Hereford’s 2023 optimism came crashing down in Gloucester. The Bulls were unchanged for their third game in a row. Visser; Andoh, Pendley, Haines (c), Evans; Hanson; Thompson-Sommers, Pinchard, Lloyd; Amadi-Holloway and Storey. With Wade and Thompson released, Osment and Derricott joined Barnett, McLean and Holmes on the bench.
It was cool and showery but Hereford started brightly. Hereford created opportunities but without getting a strike on goal. Former Bull Dom McHale had an impressive game for Gloucester playing in the hole. Early on Visser saved from him but the need to track him was not identified. Hereford were not pressing as well as they have done in recent wins. Gloucester left back Tiensa was allowed a vast amount of space with Andoh deep and Thompson-Sommers not getting back quickly enough. He had time to look up and pick the perfect spot for his cross and arced a beautiful ball into the middle of the box for the run of McHale who powered his header home.
McHale was the most influential offensive player on the pitch and the Bulls struggled to pick him up. Pinchard was being well marked by Leadbitter by contrast. Harry started to drift left getting joy with Evans and Lloyd assisting him. He also started to play a little higher with Amadi-Holloway doing his Harry Kane impersonation of dropping deeper to create space and opportunities for others. This produced Hereford’s best chance Pinchard powering through the inside left channel beating defenders and holding them off he got into the box with only Brandon Hall to beat. As the keeper advanced Harry fired over when he should have at least hit the target.
Harry then went wide right and as he advanced into the box Nugent tactically fouled him and was booked. Harry’s free kick disappointed. In the creative battle between Pinchard and McHale it was the Gloucester man who made the next decisive intervention winning the ball high up and crossing deep beyond the far post to the unmarked Morgan who headed back invitingly into the six yard box for Dada to stab home.
As so often this season Hereford’s opponents lead through having a greater cutting edge. Gowling did not change things at half time despite it being clear Gloucester were having the better of things. In the second half Hereford gave it a go but you sensed Gloucester were playing within themselves and could raise their level if Hereford got a goal back. A bad pass by Pendley gifted the ball to Agyepong who shot just wide when he should have scored.
Andoh got forward more but this was his poorest game since his return. Thompson-Sommers was taken off after 75 minutes. He is substituted most games and with Hereford needing alternative threats most fans felt he could have been changed earlier as he was not having an offensive impact. Hanson was getting overrun with the Tigers flooding four, five and sometimes six players across midfield. Hereford’s best threat was Haines’ long throws.
Pinchard badly overhit a free kick from the left. Amadi-Holloway had a difficult game. He was closely marked with a second defender coming close to minimise his nicks, flicks and quick passes which are so influential. He also had an afternoon of wrestling with Nugent especially seeking to clasp him. The referee was weak seemingly believing only attackers commit fouls in the penalty box and the Tigers defence took advantage of the latitude granted to them. He was replaced by Barnett who made no greater impact. The referee finally addressed repeated time wasting by booking McHale. Owen Evans crossed for McHale who headed over when he should have scored. One fan asked the rhetorical question of whether a Gowling team had ever come back from two goals down. Nobody could come up with an example. As added time started Holmes came on for Hanson again too late to make an impact. A challenge by Andrews caught short fuse Haines. Andrews was booked but yet again Luke lost it and was unnecessarily booked as the last act of the game. If you had bet on Luke getting booked each game you would have made a considerable profit this season.
Gloucester manager King has a striking dress sense. It was his football nous which deconstructed Hereford. His plan was fairly simple defend a little deeper and do not play a high line. Allow less space for Storey to run into and exploit his pace. That worked. Press Pinchard most. Press Lloyd next. Stop the two most influential players. Both Harry and Ryan found ways to get into the game but were paid the compliment of being targeted. The most influential player on the pitch was former Bull Leadbitter. He sat in front of the Tigers centre backs picking up Pinchard whenever he was central. If he did not need to pick up Harry he got close to Amadi-Holloway so that Aaron was double marked. This resulted in his least effective performance since moving forwards in the team.
The pressing in packs of recent games was less evident. Gowling out managed did not respond. No rotating nor switching wings of midfield players. Pinchard moved left to get some freedom and Lloyd came more into the game in the second half. However, Thompson-Sommers made little impact. All the substitutions could and should have been made earlier. Too often the approach is inflexible and one more heave. Centre back Nugent was booked after half an hour yet there was no attempt to run at him and exploit this weakness. It was the same when Pearce was booked for Kidderminster. More and more fans are bemused by Gowling’s decisions.
Against Farsley Bulls fans were exhilarated at half time after an attacking master class. The opportunity was there to score more and improve goal difference which could be important for promotion, play offs or relegation. Also it would have allowed fans to go home and say what a treat friends and family had missed and encourage fans back. Instead Gowling pulled the team back into the 4-2-3-1 formation he has preferred. Against Gloucester Hanson needed help and a switch to 4-2-3-1 would have made sense. Most Bulls fans fail to understand what Gowling is up to. The calls for him to go popped up again and Gloucester sang that he would be sacked in the morning. Few Hereford fans gave up the warm applause usually offered at the end. Gloucester’s financial problems had seen them release their better paid players recently. Tigers fans were not optimistic with Hereford’s better financial resources. They were rewarded, for although Hereford had the better players, Gloucester had the better team on the day.
Man of the match was Evans given a hard time first time half but always up for the challenge. He seems to get stronger as the game goes on and looked the mostly likely to create a goal and shot over when well placed. At the end he is first to talk to fans and last to finish selfies.
After the final whistle Gowling stayed in his now customary distant position in the middle of the pitch away from the fans. Several supporters politely asked him to come over to talk and he stayed away. Whilst he may not have lost all of the the crowd he has lost the ability to talk to the crowd.