Cowley Can't Stop Scoring For Halesowen

 

A change of club and league seems to have done the trick for Jason Cowley.

After a difficult couple of seasons with Hereford Cowley has settled in at Halesowen and started scoring again.

To date he has found the back of the net 20 times, including a brace yesterday, in all competitions in 24 games.

Contrast that with the fact that Hereford have only scored 27 goals, including in the FA Cup and FA Trophy, so far. That's in 21 games.

Of course one will never know if Cowley had been retained for another season at Hereford whether he would have refound his form.

But with his current form it seems likely he will be noticed by clubs at a higher level than Halesowen.  

Hereford Women - Today's Game Postponed

Hereford Women's league fixture against Redditch set to take place at Edgar Street this afternoon has been postponed.

Part of the pitch remains waterlogged. 

Caddis Taks About Going Hybrid

 

 

At the shareholders meeting last Wednesday there was a discussion about the idea of the club going from part time to becoming a hybrid club.

Whilst it appears that the club board are keen to make the move they are concerned at the added costs involved.

Manager Paul Caddis appears to agree. He told BBC Hereford and Worcester his feelings in an interview on Friday.

"It's just common sense," said Caddis.

"Clubs have got more time on the pitch.

"I believe there are a lot of clubs looking at taking that step or have already taken that step.

"Southport ideally want to go full time imminently, Alfreton I believe want to do the same. I think they've got nine or ten full time at the moment from conversations with the previous manager.

"I know Chorley have an option of an extra training session, Chester are hybrid and then you have all the full time teams, Oxford City are full time.

"You are looking at probably the best part of 14/15 clubs who have a optional third night. They are either full time or hybrid.

"It is difficult but there is a fine balance of if you take that next step you have to do it properely.

"I'm a big believer in if you are going to do it, do it because  you plan to do it for the next four, five, six years with a succession plan to do it.

"Don't do it because there is outside noise to do it. Of course everybody wants to bridge the gap but in our instance as a football club what the chairman and the board don't want is let's take that next step next year and things don't go to plan.

"It will be a difficult transition especially when you go hybrid and you want to try and bring players in, location wise for Hereford is there accomodation available, how much are you going to pay me because I'll be travelling, so travelling expenses on top.

"There's loads that go into it and you're going to have to attract age brackets of 18/19 year old players just out of acadamies, and first team seniors with experience. It's not straight forward.

"I listened to the chairman's interview a few days ago, it's not as straight forward as probably meets the eye from the outside, there's so much in it.

"There's medical care that has to be expanded, you are going to have medical care on site at all times, you are probably going to have extra coaches and an analyst.

"The club has made unbelievable strides in two seasons, I know right now it's not going as well as we thought but there was always going to come a time it would plateau and calm down because, to be brutal we've over-achieved for two seasons, we've lifted the expectations.

"And now I know there is added pressure  and noise and all the rest of it because of where we are and I'm fine with that because I'm looking past that and seeing the positivity.

"The reason there is so much negativity at the moment is because we've raised the expectation and I'm proud of that and I'm still fighting every day to try and meet that expectation.

"To get to the next level it has to be football wise worth it but obviously business wise and for the longevity of the club it has been done in a safe manner.

"But at a football club like Hereford with the demand of support that the club have, then to do both at the same time is going to be really difficult in terms of taking the next step  and also expecting to be successful." 

This Afternoon's National North League Results

Alfreton v Southport (Postponed)

Bedford 3 Darlington 4

Buxton 1 Merthyr Town 2

Curzon Ashton 1 AFC Fylde 3

Hereford v Marine (Postponed)

Kidderminster 3 Chorley 1

Leamington 1 Worksop 2

Macclesfield 1 Scarborough 1

Oxford City 0 Kings Lynn 1

Radcliffe 2 AFC Telford 2

South Shields v Peterborough Sports (Postponed)

Spennymoor Town v Chester (Abandoned after 56 minutes - weather related)

Hereford remain in 22nd position. 

Former Hereford loanee Charlie Cooper started for Kidderminster and scored for Chorley. 

From The Archives - Drainage Improvements At Edgar Street

After it was announced that today's game at Edgar Street had been called off, Hereford chairman Chris Ammonds spoke about drainage problems at the ground.

He mentioned that it had been some years since much work had been done.

That work was in May 2013.

A look back:

The cost of the current drainage improvements to the Edgar Street pitch is around £40,000. Hopefully the cost will be met by supporters 'purchasing' square's of the pitch which cost from £25.

The work on the pitch is part of a three year scheme to ensure that Edgar Street is playable in all but the most extreme conditions.

The work is needed as, other than the sprinkler system, hardly any money has been spent on it since Graham Turner arrived at the club late last century.

Ian Pritchard In Front Of The Machine That Puts Clean Stone Over The New Drains

 

Earlier today Ian Pritchard from Mowtech who looks after the pitch spoke about the work.

"The firm (Clive Richardson Ltd) that has come in to do all the work on the drainage and the re-seeding, they've done jobs in Brazil, Ukraine, everywhere, so they know what they are doing.

"Before they started they did a lot of work seeing what the soil count was, seeing the parts of the ground that get flooded. There are different soil types.

"Firstly they scarified the pitch to get all the dead stuff out, then once the drains are in, they will resurface the pitch with soil and sand.

"After that they will 'earth-quake' the pitch. What that does is it puts a big slit in the ground, which you don't hardly see, about 14 inches deep just over the top of the drains. The machine vibrates the ground to help break up any clay or hard soil.

"Over a three year period this first lot of drainage is the main drainage.

"You've got two drains going down either side of the pitch that go into two big water tanks which have got pumps in.

One Of The Two Big Water Tanks Being Installed

 

"Then they will put in secondary drains every five metres across the pitch.

The Len Weston Side With Drains Crossing The Pitch

"After their reseeding it's up to me to maintain it.

"We have a fertiliser company that comes in and does a programme. Again they take soil counts. 

"This company also does the Millenium Stadium and Cardiff City so they know what they are doing.

"Anybody can chuck some fertiliser on there and it will last a week but we need it to last a lot longer.

"They also use a fertiliser which stops the grass growing up but makes it grow sideways."

Several games at Edgar Street were postponed last winter because of all the wet weather. And to make it worse at times the players had to train on the pitch as there was nowhere else available

"My main aim is to keep them off here from training. It's no good spending money here and not spending money on training grounds.

"We've got a limited amount of funds and it's hard work keeping a ground looking nice and playing well especially if you've got training and trial games on it.

"This is why we are doing a sponsor a patch of Edgar Street which will help pay for the work. (More details - http://bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/auction-open-for-prime-pitch-spots.html )

"They are going to be here for a week to ten days. It will cost about £40,000.

"If we could sell half of the pitch squares that would pay the £40,000. More than that would go towards the training grounds."

For a time last season the pitch had been well-rated by visiting teams and officials.

"Every game has a mark from the opposition and the referee. They mark the pitch out of five.

"I looked at the markings after the Cheltenham replay here (Dec 11th) and we were in the top three pitches in the Conference.

"Then the weather came and the pitch couldn't stand it. The water table rose and we had snow and frost. We hadn't got sufficient drainage.

"Although we're spending £40,000 on this, we cancelled the Newport game which cost the club £20,000. It's false ecomony if we haven't got games on this pitch.

"So please buy your squares to help us."

The Grass Area Around The Pitch Is Being Extended

 

The contractors will be back next spring.

"Next year it's planned to spend another £12,000 on some more drains and the following year another £8,000 or so.

"Over the years nothing has been spent on it along with other parts of the ground.

"My aim is to get the pitch playable every week and get the training grounds better as well."

 

Cooper joins Kiddy

Charlie Cooper has joined Kidderminster on loan.

The Yeovil midfielder was on loan at Hereford, but returned to Huish Park when that ended.

However, Kidderminster have confirmed he's now joined them on loan until January and goes straight into their squad for today's game against Chorley.

Drains At Edgar Street Need Renewing?

Hereford chairman Chris Ammonds has spoken about why today's game against Marine has been called off.

There was heavy rain in Hereford last night and a small area of the pitch was waterlogged this morning when a decision to call off the game was taken.

"Absolutely gutted is the reality of the situation," said the chairman.

"Taking aside we were desparate to get the game of football on and try and build some momentum, we've got full hospitality today.

"But we've been left with no choice.

"A football league qualified official came here at 8AM just to have a look as a precaution more than anything.

"But there's been more rain overnight than we expected and there is an area of the pitch which people will know the area  of the pitch we are talking about. There was standing water on it, the top of the surface is so spongy and so soft it's just dangerous.

"We think there is a real issue with the drainage in that particular area, I think the drainage across the whole pitch is coming to the end of its life.

"£80,000 was spent on it fifteen/sixteen years ago but there is a lifespan to the drainage and we think maybe it's coming to the end of its life.

"The flood light work has probably not helped as well with the heavy equipment on the pitch in that corner. Almost the perfect storm, the water isn't getting away, it's sitting in that corner.

"And the problem we've got is that it's not been dry enough to dry it out.

"We are gutted.

"95% of the pitch is perfectly fine but there is an area which is really dangerous." 

As for the future the Chairman is hoping work can be done before pre-season.

"The aim is to get the drainage replaced next summer as we've got to do a full pitch refurb next summer anyway. 

"An opportunity to do everything at the same time.

"It will be costly but it's got to be done. There's no point doing the top of the pitch if the drainage underneath isn't working." 

The chairman's quotes are from: https://herefordfc.co.uk/2025/11/interview-chairman-chris-ammonds-after-todays-postponed-match/  

Hereford Women At ES Tomorrow

Updated article:

Hereford Women are set to play Halesowen at Edgar Street tomorrow afternoon according to the fixture list on the Hereford OS. However the FA say that the game is against Redditch.

That assumes the pitch has dried out enough after last night's heavy rain.

Kick-off is at 2pm.

On This Day In 2013

November 29th 2013, not a good day for Hereford United. Put out of the FA Trophy by Woking and the financial position getting worse.

A look back: 

Bulls Fall at First Hurdle

Captain Josh O'Keefe And Sam Smith about To Kick-Off Into The Bright Sunlight

 

United boss Martin Foyle made two changes ahead of today’s FA Trophy match against Woking. Both Chris Bush and Damon Lathrope dropped to the bench in favour of Joel Edwards and Dan Walker respectively.

Dan Walker In The Starting Eleven

 

With £5000 reward for the winners, this was a game that United needed to win.

The Bulls started off attacking the Blackfriars End and with Artus restored into the heart of midfield, he gifted Sam Smith a great chance to send the Bulls ahead, but his long ball was just out of reach and went out for a Woking goal kick.

Loanee Micah Evans won an early free kick 20 yards out and was taken by Artus. Instead of playing the ball into the Woking box he chose to pass back to Leadbitter who under pressure lost possession and Woking carried the ball into the box and Scott Rendell made no error in burying the ball into the back of Lloyd-Weston’s net.

As soon as United restarted play, Captain O’Keefe fed a ball through to Smith, who blazed his shot well over visiting keeper, Sam Beasent’s goal.

A chance to equalise came after 20 minutes for the Bulls, after O’Keefe headed Edwards’ pin point cross onto the cross bar, but United’s skipper was quickly deemed offside by the linesman.

Artus won possession in the middle of the field, passed to Rankine who set up Walker to make a decent shot from the left, but his effort deflected out. The resulting corner was sent deep into the box, but eventually cleared by Woking’s defence.

With little under 15 minutes remaining of the first period, Jack Marriott managed to double Woking’s lead. After making it past some sloppy Hereford defending, Bulls’ keeper Lloyd-Weston parried Marriott’s shot, only for him to follow up and plant the ball in the far corner of the net.

Sam Smith Fends Off Two Woking Players

 

Hereford were on the attack when Smith was brought down, winning a free kick in Woking’s half. Artus sent the ball into the box, only for it to be instantly headed away. With Woking retaining possession from the clearance, they wrapped up the game on 37 minutes. Lloyd-Weston made two great parries, but the third shot saw Rendell get his second as he side-footed the ball home.

Rankine missed a great chance of scoring on the stroke of half time, heading a cross from Walker agonisingly wide from 6 yards.

The Soup Was Better Than The Football

 

HT: Hereford 0 – Woking 3

As Hereford looked to drag themselves back into the game, they restarted in a 3-5-2 formation; Eric Odhiambo replaced the ineffective Sam Smith, and Joel Edwards, who made his starting debut, made way for loanee Damon Lathrope who Martin Foyle presumably was resting because of picking up 4 yellow cards in previous games.

Hereford looked more enthusiastic going into the second period, with Artus blasting an early 20 yard effort, just wide.

Artus was yet again involved in the build up to a decent chance, as he sent a long ball into the box which O’Keefe converted, but the goal was ruled out by the referee as O’Keefe was offside.

Sub Eric Odhiambo Appeared To Be Tripped But No Free-Kick Given

 

As the half wore on, Hereford used the services of wingers Walker and Evans, who did well to set up numerous  chances in the 18 yard box. But the Bulls’ have gone back to lacking that cutting edge in the final third.

Leadbitter had the opportunity of scoring a consolation goal for the Whites in the dying stages of the game as, he broke free from defence and ran the length of the field to send a promising ball into the box, only for it to be caught by Beasent.

Woking could have added another goal to the score sheet deep in stoppage time, as Lloyd-Weston did well to save Giuseppe Sole’s close range shot.

FT: Hereford 0 – Woking 3

Att: 1,041 with 39 from Woking.

This was a very lacklustre performance by the Bulls after a four game unbeaten run, hopefully they have got it out of their system and can gain the points needed to stave off the threat of the dreaded R word.

Nuneaton next up at Edgar Street, so they will have to be on top form for that one. It can only be better than today’s performance.

Hereford: Lloyd-Weston, Leadbitter, McDonald, Collins, Edwards (Lathrope 46’), Walker, O’Keefe, Artus, M. Evans, Smith (Odhiambo 46’), Rankine. Subs not used: R Evans, Bush, Graham.
Woking: Beasant, Ricketts, McNerney, Cester, Nutter, Betsy, Murtagh, Payne (Parkinson 65’), Banya (Newton 72’), Rendell (Sole 78’), Marriott. Subs not used: Howe, Goddard.

See you on Saturday.

 

Trophy Defeat Makes Financial Position Even Worse

This afternoon's defeat in the FA Trophy has made the financial position even worse at Edgar Street.

Losing the game has denied the Bulls the £5000 prize money and another game in the competition.

But it's not only that.

The poor performance by the side, especially in the first half, led to chants of 'what a load of rubbish' at the final whistle.

Those who didn't come today aren't likely to return in droves to next Saturday's Conference match against Nuneaton.

Earlier this week BN reported that more cuts were expected at the club.

It's now understood some off the pitch staff are to lose their jobs and that might be just the tip of the cuts.

The gate money from the game is unlikely to be more than £10k which probably means about £4k for the Bulls. Add to that perhaps £1k from catering and programmes and it's not hard to work out that the club can't function as it is on this level of income. 

 

Keyte Talks About Financial Position

Hereford United chairman David Keyte has spoken to the Hereford Times about why the decision has been taken to introduce more cuts at Edgar Street.

"We have decided that we have to continue with further cutbacks," Keyte told Richard Prime of the HT.

"We made the decision after Tuesday night’s fixture with Halifax, with a gate of about 1,100, allowed us to bank around £3,000. 

"We had been contemplating cutbacks for a few weeks and probably should have done it sooner.

"We have decided to cut back on hours; the bars will not now open until 6pm."

The cuts include staff such as club secretary Lee Symonds and other office staff being put on a three day week and two of the catering staff, Richard Fletcher and his assistant Shirley Cannan, who have also had their hours reduced and are understood to be considering their position.

The Starlite Rooms will be closed to the public until 6pm at night.

"Basically, the facility will not be open to the public during the day, which is the exact opposite of what we set out to do, but the bars will be open for 6pm and we will still be open for functions and bookings," said Keyte.

Woking winning the FA Trophy match this afternoon hasn't helped admitted Keyte.

"We want to stay in cup competitions – it keeps the season going - but today it was job done at half-time. 

"The financial facts are that we are losing £30,000 per month, and we now believe that we are taking £7-800 per month out in terms of the non-football departments by this move, so we are clearly not going to balance the books by this."

 

List Of Fixtures For December

Currently Hereford FC have six fixtures set to be played in December.

Saturday, December 6: Peterborough Sports (h) – 3pm

Tuesday December 9th: Scarborough (a) - 7.45pm 

Saturday, December 13: Isuzu FA Trophy 3 - Radcliffe (h)

Saturday, December 20: Chorley (a) – 3pm

Friday, December 26: Kidderminster Harriers (h) – 3pm

Tuesday, December 30: Merthyr Town (a) – 7.45pm?

 

It is not confirmed that the game at Merthyr on December 30th is a 7.45pm kick-off. 

 

Today's game is off

Today's match between Hereford and Marine has been called off due to some areas of the pitch being waterlogged.

It is the second successive Saturday the Bulls has seen a game being postponed, with last week's away match at Scarborough being called off due to snow.

An earlier home match against Macclesfield was also postponed because of the rain.

Today's National North League Fixtures

A list of the fixtures set to take place in the National North League this afternoon:

Alfreton v Southport

Bedford v Darlington

Buxton v Merthyr Town

Curzon Ashton v AFC Fylde

Hereford v Marine (Postponed)

Kidderminster v Chorley

Leamington v Worksop

Macclesfield v Scarborough

Oxford City v Kings Lynn

Radcliffe v AFC Telford

South Shields v Peterborough Sports (Postponed)

Spennymoor Town v Chester 

 

Cooper Returns To Yeovil

 

Midfielder Charlie Cooper has returned to Yeovil from Hereford as his loan spell has come to an end.

Yeovil say that Cooper will be back out on loan to another National North League club.

More details are expected tomorrow. 

Arsenal remembers Colin Addison at Champions League match

Hereford United giant-killing manager Colin Addison was remembered by Premier League leaders, Arsenal this week.

The 85-year-old featured on the Gunners' matchday programme for the Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich on Wednesday night. 

A tannoy announcement was also made prior to the game, with the club saying it was deeply saddened to hear about Addison's recent passing, and their thoughts were with his family. 

Addison joined Arsenal from Sheffield United in 1966, scoring nine goals in 28 appearances. A return to the Blades followed, before signed for Hereford in 1971.

The following year was arguably Addison's greatest year, masterminding the Bull's infamous FA Cup win over Newcastle at Edgar Street, which helped launch John Motson's career behind the microphone, and made players like Ronnie Radford and Ricky George into household names.

It also helped Hereford - then a Southern League club - be elected into the Football League and start a tremendous period in which it reached the second tier.

In total, Addison managed 18 clubs, including two spells at Edgar Street. As well as in England and Wales, he also took charge of sides in South Africa, the Middle East and Spain, including famous clubs like Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo.

A memorial service celebrating Addison's life will take place at Hereford Cathedral at 11.30am on 5 February, 2026 - 53 years to the day of the famous Newcastle game. 

Donations to Dementia UK and the Jeff Astle Foundation can be made by clicking on the respective links. 

All enquiries regarding the memorial service should be done by calling Lisa Addison on 07932 684539 or emailing ColinAddisonMemorial@gmail.com

Personally Challenging Three Months Said Caddis

 

In his programme notes for tomorrow's game against Marine, Hereford manager Paul Caddis admitted that the last three months had been testing.

I’ll be honest — the past three months have been personally challenging. I was extremely
reluctant to share this publicly, and it isn’t something I ever wanted to talk about. But I
constantly ask my players to be open, honest and brave enough to face things head-on, and I can’t ask that of them without living by those same values myself.

The club received a threatening letter addressed to me which was a personal threat which soon followed a direct message in relation to my young family and the club immediately involved the police and reviewed security protocols. I would have preferred to keep it private, but transparency matters — especially when I’m asking the same from the people I lead. 

This period has tested me in ways I’ve never experienced, but let me be absolutely clear: 

I will not walk away from tough times.

I will not be intimidated. 

And I will never be scared off by threats aimed at my young family. Like any father, I will protect my children with everything I have. That determination only strengthens my desire to succeed for this football club.

I want to focus on football and be criticised for my decisions on the pitch - that’s part of the job, and always will be. Anything beyond that isn’t acceptable, and I will never back down in saying so.

Let’s stick together in these tough times because there’s no getting away from it - it is a difficult period for all of us: staff, players and supporters. Your support has been exceptional. I applaud you win, lose or draw after every single game and that cannot be questioned. 

Come and get behind the players like you always do and help us all through these difficult moments.

A man who has managed at the top end of world football reached out to me in the past few weeks and said something that will stay with me:

“Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes."

Campbell Suffers 'Freak' Accident

 

Hereford's Remaye Campbell has suffered a 'freak' accident whilst at work.

The striker missed last Tuesday's game at Chester and will miss tomorrow's home game against Marine.

Campbell works at a school and sustained ankle ligament damage whilst playing with the pupils. 

"He was just playing with the kids and chasing one of them and having fun with them as his job entails," Hereford manager Paul Caddis told BBC Hereford and Worcester. 

"He's just tripped, that's basically it.

"Just an accident that turned out to be a bit more serious than just a fall." 

Hereford 19/20 To Defeat Marine

Jason Cowley After Scoring For Hereford Against Marine Last Season

 Given Hereford's recent form it seems unlikely they will repeat last season's 4-0 victory over Marine at Edgar Street tomorrow.

But the bookmakers are offering prices of around 19/20 on a Hereford win.

Currently Hereford are 22nd in the table with 17 points from 17 games.

Marine are 5th with 30 points from 19 games. 

Last Tuesday evening Hereford drew 1-1 at Chester (14th) whilst Marine saw off Kidderminster (10th) 2-0. 

Hereford's home record is won 2, Drawn 3 and lost 3.

Marine's away record is won 5, drawn 1 and lost 3.

As for goal difference Hereford's is -9, whilst Marine's is -4 - somewhat surprising given they are 5th in the table.

Recent form:

Hereford DLLWD

Marine DWWDW

Hereford 19/20  Draw 5/2  Away 11/4 

National North League Weekend Preview

Jason Cowley Scores For Hereford In Last Season's Game Against Marine

 A look at the fixtures in the National North League this weekend written by Richard  Dorman:

The November schedule comes to a close on Saturday evening – but who’ll be three points better off when final whistles sound on the fixtures in the Enterprise National League North?

The fixtures are poised to deliver the drama on another high-octane weekend.

South Shields remain top of the pile despite suffering two draws and a defeat in league action this month. Peterborough Sports, whose consecutive home wins have elevated them out of the relegation zone, are making the 400-mile round-trip.

Just two points off top sit AFC Fylde, who brushed aside last weekend’s home defeat to Buxton by drubbing Macclesfield 5-1 in midweek. They have the shortest journey of the weekend to Curzon Ashton.

Darlington kept the Nash out of the play-off places by salvaging a 3-3 draw in the week. They are away this weekend, making their inaugural trip to a Bedford Town outfit who have suffered five defeats in their past six fixtures in league and cup.

12th-placed Buxton know the threat that Merthyr Town will bring this weekend. Hotshot Ricardo Rees has 23 goals to his name so far this season… more than six other teams have in total! His firepower has headlined a seven-game winning streak in the league for the Welsh outfit.

Below Merthyr, a seven-point gap has opened up until Scarborough and Marine, who sit fourth and fifth respectively, separated by goal-difference. The pair both hit the road this weekend; the Seadogs visit Macclesfield, whose eight-game unbeaten run was ended in midweek, while the Mariners head to Hereford, who fell into the drop-zone last Saturday.

Chester kept the Bulls beneath the dotted line by salvaging a late, late draw at home in midweek courtesy of Connor Woods. Now they hit the road to Spennymoor Town, who are on a tough run of six defeats, two draws and a solitary win in their previous nine.

Radcliffe have occupied a play-off berth for precisely 10 weeks – but after back-to-back losses to nil at struggling sides, they’ll need to be wary of their guests AFC Telford United, fresh from a fine display last time out.

It was Oxford City who suffered a confidence-denting 4-0 loss to the Bucks on Tuesday… by contrast, Saturday’s visitors to the MGroup Stadium, King’s Lynn Town, had a morale-boosting victory in the week when they came from two down to win.

Leamington still prop up the table; they may sense an opportunity to make ground on one of their competitors when Worksop Town visit the spa town. The Tigers are 20th in the table, which puts them above the relegation line – just.

On the other side of the line sit Alfreton Town, who have a chance to climb back out on Saturday with a win over Southport – a home victory would see them leapfrog their visitors.

Last, and by no means least, Kidderminster Harriers welcome Chorley to Aggborough. Two points and one place divide the pair – 10th and 11th respectively going into the weekend. The Magpies have triumphed on the last three league meetings between these sides. 

We all follow a team against Marine

…to the tune of Yellow Submarine, like, obvs.

Hereford FC take their two-game unbeaten run into a home match against Marine on Saturday, hoping to put a bit more distance between themselves and the bottom of the league with a win.

Talk of unbeaten runs is of course fooling no-one given that the Bulls haven’t won in the league since 4 October at Leamington. That near-two-month barren patch sees them sitting third bottom, but with two games in hand over the clubs above them.

If Paul Caddis can turn things round, winning those games in hand would put the Bulls six points behind Darlington in the final play-off position with over half the season still to play. That’s one take on things! There are admittedly others, arguably more realistic. 

Marine have had an excellent start to the season and sit in fifth position. They don’t tend to draw away from home and they’re in no way prolific scorers, and, given that the hosts aren’t either, those two stats may point to a 1-0 home win, which would do very nicely.

The Mariners owe their fifth position in the table to a 2-0 midweek home win against misfiring Kidderminster.

They took a while to acclimatise to the National League North last season following promotion, and looked way off it at Edgar Street in terms of quality (not much) and naivity (loads), but quickly turned things around and finished 19 points clear of the drop in losing just two of their last ten games. There’s very little chance of them exhibiting any of that naivity this time.

Bobby Grant is their manager, and something of a ‘Mr Marine’ having also played for and captained the club.

If this isn’t to go the same way as so many other home games this season, Tuesday night’s goalscorer Aaron Skinner will be required to keep Fin Sinclair-Smith quiet. The diminutive ex-Radcliffe left-winger is having a fruitful season and will give the Hereford defence plenty to think about, as will centre forward George Newell, who Harriers struggled to contain on Tuesday. In fact they struggled and then failed, as he scored.

It was very nearly only the second clean sheet of the season at Chester on Tuesday for the Bulls, a stat which tells its own story. Signs were there that a bit more defensive resilience is emerging, but it was all-too-familiar when, in the build-up to the late equaliser, several opportunities to clear or get a telling challenge in presented themselves and weren’t taken.

If Marine are repeatedly able to stroll through the Hereford ranks almost as they please like Telford and Curzon Ashton did in recent games at Edgar Street, it would suggest that this season really could get dicey, as no progress would have been made in recent weeks. However, Caddis now has a fully fit midfield to pick from, which wasn’t the case in those aforementioned matches, and that should make a difference in breaking up counter-attacks.

He also now has Harley Hamilton and Jaiden White as attacking options, so if some defensive steel can ensure that the visitors don’t score early, there’s a platform for the creative players in forward positions (and the squad isn’t short of those) to take the game away from the Merseysiders.    

Remaye Campbell’s a doubt here, and Andy Williams may get the nod over loanee Callum McFarlane as the loan striker supported by those ‘creative players in forward positions’.

Another 2500ish gate here should see us all patting ourselves on the back, or having each other sectioned. One or the other.

Peterborough at home follows this. They’re improving and a bit bogeyish, but that’s looking like a must-win. You know, like Oxford and Southport were.

Anyway, never mind a narrow 1-0 win. This ends 3-0 to the home side with a tactically astute and attractively delivered masterclass in how to win football matches in the National League North. I’m convinced of it.

And a belated word on John Newman. That mid-80s side he managed was what got me properly addicted to this ultimately futile passion we pursue with such vigour.

Enjoying sides capable of almost inevitably winning football matches doesn’t happen often when you’re an H(U)FC supporter, but that 1984/85 side was one, GT built another, and then Beadle’s sides cantered through the pub leagues as the new club.

For Newman to have had such an effect so quickly though was incredible.

Having titled this preview with a reworking of a favourite Hereford song from history, I’ll end with one from even further back that on many occasions gave me goosebumps as a schoolkid looking across, wide-eyed and impressionable, at the Meadow End:

“Johnny Newman’s black and white army”. RIP.

COYW