The Bulls travel to Crewe to open the new npower League Two season.
After a fifteen year break without a match, the two sides are meeting for the third successive season with the Bulls looking to even up the recent contests. The Railwaymen have won both matches at Gresty Road, with the Bulls winning one, and drawing one, at Edgar Street. The Bulls last win at Gresty Road came in 1986, with the hosts winning five of the seven games there since.
Crewe head into the season with a vastly reduced budget after an indifferent season last term. Dario Gradi starts another season at the age of 69 but another season of not a lot is expected from Crewe as they continue to focus their efforts on their Academy production line rather than ready made first teamers. Experienced strikers Calvin Zola and Clayton Donaldson are charged with improving their goalscoring records to justify their price tags. They haven't done that much in pre-season with goals at a premium at both ends.
The Bulls head north for the first genuine test of Simon Davey's newly assembled side. Performances have gone from the indifferent to the sublime in pre-season with goals flowing all ways. The fast attacking football should provide good entertainment, and the county's cat population should be safe with last season's mantra about clean sheets firmly thrown out of the window. The club has embraced the fans this summer, and they should be rewarded with a strong following on Saturday.
Crewe Alexandra vs Hereford United, Gresty Road, Saturday 7th August, 3.00pm.