Josh’s Gameplan Doesn’t Come Off

If ever Pointless had a question for places associated with the FA Cup Hereford would never be a good answer. With the passing of Ron Radford emotion was added to the game with magnificent fans spending almost £1,000 on a long banner across the Meadow End celebrating the greatest moment in Hereford football history. Over an hour before kick off the Meadowenders were loudly singing their songs and the extra lights of the BBC made for an even more special atmosphere.

There were long queues and lots of new faces, the Friday night fixture allowing so many involved with county football on a Saturday to savour the occasion. The Len Weston terrace average age reduced by a decade or maybe even two. The impressive programme sold out more than half an hour beforehand with a Ron Radford centrefold poster. 

Hereford lined up with Eve, Hodgkiss, Evans, Pendley, Amadi-Holloway; Thompson-Sommers, Hanson; McLean, Storey, Pinchard; Barnett. On the bench were two keepers Osment and Wade, Haines, Derricott, Klukowski, Campbell Summers, Caton and Thompson. 4,912 were present with just under 700 from the south coast. 

Veteran match announcer Matt Healey called for a minute’s silence in memory of Ron Radford. The fans thought otherwise and it started from the Meadow End. There’s only one Ronnie Radford, one Ronnie Radford. There’s only one Ronnie Radford, one Ronnie Radford with applause reverberating the ground as one applauded and sang the name of the legend, a most appropriate tribute.

A far better report on the game is available on BBC iPlayer and the Radford tribute is well worth watching. The game was even with the technique of Portsmouth notable but Hereford giving as good as they got. 

An Early Half Chance For Miles Storey

Then Ron above the ground looked down and as a number 11 espied Miles wearing 11. Inspired with the spirit of Radford, Storey robbed Hackett and he was away. Ron always said that the goal he scored was one which could have ended up in the car park, self deprecating and modest. Miles surged on and Herefordian keeper Griffith advanced to narrow the angle. Miles eyed him and sweet as a nutmeg put the ball through his legs for delirium.

And the ground Bullieved. Hereford slowed the pace down, held possession and were heading for half time. Then KJT lost possession but chased and won it back but the ball was lost again for a cross from the left by Ogilvie, Evans was outmuscled at the far post by Bishop who nodded down to Hackett in a large amount of space in the box to easily score.

The game continued back and forth with lots of energy from the Bulls fans as Portsmouth had the majority of possession. McLean and Storey’s pace always looking Hereford’s most likely route to goal.

At half time Gowling clearly decided the Bulls could not chase for a full half so sent his team out in a far more compact shape with Barnett left isolated. Portsmouth pushed keeper Griffith up often playing 30 or 40 yards up allowing Portsmouth to play a very high line. This negated the balls in behind which in the first half had threatened through Ryan and Miles speeding away.

Hereford were having the space squeezed out of them. When they did win possession nobody tried the 70 yard shot to glory that would literally have put Griffiths back in his box.  However, it made sense to conserve energy and not press for the whole half. Build up to a grandstand finish down the slope and the plan had worked against Fylde. Josh was about to switch into offensive mode with Haines and Thompson warming up to come on. Portsmouth though had a corner and Robertson put in an exquisite near post cross. Bishop used his guile to ghost past Orrin and meet the ball and flick it into the far corner. A very impressive training room routine perfectly executed which left Pendley heading fresh air. 

Hereford made the switch but they were chasing the game and for all their endeavours they could not match the crispness of Portsmouth’s passing and their constant searching for space. They brought on Lowery who was returning from injury and he is a very fine player indeed, he ran the game. 

Another Robertson corner saw the impressive Bishop flick the ball down for Piggott to stab home. 

The Bulls kept on trying but they were as should be expected outclassed in the second half. 

It was a wonderful evening with many young faces sampling a special atmosphere. Hereford more than held their own in the first half and Storey was BBC man of the match against his former team. A fine goal and his standard hustling caused Portsmouth problems.

If the Bulls could have held their lead to half time then who knows… The team and the club did the city proud and the legend of Ron Radford remains eternal.