Weather permitting, the Bulls
face another stiff test tomorrow at Edgar Street, kick off 3pm, with league
leaders Chorley the visitors. They’ve topped the table virtually all season,
apart from when recently briefly deposed by Bradford Park Avenue. However,
order has been restored over Christmas, with the Lancastrians doing the double
over FC United of Manchester, scoring eight goals in the process, and narrowly
beating Curzon Ashton away. They average two goals a game, whereas Hereford
average less than one.
As a result of the lacklustre
New Year’s Day performance at Aggborough, the Bulls have slipped a place to 19th
in the table, three points clear of the relegation places. Tiredness could have
been a factor on Tuesday at the end of a hectic festive period, although
Kidderminster of course had a similar programme and played a half with ten men.
It could be that the difference between full time and part time at this level
is felt most keenly at this time of year.
It’s been suggested in some
circles that there’s not enough information on our opposition in these previews,
so here’s a little look at Chorley, or ‘The Magpies’ as you’ll come to know
them after this intimate appraisal:
Goalie – Matt Urwin or Tony
McMillan or Danny Eccles – any of them could play I suppose, can’t imagine
anyone but them really cares, but bizarrely all collect magpies and keep them in
cages. Evil really. In fact in non-league circles they’re known as ‘The Three
Evil Goalies’. Danny Eccles also likes cakes.
Defenders – Andy Teague
captains the team and he’s excitingly sponsored by Paul and Sheila Brennan.
Scott Leather has one of the better names in the Chorley squad.
Midfield – Josh O’Keefe will
presumably sneak forward late doors to score a goal having done nothing else
all game, as is his wont, even though the Chorley fans wonder what on earth he
does each week to merit a starting place. Sound familiar? Goodness, what some
of the O’Keefe naysayers of old would do these days to have him back in a white
shirt! He’s also just signed a new two-year contract, so he’s got all sorts of
motivation going on.
Forwards – Josh Wilson looks
troubled by something in his photo, and whatever it is will hopefully put him
off scoring, and Louis Almond looks like he’s a red card waiting to happen,
although he could be lovely.
Their chairman is called Ken,
like ours.
There, I hope that gives a
flavour.
The Bulls go into this one
having won their last five at home. To counter the O’Keefe contract news, Tom
Owen Evans has also signed a deal that keeps him at Edgar Street until
at least the end of next season. Good news indeed.
Given Chorley’s season to date,
it’s to be anticipated that the Hereford defence will be severely tested
tomorrow, so hopefully the Gowling-Cullinane Liburd partnership will revert to
the version witnessed against Chester, rather than the shakier one on display
at Kiddy. If there are any tiredness or injury concerns over either, Harvey
Smith could come in as more than adequate cover.
In midfield, Marc Richards
seems reluctant to start with Eliot Richards despite singing his praises when
he’s come on as a sub recently, so the decision would seem to be whether to
persist with Calvin Dinsley or reinstate Tommy O’Sullivan in the middle. Theo
Wharton will also be keen to make his starting debut and would be an intriguing
option to freshen things up a bit.
Up front, Mike Symons will
presumably start, despite reports of a tight hamstring before Tuesday’s game,
although with the shifts he’s put in recently it was no surprise to see him dip
slightly below the levels he’s been at. If he can’t start, with the best will
in the world it’s difficult to see a Roberts-Lloyd partnership getting much out
of Chorley’s defence and this demonstrates just how reliant the team is on the
Beast for a cutting edge and goal threat. Hopefully this will be addressed
soon.
So, a tough assignment but not
an impossible mission, particularly given recent form at home.
COYW