Wade Saves Flat Bulls

The Commonwealth Games are taking place in Birmingham, but Hereford decided to upgrade to Olympic standard, Rushall Olympic. Walsall Senior Cup holders who like Alvechurch and Coalville lost out to Peterborough Sports in the Southern League Central play offs. Rushall have a tidy stadium which appears to have used shipping containers or similar but in a better designed way than Gloucester. The quirkiest feature was the slightly sloping plastic pitch which had a bank on one side and a ditch on the other if players strayed too far over the touchline. Rushall produced an excellent programme which is becoming a rarity for friendlies.

Hereford set up with Wade; Hodgkiss (c), Haines, Lilly, Latty-Fairweather; Pinchard, Trialist Carr, Lloyd; Storey, Barnett, McLean. It was a muggy day with occasional light showers, the 4G surface gave an opportunity for the Bulls to prepare for similar surfaces. Rushall were physical and in a competitive game would have picked up a few bookings. There were about 150 present with about fifty from the Shire.

Hereford had the better of the game but it felt like many of last seasons disappointments. Hereford played better football, had good possession, the front six rotated well but there was not enough cutting edge. This was the most underwhelming of Hereford's performances in the friendlies. Storey got through lots of good work but failed to work the keeper and when he finally rounded Weaver in the second half his shot came back off the post.

Trialist Carr played deep midfield just in front of the centre backs. He was very strong on the ball easily riding physical challenges but added little creatively. Latty-Fairweather had a difficult afternoon, fine going forward but much of Rushall's threats came down the right especially when right back Lyttle advanced. In the first half two crosses from the right could easily have been converted. In the second half he was substituted and Summers went to right back and Hodgkiss to left back. It will be interesting to see if new signing Evans starts the season at left back.

Rushall did not quite have Hereford's quality and several moves broke down with misplaced passes. They looked at least as likely as Hereford to break the deadlock with their more direct approach and perhaps greater familiarity with the 4g surface. Ryan McLean got a nasty cut above his eye and the prolonged dressing of the wound was turned into a drinks break in the first half. He kept playing but the wound opened up again and he was subbed in the second half for Klukowski. 

Early in the second half Rushall again troubled Latty-Faireather and crossed to the far post. A Rushall player caught the ball well and it was heading into the net. Jared put his arms in front of his face but with his hands above his head and made a fine save for a clear penalty. Marsh stepped up and hit his shot low and hard to the right but well inside the post. Wade got down well and saved, impressively he ensured that he palmed it away to the side giving no chance to following in Pics.

Hereford brought on Campbell for Barnett and a big, tall trialist for Lloyd. Lloyd had his best pre season game getting through a lot of the unseen work he is renowned for. Marshalling Rushall's defence was former Bull Keith Lowe. He has now gone part time having started a career in education. He looked comfortable and it was concerning to see Hereford again failing to score against a team which was not as good as them, but worked hard, was well organised and had a bit of bite.

This was Wade's best game for Hereford, assured footwork, good positioning at dead balls, two sharp saves in the first half and saving the penalty to avoid defeat.