Impressive Banbury Disappointing Hereford

There was a very healthy turnout of 320 Bulls fans in the crowd of 1324 at Banbury enjoying the sun with Hereford unchanged. On the bench Osideko replaced Klukowski. There was no substitute keeper despite Wade having extensive strapping around his left elbow.

Hereford started brightly with a good move down the right giving Thompson-Sommers the chance for a shot from distance which Harding pushed round the post. 

 

Storey looked in very good nick with a delightful back heel flick keeping Hereford going forward. Banbury sent a high bouncing ball down the left and the quick Babos nicked it back inside. Hodgkiss like the veteran pro he is let it hit his outstretched arm at the expense of a free kick to stop him getting into the box.

Captain Rasulo hit a beautiful arcing ball towards the near top corner. Brad leapt across and tipped the ball marginally for the ball to hit the corner of post and bar. The ball came back hitting the still diving Wade on the back and deflecting across the middle of the six yard box inviting a tap in. The ball was behind Haines, Luke stretching lurched back awkwardly and desperately stabbed the ball with his instep away from the centre of goal. He could not make a full contact and Williams at the back post tapped in for Banbury to take the lead.

Banbury got their dander up and looked the most likely with diagonal balls behind Hereford's full backs to former Bulls loanee full back Hickman on the right and wide midfielder Acquaye causing Hereford difficulties. An innocuous challenge saw Haines land awkwardly and he was treated for a leg injury for several minutes whilst the other players took a drinks break. Haines left the field and Hereford attacked, he was waved back on by the referee but sensing an opportunity when Banbury won possession they played another diagonal ball in behind Hodgkiss. He was beaten by the pace of Landers and who was almost on the ball on the left side of the box.

Seeing Jared in difficulty Wade rushed off his line and slid in taking the ball as Landers was about to be there. This was impressive skill by Brad he delicately and carefully took the ball without giving any chance for the attacker to dive and try for a penalty. However, perhaps because his hands were soft he did not clutch the ball and it ran free. Landers reacted ahead of Hodgkiss and laid the ball back to Morgan Roberts.

Several Hereford defenders were back guarding the goal and Wade was back on his feet trying to get back across but the striker carefully picked out his spot and stroked the ball into the far corner of the net. Several Hereford fans gave Hodgkiss some stick, deeming him partly responsible for both of the goals. 

Hereford came back with a long shot from Lloyd which was tipped around the post for a corner which was poorly hit by Pinchard. Banbury now were bossing the game and playing through Hereford's midfield at will. Their forward players were switching around with ease but Landers, Morgan and Babos were dancing around in holes of space. Whilst Lloyd held his position both Pinchard and Thompson-Sommers failed to get in sufficient challenges and wave after wave of attacks came down the left side of the pitch. 

A shot by Morgan Roberts hit the post and when Landers was played in behind Evans Jake did well to recover and make a superb saving tackle in the box. The Bulls fans were getting restless and when Storey laid a ball back to Hodgkiss there were groans about not getting the ball forward. Hodgkiss drilled forward a pass which was chested to Lloyd and he played the ball into the box for McLean to run on to in the box, and he slotted home to get Hereford back in the game.

Scoring just before the interval there was hope the Bulls could get back into the game. Gowling took Pinchard off and brought on Hanson who played in the right defensive midfield position with Lloyd switching across and Thompson-Sommers moved into the hole behind Barnett. 

Hereford's hopes suffered a quick setback. Another ball down the inside left channel brought more joy. Morgan Roberts strode through but Lilly was with him, as Zak challenged he stumbled and fell leaving Banbury's top scorer free to fire across Wade and restore the two goal lead. Josh reacted by taking McLean off and bringing Amadi-Holloway on going with two big men up front and Storey playing a little deeper.

Banbury brought on Stevens for Rasulo who had shown several quality touches in the middle of the park. Hereford had strikes from Lloyd and Barnett but neither troubled the keeper unduly. Haines came off and Pendley slotted in at the back. Although Hereford tried to build some momentum, as one sage observer commented it did not feel as if the proverbial kitchen sink was being thrown at the Banbury defence.

Amadi-Holloway won several headers and at times held the ball up in and around the box but the Puritans righteously surrounded him and Bulls players did not gamble on where the ball was likely to go. Barnett snatched at a chance and there were not enough quality crosses.

Banbury took off Landers and brought on Parsons. Hickman was booked for dissent and Pendley for a foul. Referee Hallam kept trying not to book and Banbury wasted time freely, keeper Harding ignoring the six second rule whilst the referee made gestures and the Banbury players thought what a naive fellow. Parsons was booked for a tactical foul and Stevens averted danger with a  deliberate hand ball. Hanson who had steadied defensive midfield picked up a yellow after several fouls at the end.

The first really disappointing performance of the season. Maybe an early goal and things would have been different. However, after two wins Hereford appeared over confident. It was like a cup game with Banbury the team a division or two lower who start with the attitude that they are going to outrun and outfight the better players. Hereford tried to raise their game but could not match the pace and aggression of the impressive Puritans.

Former Bulls coach Andy Whing has assembled an impressive and confident team. Time after time players tried the difficult ball and if they did not quite get it right there were no recriminations. They played in behind and knew they had pace to beat some of Hereford's back line. They took control of midfield and with this form several of their players and perhaps their manager will be heading to the likes of Brackley, Fylde and other monied clubs at higher levels. 

Off the field Banbury are a community club, have an excellent radio station and the best programme of the season so far. They deserved to win and perhaps they were a little under estimated by the Bulls.

For the Bulls most players have had better performances and against Gloucester they have the chance to show this was a blip and not the inconsistent form which dogged the team last season.