Hereford won their HFA Semi final tie at Pegasus last night and Son of Eric was there to report on the game.
Hereford made the short hop to the north-eastern fringe of the city to visit Pegasus Juniors’ KGD stadium with its artificial pitch. Peggy have an impressively maintained set up with the clubhouse next to the home and away changing rooms so everyone is together before the match. Dozens of excited Pegasus youngsters were excited at the “big club” coming to town. Two six-year-olds were debating whether they would try and high five the Hereford stars. At half time the many youth players got on the pitch with half a dozen small goals and showed off their skills. On international women’s day there were many girls, some in female teams but more in mixed groups, the standard impressed many observers, Pegasus are such an excellent community club.
Hereford gave experience to many in need of playing time. Sondergaard came back in goal and Hall had a night off. Full backs Bennett and Price supported Egan and captain Klukowski in defence. Fitzgerald, Pinchard and Patten in midfield supporting a flexible frontline of Mclean, Touray, and Faal. On the bench were hotshot Harley Morris, Marsh, Fox, Jones, and Campbell. 345 watched on a cold night with the odd shower, and a little breeze across the hilltop. Hereford started brightly with McLean impressing. Klukowski was driving forward and playing balls out to him, and Ryan then roasted the backline. On one occasion the pass to him was slightly behind but McLean cleverly did not break stride and used a backheel flick to put the ball into his path. Each time Ryan crossed into danger areas, but nothing came. This was a combination of both Mos taking similar positions and Ryan not always picking out a player. However, McLean’s ability to cross into the corridor of uncertainty could be anticipated and gobbled up by a greedy striker. One of his crosses was picked up by Faal and passed to right back Price but he was offside for his tap in.
The other striking attacking ploy for Hereford was Klukowski picking up the ball and running from centre back striding through the Redmen’s midfield and sliding balls into the front three. He was majestic and in my fading memory it was like John Charles used to do when he was at centre back in the 1960s. Pegasus surprised many Bulls fans with the quality of their football and their rear line is well coached by Bulls veteran Mark Hibbard with an offside trap that stepped up like formation dancers. They were slightly assisted by assistant referees who flagged on when the ball arrived rather than when it was passed at times.
Pegasus also put in some long throws, useful practice for Leamington on Saturday. Matt Reeve Pegasus’s front man worked hard and got off several shots. Sondergaard was troubled by a shot from Hockey which seemed straight forward but was spilled and grabbed at the second opportunity. In the middle of the field Patten was a dynamo, recycling the ball finding space and probing. Supporting the attack, he struck a beautiful curling shot which was heading for the top right corner until Gwynne acrobatically touched it away. Pegasus broke away from a corner and Moreira almost got free on the right. Fitzgerald came across and clattered him on the halfway line. Klukowski came across and argued there had been a hand ball in the penalty box and that the referee should have seen it. This may have ensured what could have been a red was only a yellow.
Hereford finally broke through when McLean found Faal on the edge of the box. Faal tuned his man and broke through, but the Pegasus defender bit back and nicked the ball away. Before he could clear Mo tackled back and took the ball to the right as another Pegasus defender came to help. Being pushed wide Faal half turned and shot. He did not catch it cleanly but if you don’t buy a HUST 50/50 ticket, you don’t win the raffle. His shot took a looping deflection off the despairing block of Fletcher. With three defenders around him, this was a real striker’s goal scoring when the odds were against Faal.
This was a very enjoyable first half with Pegasus trying to play the right way and attacking well down the flanks. Hereford deserved their lead and with more teamwork should have been further ahead.
At half time Pegasus brought on Griffiths for Hockey and he mostly marked Pinchard. Pegasus were alert to Harry’s skills, and he was closely marked. Harry still got on the ball, but he also took some heavy fouls as Pegasus limited his effectiveness. Sondergaard punched balls away at times and when he put the ball back out Moreira picked it up and ran into the box. As he threatened Bennett pushed him for a clear penalty. At times Sondergaard failed to claim crosses and his performance did not put any pressure on Hall’s place in the first team.
Panniers stepped up and hit a top-class penalty low and hard to the right. Sondergaard guessed correctly but the pace of the ball beat him.
Having seen Klukowski surging forward in the first half Egan set up on a Beckenbaueresque stroll through the Pegasus players and finished with a clipped dipping shot that was only just over the bar, and what would have been goal of the season. Every time a defender went forwards Patten picked up the space behind to ensure Hereford’s backline stayed secure. Hereford brought on Campbell for Bennett who appeared to have taken a knock. Justice made an immediate impact firing just wide of the post.
Hereford then brought on Morris for Faal who had looked the better of the Mos. Touray played the whole ninety minutes for the first team and often worked back to pick up the ball, but he struggled to make an impact in the final third, not having that turn of pace to take him beyond the backline. Some Leominster Bulls differentiated the two as being Big Mo and Slow Mo. Faal consistently worked the Peggy backline and better crossing could have exploited his height.
Juniors took off Reeve and brought on Williamson. Young Harley Morris has been scoring lots of goals for the youngsters and his eager approach showed why. He stood up to the physical challenge and tried to beat the backline, although he was not always aware when he had strayed offside. McLean nicked possession deep in Hereford’s half and strode down the wing beating player after player. Harley came across as Ryan crossed the halfway line to give an easy out ball. McLean used him by not using him knocking the ball forward and like a supermarket special offer, when he’s gone, he’s gone and there’s no catching roadrunner Ryan. McLean crossed and Harley took the ball well in the box. He tried to tee up Touray when he could and perhaps should have got a strike away.
Pinchard fed Fitzgerald who git down the left and crossed with Touray waiting in the middle of the goal to convert. Price covering back put in a despairing lunge to try and block the cross but only managed to crisply finish into his own net. With the game won Fox came on for Pinchard. Pegasus brought on Hopkins for Jones. Pegasus won a free kick on the middle of the D but Williams just blasted hard and the wall stood firm. Hereford attacked and Williams brought down Touray at the expense of a yellow card.
Campbell looked the best of Hereford’s substitutes an eager beaver finding space, one moment filling in at the back, the next flying down the wing. He put in some good dead balls, one in swinging corner being tipped away by Gwynne. His range of passing was excellent often opening up space and, on this cameo, Justice looked worth a place on the bench. Campbell won a ball deep in Hereford’s half on the right, moving forwards he picked up McLean’s run. All too often Ryan’s tireless runs were not picked up early enough resulting at times in offside decisions as the release pass was delayed. Justice’s intelligence meant that as soon as Ryan was heading over the halfway line he sent a delightfully bent ball down the wing taking out the two covering defenders and giving McLean the wide open space he delights in. Ryan took the ball on, cut inside and expertly drove across Gwynne who narrowed the angle but was beaten by the shot going just inside the far post.
Impressed by this quality moment the referee blew up and Hereford were through to the final of the County cup.
345 football fans were entertained by a very good match. Man of the match was Klukowski who was imperious defending well, setting up lots of attacks and encouraging and advising Hereford’s players. He was like a manger on the pitch.
Touray looked as if he may be better suited to challenging Tom for the number 10 position rather than being played as an out and out striker. He showed good technique, covered a lot of ground, and found space. If McLean had found players with his crosses, then the score would have been a lot more comfortable, his ability to beat a man or two was a delight. Campbell was only on the pitch for twenty minutes or so but stood out earning lots of praise from the spectators. He may be the next diamond Gowling has uncovered.