A 2-0 home victory against a struggling Exeter side continued our good form this season, and put is good stead for a tricky run upto Christmas
Wednesday saw us switch our home venue from Edgar Street to Victoria Park. Before we made the short trip from the stadium we got to watch 40 minutes of Herefords first team training session. It was interesting and my first glimpse of this seasons squad and training, and as our boys also sat and watched it gave me a few points I wanted to get across to them during the pre-game team talk.
One thing we'd spoke about this week is far ability can get you, and how much further you can go with the right attitude and mentality. For us, this will decide whether we finish around mid table in our league or whether we can push for a very respectable top 4 place, maybe top or second, and against a team struggling for points this season it would be our mental attitude which was lacking in the youth cup at Bilston which would see us past Exeter.
We started the game well, Robbie Trumper hitting the bar with a delightful chip in the opening minute of the game and controlled the 90 minutes from there. They had a long range shot which also cannoned off the crossbar after 10 minutes but that was as close as Exeter came to unsettling us in a solid performance.
Our first goal came from an Alex Lilwall freekick, finished by Chris May who poached in front of Liam Taylor. Liam rolled off in a hand wagging celebration hoping to claim it, but Steve Nibletts photographic evidence showed Chris was the scorer. This was after 31 minutes and with a better final ball in we would of added to the lead before halftime with our back 4 giving nothing away and Benn Pugh in goal actually only touching the ball once in the last 15minutes of the half.
We haven't controlled games for 90 minutes this season, something any team struggles to do but this game was different. Chris May, the 'beast', was brought off at half time after suffering from concussion and Matty James filled in at centre half to allow Matty Owen to come on left wing. The second half saw some chances come and go for us, Alex Lilwall having 2 one on one chances and seeing his lob sail just over the bar on one occasion. Will Lawey worked hard to create a good chance and fired just wide, and we had some long range efforts from Tom Gameson and Lewis Fletcher well held by the keeper as we passed and played well. We had to wait for the 90th minute for the crucial second goal, good work from Gameson and a superb cross found Lilwall in the box to head home and complete a great days work.
This was probably our best performance to date, I couldnt of been happier with it but after the game I still mentioned a few things we need to work on and explained to the lads that whether a 2-0 victory or a 4-0 defeat, we can still improve and if I am still shouting at someone in the 90th minute it is because I want them to improve.
Next up is an away trip to a strong Plymouth team who will want to be challenging for a top 4 spot themselves this season so it will be a real test. Then comes our giant killers cup and 2 games against top of the Burton Albion separated by our away game at Chelsea in the National Cup. 5 very tough games in a row and will test the lads strongly. We look forward to it.
Team: Benn Pugh