Terry Goodwin reports on Hereford's first pre-season friendly.
What
is it about Wulfrunians and wonderstrikes? Eighteen months ago Pablo
Haysham scored a belter to earn Hereford a 2-1 away win, and tonight we
saw a cracker from Jimmy Oates in the opening pre-season friendly of
2017/18 as the Bulls were defeated 3-1.
In
the club's first season, the Staffordshire side provided one of the
sternest tests as the Bulls clinched the Midlands League title.
There
had been rain throughout the day at Castlecroft Stadium, but it eased
in time for kick-off. Hereford, in their yellow shirts, had plenty of
familiar faces in the starting eleven with new additions Jack Deaman
from Gloucester, Garyn Preen from Evesham and Keyon Reffell from Merthyr
among those opening the match. There were another eleven on the bench
including several youth teamers, which must've been a tight squeeze!
There
were some lively opening exchanges. A free kick swept in by Haysham
after seven minutes was cleared courtesy of a defender's arm, and Mark
Preece's header from the subsequent corner was also deflected away.
Two minutes later, Hereford were ahead. A curling Jimmy Oates strike from at least twenty five yards out beat the goalkeeper at the near post. It looked an almost impossible angle given he was deep on the right channel as the Australian full-back fired goalwards.
The
first sustained pressure on the Hereford defence saw them conceding. A
Wulfrunians corner was nodded home by Matt Hunt, who found space in the
box after 20 minutes. Hereford had further chances as the first half
progressed and rain started pelting down, including a lively Garyn Preen
strike pushed away by the goalkeeper, a Reffell pull back to Jamie Edge
tipped over the crossbar, and then a goal line clearance in the dying
stages of the first half. The Bulls even found the net courtesy of a
Wulfrunians defender's head, but it was ruled out for a push.
The
Bulls started the second half with Oliver Davies replacing Martin
Horsell in goal. After an hour, Pete Beadle made more changes: Mills,
Edge, McGrath, Preen and Preece came off, replaced by Purdie, Dinsley,
Molyneux, Symons. and Green.
As
the match progressed, the pace slowed with fewer clear cut chances.
Under the floodlights, Wulfrunians continued to fight against their
higher-graded opponents and took the lead with 17 minutes to go.
Substitute Alex Solomon fired home from close range.
Then
the remaining members of the starting eleven were replaced by Beadle.
It was the turn of the youngsters: Dan Pugh, George Hayes, Greg Preece,
Harry Franklin and Euan Richards.
With
five minutes to go, Wulfrunians made it 3-1 as Dan Sweeney pulled the
ball out wide following a Purdie error, and then ran at goal, firing low
past Davies.
It
was a good workout for the Bulls, who created more chances in the first
half than their single goal suggests. It'll be the eleven that finished
tonight's game who will start tomorrow's friendly against Lads Club,
Pete Beadle confirmed afterwards, as the Bulls boss looks to give every
player match experience in the early stages of pre-season.
Starting XI: Horsell, Oates, Bowen, Edge, Deaman, M. Preece, Preen, McGrath, Mills, Haysham, Reffell.
Starting XI: Horsell, Oates, Bowen, Edge, Deaman, M. Preece, Preen, McGrath, Mills, Haysham, Reffell.