Son of Eric braved the elements to watch Hereford win at Merstham.
Leaving the shire many a road had tractors speeding with
trailers bringing the harvest home. The Bulls went to Surrey hoping to
reap several thousand pounds and a place in the Fourth Qualifying
round. There was no queue at Merstham's ground but some spectators may
have been in the hour long queue snarling up the High Street in search
of fuel.
From a balmy
end of summer last Saturday, this Saturday saw Autumn rushing towards
winter with dark skies, pouring rain and a strong wind. Difficult
conditions but with the Bulls unbeaten away from home all season and an
impressive win at York Hereford fans were optimistic.
Merstham
was a very welcoming and well organised club with an abundance of
friendly volunteers. Liburd-Hines debuted in goal for the injured
Hall. Captain Hodgkiss had the first impressive cross shot on goal
tipped around for a corner. Hancox came in at left back for the
injured Fini. Pollock dropped back to centre back to cover cup tied
McNally, pairing with Andoh. The midfield seemed to be a diamond with
Kouyhar at the base, Lloyd on the left, Pinchard on the right and
Owen-Evans in the hole behind Smith and Hulbert coming into the team.
Hereford switched to red shorts to avoid a clash of colours.
Hereford
made a quick and lively start determined to dominate. At times they
were overwhelming Merstham with quick thoughts and passes. The team
were elegant, fluid and dynamic. At times it was like watching a
non-league Manchester City. Hereford had two up front, three up front,
sometimes four up front and players comfortable changing position plus
the confidence to try things.
You
had to feel for the Merstham manager who kept shouting to his players
to watch the midfield runners. An obedient team Merstham kept watching,
but were unable to stem the force of football from the Whites.
The
Merstham manager assessed the situation and after twenty minutes was
calling out to keeper Bull to take his time. A goalless draw was the
height of ambition for a team struggling for confidence at the bottom
of their division.
Only
one man stood firm in the deluge and stopped inevitable goals. Reuben
Collins had a variable first touch and limited passing. But for putting
his body on the line he was Premier league in class. He had a telepathic
ability to anticipate shots from Andoh, Owen-Evans, Smith, Hulbert (who
was especially unlucky), Kouyhar and more. Throwing his body every
which way it was as if he was on a mission to block a shot from every
single Hereford player.
Reuben
the rock was making more saves than keeper Bull who did not look
confident with corners. From the first corner where Collins blocked
Hulbert he was relentless. Hereford were also a little profligate with
Andoh, Lloyd and Maziar all shooting high. Hulbert was especially
prominent lithe and rangy getting the ball quickly under control looking
the most likely to score but for the desperate defending.
Merstham
were struggling to get forward and Hereford were pressing all over the
field. Finally Merstham forced a corner which came to nothing. Hereford
drove up field and Pinchard drifted in from the right with nothing
obviously on.
Centrally
placed on the edge of the box Owen-Evans peeled off to the right of the
box. Pinchard turned ninety degrees and clipped a dinked ball.
Owen-Evans pirouetting like a ballet dancer jumped killing the ball dead
on the full, turning as he did and whipped a low shot on the half
volley just inside the near post. Yet more exquisite class from the
Welshman.Barry Davies would have asked where the Merstham defence was
but the Bulls fans didn't care.
Merstham
responded well and forced a corner which Richmon flicked just wide of
the post. Hodgkiss angrily remonstrated with the defence for the lack of
organisation at set pieces which remains a vulnerability. The Bulls
players walked off to applause from the Hereford fans who made up
about half of the 367 present. The incessant rain left their shirts
clinging to well toned physiques. You know you have a good set of
players when they can do it in a monsoon at Merstham.
Merstham
came out determined and were immediately on the attack, Adjei-Hersey
crossing to Anderson who headed wide when it seemed easier to score.
Returning to the attack Pinchard picked up the ball on the right wing.
Drifting inside no Merstham player came to challenge him, he let the
ball run on, opened his body and as he approached the box hit a left
footed pearler of a curler into the far top corner. Bull stood no
chance, goal of the season so far. Even stunned Merstham fans applauded
this moment of sheer quality.
Pinchard
and Owen-Evans combined especially well in the match. In the first half
they feinted prior to a free kick, confusing some defenders. At one
corner Pinchard waited for TOE to pull away and then drilled a low
corner which Tom fired in on goal. Just after scoring Pinchard fed Tom
whose effort was blocked. It's easy to see why both players were picked
up by big clubs as youngsters. If you enjoyed watching those other
Welsh wizards Paul Parry and Gavin Williams you should get down to Edgar
Street and see these twinkling stars.
Two
goals in command the game was won and as at Lymington Hereford failed
to kill off the game. The difference between expected goals and actual
goals must be large. It remains a concern that the team can't turn play
into goals. Merstham only threatened from set pieces with one corner
resulting in a goalmouth scramble.
McLean
came on for Smith who had worked hard across the line helped by referee
Hughes who told the Merstham defenders the consequences of being too
physical. It was refreshing to see a referee talking and explaining
decisions as the game was played. McLean played on the right and it
allowed Hulbert to be played as the central striker. McLean had one good
run but shanked his shot wide, another shot was blocked. He created
several opportunities and looked more comfortable playing on the right.
Merstham
brought on Greenwood for Anderson, and Folkes for Sam-Yorke as they
tried to get back into the game. Finally they played their last
substitution bringing on Monga for Gharbaoui who had threatened at times
on the flanks. Monga showed there is still a place for players with
the body of Neil Ruddock in the modern game showing an impressive turn
of speed for a big man.
Hereford
brought on Forsyth for Lloyd who yet again had a good game. Merstham's
best chance appeared to lie with an abandonment which happened just down
the road in the second half at Aldershot with Wrexham 2 0 up. Andoh
appeared to be unfamiliar with the conditions overplaying and twice
almost getting caught out when a hoick away was what conditions
demanded. He got a Pollock rollicking to let him know not to do it
again.
The pitch had been
impressively prepared but the relentless deluge was saturating the
field and the ball was sticking at times, mostly near the centre circle.
You could see why the ground is called Moatside with parts of the hard
standing submerged. It would have been hard to argue if the game had
been abandoned and it says much for the character and ethos of Merstham
football club that they made no attempts to appeal for this.
Having
come on Monga appeared to quickly run out of stamina arriving late
twice for tackles leaving the referee with no option but to bring out
his first yellow card.
A
comfortable win and an outstanding first half. Liburd-Hines had a very
easy debut. Mazhour prompted much of the best play and getting his first
ninety minutes in was a bonus. Owen-Evans performance faded in the
second half overhitting several crosses but his goal was glorious and he
terrorised the Merstham back line early on.
Man
of the match Pinchard reminded me of David Silva with the way he
floated through the game and made the two decisive contributions. Not El
Magico but perhaps Y Dewin! When he left the pitch for Whittingham and
walked around to the changing room he was applauded by every Bulls
fan.
Worse than the soaking in Woking the Merstham monsoon had a magnificent pair of goals to make up for the drenching.