Three goals, three points

Harwood Bull reports from Curzon Ashton.

After the dismal performance at Bradford a week ago Hereford partly redeemed themselves with a fine win against Fylde in the midweek game at Edgar Street. Now we needed them to back that up with a good away performance, and that’s certainly what we got at Curzon Ashton (Known as “The Nash” – no I don’t know why either). The Bulls went home with the points having scored three very different, but all excellent, goals. The only blemish on the performance was a moment of slackness that allowed the home side to pull one back late on.

Dale Eve wore the keeper’s gloves behind a back three which had Jordan Thompson in the centre, with Orrin Pendley to his right and striker turned defender Aaron Amadi-Holloway to the left. Fullbacks “Skip” Hodgkiss and Jack Evans were pushed up to provide the width, and Jethro Hanson took  the holding role in front of the defence. Kane Thompson-Sommers (hereafter referred to as KTS) and Harry Pinchard played as the eight and the ten respectively (don’t you just love this modern jargon?). Tyrone Barnett led the attack with Miles Storey providing the pacy support to him.

Hereford made a lively start and took the lead after six minutes. An energetic press led by Barnett gained possession for the Bulls inside the Curzon half. Pinchard curled the ball out to Barnett who had taken up a position on the right. He took a couple of strides to the corner of the penalty area and scored with a powerful diagonal shot which beat the keeper’s dive and found the net just inside the far post.

Hereford continued to have the upper hand without creating any clear cut chances until the 21^st minute when Hanson’s inswinging corner was met with a downward header by Barnett, but the big striker’s effort was well saved by Renshaw, the home keeper.

The game was flowing well, with both teams playing a neat passing game. The Nash started to come more into the game and had chances with shots from Peers and Mahon – the latter’s powerful volley being tipped over by Eve. The biggest threat seemed to come down the home team’s right flank where Richards was operating. He got some useful crosses in but they were dealt with efficiently by the three Bulls’ centre backs. There were no more scoring chances before the interval.

Half time: Curzon Ashton 0 Hereford FC 1

The first real excitement of the second half was a flurry of activity in the Hereford penalty area ending in another good save by Eve from Sam Walker. Shortly after came Hereford’ first substitution, when Thompson left the field. Hereford reverted to a back four with the fullbacks dropping back from what had been their default position on the halfway line. Ryan Maclean came on to restore the width. He had a chance within moments of coming on but couldn’t quite connect with Barnett’s low cross from the right, a Curzon defender just getting his foot in first.

On 66 minutes Pendley punted the ball down the right for Maclean to chase. It would have been beyond most players but the number seven’s terrific pace got him to the ball before it went out and he put over a perfect first time cross for Barnett to head home at the far post. It had to be described as a perfect old-fashioned centre forward’s goal. Barnett’s leap seemed effortless, almost casual, and his demeanour after scoring suggested he didn’t think it was any big deal.

The men in white shirts made it three in the 74^th minute. Neat interpassing between Pinchard, Storey and KTS gave Pinchard the chance to square the ball to Maclean who tucked a neat side footed shot into the net.

The home side got a consolation goal four minutes later when the Bulls failed to cut out a through ball, leaving Peers one-on-one with Eve, and the striker scored easily. 

Shortly afterwards Barnett was subbed off for a well deserved rest, being replaced by Caton.

The Bulls looked a bit edgy for a couple of minutes after the home side scored but regained their composure and saw the game out comfortably with some calm and professional game management.

Full time: Curzon Ashton 1 Hereford FC 3

Hereford: Eve, Hodgkiss, Evans, Thompson-Sommers, Amadi-Holloway, Pinchard, Storey, Hanson, Pendley, Barnett (Caton 79), Thompson (McLean 56). Subs not used: Klukowski, Campbell, Holmes

A fine result. All the players put in a good shift but my joint man of the match award would go to Pendley and Amadi-Holloway. Pendley was dominant in the air, and Amadi-Holloway’s reading of the game and comfort on the ball was outstanding. The team worked hard and defended as a unit – there was one passage of play in the second half where the organisation and effort shown by the midfield and defence working together denied Curzon any chance to play through them.

Gowling commented on how the team were able to switch between the three centre backs and the conventional back four and they certainly looked equally comfortable with both systems. My only observation would be that although Evans was rightly applauded for his attacking play most of The Nash’s attacking opportunities came down his flank – Richards whipped a few low crosses in from the right which fortunately none of the home strikers could get on the end of. Maybe we need to be more switched on about covering in behind when Evans goes forward.

All in all a good game to watch. Both teams played good football and there was very little gamesmanship, few bad fouls, and unless I’m mistaken, no bookings. It’s a nice stadium with a good playing surface and a good atmosphere. The pies were rubbish though.