The Bulls hit the road for the second time in five days
tomorrow, with the Yeomans satnav set for Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester,
for their third outing in the VNLN as, er, no-one’s really calling it, against
Curzon Ashton.
Tuesday’s hard working 0-0 draw at Nuneaton contrasted with
the impressive footballing performance against Blyth, but demonstrated another
important facet to the new squad – the ability to grittily compete to get
something from the game. Having dominated early on without actually breaking
the deadlock, Hereford then at least matched their full-time opponents for the
rest of the match.
The fact that this will be the third game in eight days
could bring a change or two to the starting XI. This may mean some straight
swaps (Dinsley for McGrath perhaps), and maybe something slightly more
surprising. Jamie Bird was given a few minutes at the end of the game on
Tuesday and in that short time hinted at his potential for unlocking defences,
so perhaps he could be considered, with JMW stepping down to the bench.
Unfortunately, it looks like this may be a match too soon
for Keyon Reffell to be in contention as he recovers from his foot injury.
Curzon finished 18th last season, like next Tuesday’s opponents
Leamington finishing on 49 points, just three clear of relegation. This
season they’ve experienced mixed fortunes in their opening two games,
creditably coming away from Darlington with the points after a narrow 2-1 win,
but then getting comfortably beaten 3-0 at home to strongly fancied Chester on
Monday. They’ve therefore enjoyed a slightly longer period of recovery than
Hereford.
Fans may remember that a couple of seasons ago Westfields
took the Mancunians to a replay in the first round of the Cup, losing 3-1 away
after holding them to a 1-1 draw on Widemarsh Common.
Of course, it’s still far too early in the season to
confidently identify winnable games, but given that Curzon struggled last
season, and have never played at a higher level than this in their history, it
certainly looks to be one to be optimistic about.
Regardless of the score on the hour, I for one would like to see Pete Beadle show some faith in the players he’s got on the bench and make a change or two to keep things fresh, especially as the first three games will have been more or less back-to-back in warm weather, inevitably causing fatigue.
Regardless of the score on the hour, I for one would like to see Pete Beadle show some faith in the players he’s got on the bench and make a change or two to keep things fresh, especially as the first three games will have been more or less back-to-back in warm weather, inevitably causing fatigue.
It’ll also be interesting to see if the full backs heed
Beads’ call for them to push on more. Greenslade looked threatening coming
forward and linking with the attackers against Blyth, and it would be great to
see more of that. OK, it may leave us open at the back a little, but it’s
guaranteed to ensure that the matches this season will be exciting. Still not
sure about white-booted full backs though. I recall one from years and years
ago, Welsh he was, their youngest ever international, scored quite an important
goal once, featured in a song based on Yellow Submarine. The fancy boots never
suited him either. I wonder what ever happened to him.
Would love to be on seven points from three games at 5pm
tomorrow. Wouldn’t that set things up perfectly for a home match under the
lights on Tuesday against one of the division’s likely strugglers.
Finally, what a good example of the importance of the humble
space bar at the very start of this preview.
...and finally, finally: "He's got a bit of pace, and he is very, very mobile" - wasn't he ever. Adam Stansfield RIP.
...and finally, finally: "He's got a bit of pace, and he is very, very mobile" - wasn't he ever. Adam Stansfield RIP.