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If the Bulls can start consistently grinding out good results such as Saturday’s away, backed up by home performances with a bit of added panache, everyone will be happy, and this match would be a good time to start doing that second bit. A panache-filled 5-0 win would put the club in the play-off positions for the first time this season, but any sort of win would be lovely, and would put the Whites right in the mix and still with a game in hand over most of those around them.
Disappointingly there was still no sign of Ryan Lloyd last Saturday, although Thierry Latty-Fairweather did briefly resurface before suffering a recurrence of the injury that has kept him out recently.
The return of Callum Rowe for a second spell at Hereford looks like a good bit of business by Josh Gowling. He looked quite cultured in his brief time with the club last time when on loan from Villa. Having been released by them, he’s most recently been with Salisbury, but it’s not clear on what terms he’s back with Hereford now.
In what was a fairly attritional affair at Telford, several of the already battered and bruised will have become more so, and others previously relatively healthy will have joined their ranks, with goalkeeper Brad Wade a possible doubt here following signs that his shoulder injury hasn’t fully healed. If so, that was a Bert Trautmannesque performance at Telford on Saturday. (Yes folks, you can always rely on this column for its bang-up-to-date football references).
Ryan McLean could be on the naughty step for this match following his straight red on Saturday, although it’s understood that the club is appealing that red card decision, and is optimistic of success. Hopefully he’ll play, and hopefully he’ll be interviewed afterwards, because his deadpan wit and honesty are always enjoyable to hear.
With several doubtful starters and definite no-nos, something that would be really good to see would be a start for Mark Derricott. I’m sure it would give an added buzz to the atmosphere too, with everyone willing him to succeed. Oh and a competent referee would be nice.
Tuesday’s guests have flown up the pyramid with successive promotions since the 2015/16 season. Suspicions that the National League North would find them out looked to be misplaced as they started the season with a bang, but lately they’ve slowed down somewhat, and slipped down the table accordingly.
They’re currently a place below Hereford, on the same number of points having played two more games. They’ve only won one of their last seven. Last time they drew 1-1 at home with Spennymoor.
Bulls nemesis Michael Gash plays up front for Sports, but with just three goals in 16 games age is perhaps catching up with the 36-year-old, now in a player-coach role, although even if he was 86 he’d find a way to score against Hereford. He always seems to. Strike partner Mark Jones averages a goal every other game for the club over 220+ appearances. Like Gash he has three this season, and like Gash he’s knocking on a bit. That impressive strike rate can perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt as he’s been with the club as they’ve gone through the pub leagues, so there was presumably a bit of flat-track bullying going on there a few years ago to rack up the goals, a la John Mills.
Winger Dion Sembie-Ferris has gone one better than the club’s strikers with four goals this season, but overall he’s scored a hugely impressive 39 in 56 appearances since joining Peterborough in 2018. Very much a danger man.
Another player of note at the club is ex-Bull Jordan Nicholson. When he first arrived at Edgar Street I thought he looked hugely impressive, but then he faded quite dramatically. That potential seems to have blossomed in spades since he moved to Peterborough, where he’s scored 18 in 31 games since joining the Turbines in 2020. He scored six in eight this season before breaking his leg against Redditch in September, and isn’t expected back until next weekend (which seems very quick for a broken leg to heal). He’s an East Anglian by birth so perhaps he was homesick in the Marches. It certainly couldn’t have been the coaching of Richards and Harris that was to blame, could it? All of which is to say that his absence on Tuesday looks to be very much in the home side’s favour.
Peterborough have been managed throughout that whizz up the leagues by Jimmy Dean. Disappointingly his assistant isn’t Marlon Brando, and Marilyn Monroe isn’t the physio.
Good opportunity this.
COYW