There was a minute's impeccably observed silence before the game but all the Bulls fans I spoke to would have preferred to have done this on Saturday and did not understand why non-league football had been cancelled. Some had gone to rugby, or watched golf and cricket on the same day. There was concern that a rearranged Tuesday night fixture will lose the club at least 500 people off the gate which will mean thousands of pounds of lost revenue. Remarkably Brackley finance quality players on crowds of 562, boosted by over 100 Bulls fans.
Hereford initially made one change with Thompson-Summers dropping out of the squad and Amadi-Holloway coming in. However, Luke Haines had a medical issue during the warm up and as a precaution he was replaced by Jethro Hanson who started. Luke seemed fine when he returned to the Hereford bench twenty minutes into the game easily vaulting over the fence to get there.
Tyler; Hodgkiss (c), Pendley, Lilly, Evans; Lloyd, Hanson; McLean, Barnett, Storey; Amadi-Holloway.
Hereford started brightly and following a partly cleared Storey cross Barnett hit a twenty five yarder well over the bar. Barnett was enjoying playing in the hole and with the freedom to roam Brackley struggled to cope with Hereford's fluidity. Sometimes Tyrone was part of two big men up front but most of the time he probed and successfully sought space. This particularly assisted Storey who saw lots of the ball got forward well and produced a mixture of crosses.
Brackley attacked mostly down the right and Cosmos Matwasa is a name to remember a very impressive right winger who troubled Hereford throughout the game. Hereford remained the better side and at times they were passing through Brackley. Pendley hit a fine long ball to McLean who got behind the Saints backline. Ryan found Storey who set up Barnett, and although shooting from distance Tyrone should have worked the keeper. Gradually though Brackley worked out Hereford and defensive midfielder Shepherd Murombedzi started reducing Tyrone's space as the Northamptonshire side saw the balance of the game move in their direction.
The confidence of the Bulls in their passing was shown when work from Barnett and Lloyd found Storey in space. Brackley had started to double up on Miles fearing his pace and forced him backwards towards the half way line, he knocked a long ball back to Tyler. Cian took the ball and pinged it back up the left of the pitch setting Storey away. The longest one-two I think I have ever seen! Miles got to the byline pulled back and at the near post Amadi-Holloway failed to get the finish the good work deserved.
York got behind Lilly on the right and although Zak was only slightly behind as he chased the forward he caught him slightly for a definite foul and a yellow card which was a little harsh but perhaps given because of the relatively dangerous position with Brackley having caught out the Bulls backline. Brackley started to pick up more free kicks as any slight contact which was not cleanly executed by the Bulls lead to fouls with the Saints players showing National League North nous to go down when marginally challenged.
Brackley continued to probe and Mastwasa beat Evans yet again and got to the touchline, he pulled the ball back for Stead to score from close range.
As the Bulls set up to kick off Josh was making it clear to Zak and Jake that he was unimpressed with their defensive positioning and explaining what he wanted them to do. Having picked up an early booking this was a challenging evening for Lilly. Evans had a difficult night but Mastwasa is the best player I have seen so far this season, chunky, short and fast, a non-league Adama Traore.
As the half ended Brackley were well on top and Bulls fans were relieved when the whistle blew with only a single goal deficit. The second half started with the same story. The ball found its way to the far side of the box and a Brackley player fired a fierce shot which Pendley blocked but it came out to Mastwasa who coolly placed his shot just inside the near post.
The Bulls response was insufficient. It was not the Gloucester horror show but there was not enough sense of giving it a real go. Brackley are impressively organised. Their 4-4-2 became almost a 4-6-0 and they comfortably dealt with most of the Bulls attempts to break them down. Amadi-Holloway had spent his evening touching and clutching former Bull Cullinane-Liburd. Aaron had several pieces of delicious control but could not convert the half chances he found and was substituted for Latty-Fairweather on the hour. Thierry went to the right, Barnett went up front and McLean floated more.
Richards was booked for a foul and Storey continued to look the most likely to create something. Jack Evans was booked for a stronger foul on Mastwasa or it could have been an accumulation as the flier was a hard man to stop. My man of the match Storey was taken off for Pinchard. Harry offered a different threat and Hereford finally got a decent strike on goal from Lilly which was well saved by Lewis. Brackley continued to look the most likely, the excellent York who had caused difficulties across the rearguard was subbed for Putz.
Good work from Pinchard lead to a throw in being won level with the penalty area. Jake Evans threw it to Lloyd who laid it back to Jake, he surged towards the box and as he was challenged passed to Barnett who quickly reversed the ball to Evans. Jake took the ball and as he was jostled fired hard and low inside the near post. A quality finish epitomising the skills Evans has shown this season.
Deciding to chase the game in time added on Josh put Osideko on for the final minute, as McLean was withdrawn.
A puzzling decision to give Lekan a single minute. Hereford are creating opportunities but often like tonight failing to hit the target. One thing Osideko demonstrated in pre-season was an unerring ability to know where the goal is. Hereford started well and deserved to take the lead when on top. Brackley sussed the Bulls, and the at times naive referee, and took control. Hereford could not get back into the game. Parts of the second half were worrying showing elements of the Gloucester home game. The score flattered Hereford in the end, they were well beaten by a side within many good players and in Mastwasa an outstanding talent.