed three points despite the fact it was overall perhaps a fair outcome and we'd have settled for a point in advance.
The test will be whether we can take that improved second half into the upcoming two home games.
Nigel Preece
A proud member of Johnny Newman's black and white army.