If a week is a long time in politics then two weeks feels an age in Hereford FC terms. That glorious win over South Shields now a distant memory followed, as it sadly has been, by a succession of defeats. After Tuesday's latest setback, against Spennymoor, this felt like a must win. How to achieve it with tired legs against a team of young pampered professionals after their overnight stay in Redditch? Easier said than done, though our record against Buxton is decent, we play the spoilers and direct stuff to stop their pretty triangles.
A nice spring day until you countered the brisk, chill northerly, it may have looked tempting to be outside like last week before Macc but my pre match pint was prudently imbibed inside the pub.
I got to the ground a little earlier than usual to pick up a few Talking Bulls to sell in the Len Weston, I may be grumpy about bankrolled Buxton but their supporters were a friendly bunch who bought a few copies.
We lined up Richardson, James, Hudson, Quansah, Howkins, Skinner right midfield, Willcox and D'Ath central, Daly left, Lane (more of a 10 than a strike partner) and Munday up front.
The first aim was not to concede early again and that was achieved without alarm, not that we looked that threatening either. The promise came from Daly out left, arm still bandaged post Alfreton. His direct running and trickery looked as likely as anything to create an opening but nothing quite fell.
Shots from Lane and D'Ath were comfortably saved, Buxton had a dangerous free kick in Sohna territory that was blocked by the wall, just before the break Munday got free and found the rampaging Skinner but his drive was deflected for a corner.
A scrappy half, given my comment above on previous wins over Buxton that may have been ok if we'd found a way to unlock their defence but despite being, I felt, marginally the more likely we couldn't find that moment.
Second half we were into that northerly attacking the Meadow End and the pattern continued with both sides struggling to create worthwhile openings. I'd felt all along that our only real hope, especially given our punishing schedule, was to score, hang on and use our pace on the break. Sadly, it was the visitors who gained the upper hand on the hour; a corner wasn't cleared and the ball was scrambled home from close range, a poor goal to concede.
We tried to up our game and at times there was hope. Willcox shot over, a Munday flicked header went just wide of the near post and Lane took far too long to get a shot away when well positioned. Martin came on for James, then Willo for Lane, a rasping drive from Munday was well saved by the visiting keeper.
Naturally, Buxton, when not slowing the game down, looked to counter and Richardson made a good save after one such break and also acted as sweeper on several occasions.
Oppong came on for D'Ath and, later on, Donowa for Quansah as we tried desperately to find an equaliser, frankly I never felt it was coming for all our endeavour. The schedule was definitely having its effect too, several of our players did look more than a little leggy; one such moment highlighted this when the normally energetic and positive Hudson retrieved a cleared corner and his legs just seemed stuck (almost like that moment in a dream when you're chased but you can't move).
Buxton time wasted and shithoused, no worse than we'd have done if we'd been in front, and in the 6th minute of the extra 5, they broke away and added a, perhaps, inevitable second goal.
It felt a crushing blow, not just for one game but for the season, and the immediate crowd exodus indicated as much. With Oxford winning the gap has widened and the post match conversation was about which division we might end up in next season with what opposition. Over negative or reality? Either way, I'll be back for more on Tuesday.
Report from Nigel Preece.
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