Hereford started with Wade; Hodgkiss (c), Derricott, Lilly, Latty-Fairweather; Pinchard, Durojaiye, Lloyd; Storey, Barnett, McLean. On the bench were Osment, Pendley, Campbell and three trialists.
A dry, sunny evening was perfect for football. The only slight difficulty was the sun dipping down as Hereford attacked up the slope and to begin with several Bulls players failed to adjust to the massive drop from touchline to touchline with balls down the right wing channel going out of play. Alvechurch Captain centre back Carter was having a nightmare missing kicks and slicing simple touches he seemed to still be on the beach. His colleagues covered for him and Hereford failed to take advantage of unexpected opportunities.
Every pre-season opponent brings something different and playing in amber and black Alvechurch showed elements of Leamington and Southport in their combative approach and it was good to see this Bulls team showing a rougher edge. With one fifty-fifty challenge Latty-Fairweather clashed with a Church player who went down in pain, Thierry Ricky Everton (what a fine set of first names) just rubbed his chest a little and gave the impression he could not understand why the Church player was on the floor. The problems at left back and the lack of nous and physicality were some of the reasons last season the Bulls made such a poor start. Josh appears to have addressed this. Durojaiye thrives on breaking up play and together with Lloyd an extra level of defensive security was provided.
Miles Storey played really well finding space, using his pace and getting down both wings. However handsome his approach play was he had a night when his finishing was only high and wide. If only he could work the keeper more...
Hereford scored four very good and different goals. First Ryan McLean broke free on the right. Left back Sephton knew he was facing a challenge. He tried to force Ryan wide. Left winger Abbey tried to get back and kept shouting to Sephton, "No pass, no pass" you could sense the fear in the Alvechurch defenders. Ryan slowed down, Sephton jockeyed, then Ryan went again and Sephton tried to stay with him, but then Ryan went up to top pace which few defenders can match and he perfectly timed this to get to just before the goal line on the edge of the box. He looked up and saw Storey and Barnett had pulled the centre backs to the edge of the six yard box leaving a big gaping hole around the penalty spot. Ryan pulled the ball back along the ground inviting a finish. Lloyd needed no second invitation and advanced forward to side foot a rising shot into the left corner giving the keeper no chance. A goal made by McLean.
In the second half two Alvechurch substitutes who were warming up were discussing Ryan's skills and it was clear that if they came on they hoped to not have to face him, he is earning respect with his performances. He also stood up to some niggly challenges, good preparation for the clattering he is bound to get in the National League North.
Second, Barnett had shot on goal and his effort was deflected by a defender for a corner on the right. Pinchard put in a high arcing in-swinger. Barnett stood on the back of the six yard box pulled out as it came across. He jumped and balletically twisted his body as the ball was still just a little behind him. He powerfully headed back across giving the keeper no chance. This was a difficult skill made to look easy. Tyrone's attacking aerial abilities are ahead of anything seen last season. You could say this was a free header but Barnett created the space, clever play.
Third, and best of all trialist McDermot (second half sub for Barnett) who had already scored five goals against lower teams struck again. A ball through saw him break Alvechurch's high offside line and take the ball wide left. Reserve keeper Phillips who despite conceding four looked fairly decent came and forced McDermot wide on the edge of his box. Two defenders came across to provide cover, Storey and McLean had rushed forward to give easy opportunities for a cross. Trialist McDermot though had other ideas. He had a defender advancing to challenge, another defender covering and a keeper now retreating having successfully pushed the attacker into a difficult place. Trialist McDermot had a still bouncing ball and he went for the outrageous. With the instep of his right foot he sliced a lob drive. Phillips had not fully regained his ground but he leapt up and pawed at the ball. He pushed the ball up, but he could only slow the ball and it rose and then dropped into the net.
You have to whisper it but this player is the best natural finishing since John Mills. It is like there is a kryptonite about 25 yards out from the goal line. Inside he looks like superman outside it he is very poor. His positioning was awful, he failed to jump correctly for any of the clearances or longer balls directed towards him, apologised for his poor passing especially once when Storey was well placed for a one on one with the keeper. The goals albeit against tiring lower level teams are seductive. On any other level you would pass on him as a player, but with good coaching there is some stardust to be developed. That relaxed confidence in front of goal is rare and precious.
Fourthly, a long clearance saw Miles jump and head a perfect fast flick just like Steve Davey nodding it through for Dixie in the 1970s. Ryan needed no second invitation, rushing on to the ball pulling slightly left. Keeper Phillips advanced, made himself big and put himself in the best position. Casually Ryan clipped a curling ball round him and into the net. Another Hereford player making a difficult finish look easy.
To be greedy it would be nice to see a scrambled goal or a tap in. Alvechurch's goal came this way with two attempts blocked and the ball falling to Hamilton who finished third time lucky.
After the first half drinks break for a few minutes Hereford switched to three at the back with Durojaiye in the centre. He looked better here with the game in front of him. In the first half Alvechurch several times bypassed him with swift one-twos and created opportunities. It also allowed Latty-Fairweather to push up on Alvechurch right back Burton who looked one of the best players on the pitch, regularly advancing well and combining to create overloads.
Josh has been saying how well Mark Derricott has been playing and he looked very comfortable this evening. In both halves he had surges forward like a John Stones, carrying the ball well and beating players. He held his own against the attackers and when unsure of his position reacted quickly to captain Jared's advice. In the first half he played right centre back and when after an hour or so Pendley replaced Lilly he went to the left side and looked equally comfortable. He is making rapid progress and did not stand out as a youth player coming into the team, he could be an exciting prospect this season. Near the end he headed a McLean corner just over the bar.
Although Josh has said he wants Haines to play at centre back Luke's passing abilities are superior to Durojaiye. Durojaiye looks like a player for the more "physical" sides, not that Luke can't mix it too!
In the second half Pinchard who had played well and had a free kick grabbed at the second attempt by Phillips went off for trialist Hale who again showed some neat skills, notably advancing on the right side with three quick one twos with different players. Campbell came on for Lloyd. Osment was an unused sub and the game ended with Wade at the far end appearing to do a Cruyff turn to bamboozle an onrushing attacker!
Alvechurch were a good test. Manager Ian Long had several moans, complaining about one of his players being down when the first goal was scored. Referee Stokes who had a good feel for the game especially when there were robust challenges explained that he was happy to allow shoulder to shoulder contact. In fairness to Long he has built a good team and in the first half they matched Hereford, he would in many ways have been a better manager after Beadle than those the board opted to choose before Josh.
In the second half Hereford were impressive dominating apart from a brief spell when Alvechurch scored, their centre back Williams had a good game despite four goals being conceded. Hereford look set to be more physical, more cohesive and to score more goals than they did last season. As Hereford only scored four league goals before the third week of October last season, that is not the boldest prediction!