Harwood Bull watched Hereford lose at Spennymoor last night.
Supporters of a certain age may remember a 60s hit with a irrititatingly high pitched vocal called “Let’s hang on to what we’ve got”. This simple sentiment seems to completely escape the Bulls – we’ve lost games from winning positions on more than one occasion already this season. On Tuesday evening, having survived a first half battering by the home side, and playing much better in the second half, they contrived to throw it all away, conceding in the 92 minute to hand Moors the win.
Thierry Latty-Fairweather has returned to the club, restoring the Bulls to their full quota of players with double-barrelled surnames. He was at left back, with Amadi-Holloway, Pendley and Andoh completing the back four in from of Dino Visser. The midfield diamond continued, with Jethro Hanson at the base, Thompson-Sommers on the right and Lloyd on the left. Harry Pinchard played just behind the front two of Maclean and the on-loan Colin Oppong.
The Bulls were up against it from the start. You’ve probably all seen the highlights by now so I won’t go into too many details. Glen Taylor is well known as one of the most consistent goalscorers in non-league football and the battle between him and AAH was entertaining. The Hereford man did pretty well overall but Taylor doesn’t need to much room to make an impact, as we were to find to our cost later,
Right back Lufudu had terrific pace and got in behind the Bulls defence several times creating chances which were thwarted by good saves from Visser and some frantic defending by the Bulls side. Visser did particularly well to stop a close range effort from Rob Ramshaw and then recover to block the follow up from Paul Blackett. Hereford mustered few real attacking threats and were constantly pressed back, frequently recovering possession only to lose it again. Blackett had the ball in the net in first half time added on but to the Bulls’ relief the flag was raised for offside. They were even more relieved to hear the half time whistle.
Half Time: Spennymoor Town 0 Hereford FC 0
At half time Gowling tweaked the formation, bringing Jarvis on for Hanson, with Lloyd moving to the anchor position in midfield. That, combined with the Bulls playing with the slope and the wind made a difference. Lloyd pushes and probes well from that position, and gets a foot in to break up opposition attacks effectively.
On 58 minutes the always dangerous Taylor saw his shot saved by Visser. The ball broke loose and a few seconds scramble followed, with Spenny shouting for a penalty. The ref ignored their appeals and Maclean raced away down the right wing, evading a number of challenges before driving a low ball across the 6 yard line with no-one in a red shirt able to get on the end of it.
On 68 minutes Jarvis put Maclean through, he raced into a good position before shooting high over the bar. Hereford’s best chance followed shortly after when TLF (wasn’t that a 90s band?) made a good run down the right before cutting inside and getting off a good shot that the home keeper pushed onto the post.
Amadi-Holloway had to go off to be replaced by Zak Lilly. Whether this upset the organisation is hard to say, but as the game entered the 92 minute, and appeared to be heading for a draw, Taylor, who has been our downfall in the past, was put away down the left. Not sure where Andoh was but as Pendley raced across to cover, Taylor cut inside and shot – Visser got down to make the save but couldn’t hold the ball, leaving Blackett a tap in. There was no time for the Bulls to recover, and that was that.
Full Time: Spennymoor Town 1 Hereford FC 0
Hereford: Visser, Andoh, Amadi-Holloway (Lilly), Pendley, Latty-Fairweather, Hanson (Jarvis), Thompson-Sommers, Lloyd, Pinchard, McLean, Oppong
Subs: Hodgkiss, Klukowski, Holmes
Spennymoor Town: Langley, Lufudu, Wombwell, Curtis, Taylor, Ramshaw, Ross, Kendall, Mbeka, McKeown, Blackett
Subs: Flatters, Tait, Anderson, Wheatley, Shanks
A very frustrating finish. Yet again the Bulls let points slip, having worked hard and withstood some intense pressure, only to give it all a way with a lapse of concentration. I don’t know how serious AAH’s injury is but it certainly isn’t good news. The season looks like fizzling out unless something remarkable happens.
The stadium announcer, when giving details of the attendance said “and 32 made the long journey from Hereford”. It was only 30 really, as my father in law and I only travelled from Lancashire.I have to say I’m full of admiration for anyone making the long trip from the shire, as my journey was only two and a half hours and that wasn’t very enjoyable. I didn’t get home until half past midnight so Herefordians must have been on the road until well after 3 a.m. Good on yer.
At half time, while enjoying (?) a ridiculously overpriced Bovril (£2.50!) we had a chat with Keith Hicks and his wife. He’s former Hereford United defender who played over 200 games in the white shirt. He’s often seen at Bulls games in the north and obviously still feels a lot of affection or loyalty for the club. He’s a very nice chap, and his wife was very pleasant too. He has some interesting stories to tell and is happy to share them.
It was a disappointing, cold and windy night. The pies only scored five out of ten as well.
Harwood Bull