Oh, What A Night!

Aaron Amadi-Holloway With A Back Flick To Score Hereford's Second Goal

Harwood Bull reports from AFC Fylde where Hereford defeated the league leaders 3-1

As a well-known Scottish philosopher once said, “Football eh? Bloody hell”.

No-one saw this result coming, least of all AFC Fylde. They gifted the Bulls an early scoring opportunity which was gratefully snapped up. After that they dominated the first half but every member of the Bulls team stuck to their job, kept their shape and defended well. Two excellent goals early in the second half put the Bulls into an undreamed of 3-0 lead which they held until the closing stages. Fylde’s late goal didn’t ruffle the Bulls too much and they held out for an outstanding away win.

Hereford lined up with Hodgkiss, Pendley, Amadi-Holloway and Latty-Fairweather in front of Visser. Jethro Hanson had his usual holding role supported by Lloyd and KTS in slightly more advanced roles. Maclean & Holmes were wide right and left, with Ty Barnett the big man up front.

After only three minutes the home keeper was scrambling wide of his goal to save a corner, pursued by Maclean. He failed to hold on to the ball and Maclean pounced, dribbled towards the empty goal and tapped the ball home.

The home team responded to this setback with a period of sustained pressure on the Hereford goal. It was easy to see why they are top of the league, with good skills on the ball, good movement and strong delivery of crosses into the box. However the Bulls were equal to it all. AAH in particular was outstanding with his positioning, reading of the game, and strong defensive headers. On the only occasion when he didn’t make a good clearance, Ryan Lloyd was on hand to make a superb block from the powerful shot by Danny Whitehead.

A Free Kick After Barnett Was Brought Down Came To Nothing

On 35 minutes Hereford had their best chance to increase their lead when Thierry Latty-Fairweather cut in from the left flank and beat three opponents before hitting a powerful shot from a narrow angle which was well saved.

Fylde continued to press but Hereford withstood the pressure well and stood firm until half time.

Half time: AFC Fylde 0 Hereford FC 1

The Bulls took the field unchanged for the second 45, and seemed a bit more on the front foot. On 54 minutes they were awarded a free kick out on the left following a foul on Barnett. The ball was whipped in and AAH showed his striker’s instincts with a neat back heeled flick which found the net at the far post. 

Three minutes later after some slick passing by the Bulls the ball came to Barnett a few yards outside the penalty area. He shifted the ball onto his right foot and hit a perfect shot into the top corner.

You have to make the most of these unexpected moments and the 30-40 Bulls fans behind the goal were enjoying themselves with chants of “Top of the league? You’re having a laugh”, and “Can we play you every week”.

With a comfortable lead the Bulls continued to play well, working hard to limit the home team’s passing opportunities. On 69 minutes there was a double substitution with Pinchard on for Lloyd and Andoh on for Latty-Fairweather. It’s fair to say that TLF wasn’t impressed at being subbed – I’m not an expert in body language but his demeanour said “Why me?”. After 81 minutes Oppong came on to give Tyrone a well earned rest. 

Fylde continued to deliver testing crosses into the Hereford penalty area, and after 87 minutes one dropped to substitute Rowley and he smashed it in. To their credit Hereford weren’t rattled by this and continued to defend well and saw the game out.

Full time: AFC Fylde 1 Hereford FC 3

Hereford line up: Visser, Hodgkiss, Pendley, Latty-Fairweather, Hanson, Thompson-Summers, Holmes, Barnett, Lloyd, Amadi-Holloway, McLean

Man of the Match: unquestionably Aaron Amadi-Holloway for his outstanding defending and a well taken goal.

Such a difference from Saturday. The level of commitment and effort from the Bulls couldn’t be faulted, and their organisation was excellent. The cynics among us could be forgiven for thinking, do they know the new manager (whoever they may be) is watching, and are they playing for their jobs? I guess you couldn’t blame them if they were.

A word about the home club. The quality of the stadium and facilities is way above anything any other team in our league has to offer. It represents a massive investment on the part of the owner, David Haythornthwaite, and is clearly more than good enough for League Two status, which they may well achieve, although they found life pretty tough last time in the National League.

Finally, the question you all want answered: how good were the pies? Well, I have to say that the Steak and Ale (how upmarket is that?) was pretty good, maybe eight out of ten. Still not as good as Guiseley last season though, which has to be the benchmark.

My last report mentioned an old Four Seasons hit. Another one seems appropriate this evening – Oh, What a Night!

Harwood Bull