Nigel Preece watched Hereford draw 0-0 with Leamington last night at Edgar Street.
The first autumnal evening at Edgar Street this season, cool but decent footballing conditions for players and supporters. The question was, would we get any football given our previous experience of today's opposition?
The Bulls started with the same 11 as in Saturday's win over Blyth, but after a bright start we were pushed back for a good 10 minutes or so by strong Leamington pressing in our half. Nevertheless the defence stood up to their task and gradually we came into the game, occasionally trying to stretch the Leamington back four with long balls while more often probing thoughtfully without much progress.
Our football began to pay some dividends, a Lloyd header from a corner cleared off the line, followed by a Holmes effort that was deflected just over the bar.
However, despite starting to dominate possession it was frustrating that we were unable to at least test the visiting keeper, though the same could be said for Visser in the home goal.
 |
| Players Watch Dino Visser |
Stalemate at half time, the Bulls were applauded off as supporters appreciated both the effort to compete with robust opponents and the attempts to play football.
The first part of the second period was perhaps our best phase of the game; the Brakes were forced into repeated hurried clearances as we probed for openings, however despite 10 or 15 minutes of almost complete domination no real chances were created.
Gradually the game became more even, the impressive Hansen was booked for a high foot, though pantomime villian Edwards naturally milked it for all it was worth. Leamington's Streete, the classic uncompromising centre back, was booked for a cynical foul on Holmes; this highlighted something we were not able to do enough of all evening, find space to run at the visiting defence, credit to the discipline and organisation of the whole Leamington side.
 |
| Jack Holmes |
A few flurries, several corners, for both sides in the closing minutes but the game petered out into a goalless draw. The impressive Thompson was replaced near the end with an injury, followed by Hodgkiss, I hope they're fit soon, our defence looked far more organised and solid tonight, credit goes to Hansen and Lloyd in front of them too. Slightly odd that Thompson was replaced by Storey, with Amadi-Holloway, who'd come on for Barnett a little earlier, dropping into the back four.
 |
| Amadi-Holloway |
Despite the scoreline, it wasn't a bad game, though perhaps expectations weren't high given our previous experiences of Leamington. At times our football was good and on that showing there's a team in the making there; they just need a bit more confidence, a bit more drive going forward and, perhaps, just more games together and hopefully the goals will come.
Finally, I mentioned a more solid looking defence, but didn't mention Latty Fairweather, who not only did a fine job at the back, but looked as threatening as anyone going forward and was deservedly the sponsors' man of the match.
Starting XI: Visser, Hodgkiss (C), Haines, Mclean, Lloyd, Pinchard, Hanson, Barnett, Holmes, Thompson, Latty-Fairweather.
Subs: Amadi-Holloway, Storey, Derricott, Klukowski, Campbell
Attendance: 1729
Good luck at Three Bridges on Saturday.