Hereford started with Wade, Summers, Lilly, Haines (c), Latty-Fairweather; Durojaiye, Evans; McLean, Pinchard, Storey; Barnett.
Friendlies are difficult games to draw definitive conclusions from. The game was played at perhaps 90% of league level with more robust physical challenges to be expected when the season starts. The first half was a reprise of last season. A solid defence, lots of good ball retention in the middle of the park but not enough cutting edge. Even rotating players in forward positions could not break the deadlock.
With the new players keeper Wade had little to do but made one excellent sharp stop from close range and did all that he needed before being replaced by Osment who made one good stop. Observers of earlier games had said Wade looked cocky. Good. A team needs a confident keeper who believes in himself. There was a glimpse of this self belief when Brad was given a poor backpass. He then took a heavy touch giving the surging striker a glimpse of a chance but then took the ball past him and calmly cleared.
Latty-Fairweather has a very good touch and carried the ball forwards well. He was comfortable in both full back positions and looks a good signing. Lilly reads the game well, won most of his aerial challenges and took the ball forward occasionally. Josh Gowling knows a good centre back when he sees one. He also knows a good character with Haines skippering the side. In February's Southport report I argued:
"Haines is always prepared for the challenge, and he clearly has a captain’s instincts."
I wonder whether with Hodgkiss and Haines Hereford could have one player as captain and one as club captain, both are natural leaders and Luke played solidly as ever.
Summers had a difficult time at right full back. He was often out of position and being advised to be somewhere else by team-mates and the managerial team. Coalville had their stronger attacking players down the left and he had his hands full.
In midfield Durojaiye seems a very solid defensive player. He drops in to cover either centre back when they go forward, looks mostly to play it simple, shields the ball well relishing opponents bouncing off his physique. I doubt he will score or create many goals but he will play his part in stopping many.
Evans played in midfield in the first half and at left back in the second. The pitch was bobbly and dusty making control difficult. Nonetheless he confidently advanced with the ball on several occasions.
Pinchard looked the pick of the players and potentially TOE's successor. Teams will try to stop him getting on the ball so Durojaiye could be a very useful enforcer to help him unlock defences.
Storey was his usual self with lots of advancing and McLean took the game by the scruff of the neck in second half and destroyed the Coalville back line almost single-handedly.
Barnett had gone off by then. I worry when we sign older strikers but Tyrone looks like he could be another classy veteran like Neil Grayson. He's far more than a big man up front although he won his fair share of challenges. He has a game intelligence which was on a higher plane than many on the pitch. His flicks, crisp lay offs, backheels and eye for an angle were just too quick or clever for both attackers and defenders. It will take a little time to adjust to a different class of player.
It was as if some of the players are used to driving a BMW 3 and suddenly they have the pure class of a BMW 7 and they are not fully familiar with all the features and benefits it provides. Tyrone reminded me of Teddy Sheringham in the way he searched out pockets of space, increasingly he came deeper to influence the game. He saw where players were on the pitch a second before others. Every aspiring youth team striker should be in the stand every game just watching where he goes and what he does.
He looks like the sort of player who could help unlock the middle ranking teams' defences, something which Hereford have struggled to do in recent seasons and that would be enough to put the Bulls into the promotion pack.
In the second half Hereford made multiple changes. Evans made a fine surging run down the wing, and fed McLean he advanced to the edge of the box and shot across the keeper towards the far post. His effort was slightly wide but Miles sped up for a perfect back post tap in from a cross shot.
A dead ball saw the ball come back into the centre of the box and Lilly swivelled and scored like a striker.
Coalville made plenty of changes and started to chase the game and try and get at least a goal. Hereford ruthlessly exploited their openness with McLean showing superb stamina running at them and running the game.
Trialist number 17 who scored twice at Malvern scored one of the quickest ever Hereford hat tricks in the last ten minutes or so. First Ryan fed him and he calmly slotted past Paul White (of 5 goal nightmare at Chester notoriety).
Then Ryan passed him through and 17 outpaced the defenders and coolly scored. Finally he converted a cross from close range. Number 17 was not on long enough to comment on his skills. However, all three finishes were made to look easy with a relaxed temperament. After spurning so many opportunities last season I would not mind if we signed just a lazy goal hanger if Hereford could convert their play into goals. Of course Josh's first rule is to work hard so on this brief display and the Malvern magic even a short term offer for number 17 and they can work hard at just putting the ball in the net would be nice.
The score was a cruel reflection Coalville had several good players and you could see why they were in the play offs last season. When lots of changes take place it can be a little bit of a lottery. However, a comfortable clean sheet, a goal glut and several promising performances bode well for the season ahead.