The Clocks Go Forward Early

You have lost an hour. Some lost it in the middle of the night but 1,360 lost it on Saturday after Kings Lynn took the lead. Only the 54 Norfolk folk will have enjoyed this. Kings Lynn had to win to keep chasing the only automatic place. Accordingly Klukowski switched to three at the back, Egan, Amadi-Holloway and the returning Lilly in front of Visser. This allowed the pace of McLean to raid on the right, captain Hodgkiss was more circumspect on the left. The rapidly departing Latty-Fairweather and Andoh were still named in the programme. Hanson sat in midfield with Jarvis on the right and Lloyd on the left, Storey playing off Barnett up front.

On the bench were Haines, Pinchard, Derricott, Holmes and Lawton. It was a blustery sunshine and showers day. Lynn came out fired up and played some attractive football, the sort Hereford aspire to. Widdrington and Clunan getting the upper hand in midfield which the Linnets held for most of the match. Gradually the Bulls worked their way into the game Storey working well down the left but the penalty area is a Bermuda Triangle where radar goes awry.

 

The hoary old joke about players nicknamed jigsaw because they go to pieces in the box could apply to half the team at the moment. Widdrington was booked for a naughty challenge early on showing the Linnets determination. Referee Read had a good game booking in the first fifteen minutes when others fail to and giving final warnings about time wasting in the second half which curbed the conning.

Storey crossed to Barnett whose chest trap opened up a world of possibilities. Hard and low inside the near post? The percentage option across the keeper? Just hit it hard and get it on target? Unfortunately Tyrone blasted over like Harry Kane’s World Cup penalty and that was as close as Hereford were to get in the half.

Lynn were playing 5-3-2 but such was their commitment to converting chances it was a 3-4-3 much of the time. More crisp and pleasing passing saw the ball well worked to Oxlade-Chamberlain. He made space and curled a delightful ball into the net giving Visser no chance. 

Quality play in the style of Owen-Evans (If Kidderminster are unhappy with him can we have him back and his goals please.) For the second Saturday running Hanson will be disappointed he did not close down but in fairness to Jethro the Lynn midfield’s triangles were pretty and effective. 

Captain Clunan always seems to have a good game against the Bulls. I wonder if Hereford legend Tommy Hughes was watching his namesake shoot over for the Linnets. Klukowski had set up for passes to be slid in behind for Storey and McLean’s pace but this hardly happened. A veteran Ledbury fan said at half time that there was not much between the teams except Lynn had scored. And that in a nutshell summarises probably half of the Bulls games this season. The team having scored and got shots on target in abundance only a few weeks ago have reverted back to full cautious Gowlingitis.

Zac Lilly Goes Down But No Free Kick Given

Groundhog Day again. Lynn expecting a raised performance from the Bulls were comfortable and surprised perhaps at how Hereford laboured. You sensed that Lynn were playing within themselves and could go up a level if needed. Hughes tactically fouled Storey when Miles was on the verge of breaking and was booked. Hughes acknowledged to Storey that he was only doing what was needed to win the match and Miles accepted this. Miles greater problem was that too many of his team mates were not doing what was needed to win the match.

Lynn brought on Ponticelli for Cosgrave. Lloyd welcomed Ponticelli with a foul and was booked. Ryan was immediately substituted with Pinchard coming on and at the same time Lawton came on for Egan. This appeared to be tactical as Egan had played well, bringing the ball forward on a few occasions. Loanee left back Lawton played in a back four with captain Jared switching to right back. Widdrington on a yellow was subbed with Omatayo coming on.

And then the highlight of the match for home fans. Harry Pinchard advanced and from distance shot on target. That’s as good as it got a routine save by Dixon-House. 

Barrett replaced Hughes who had been booked. Haines came on for Hanson. Jethro had not been able to get to grips with a top six side for the second time in a week. Barrett pulled back Pinchard and was booked. The game petered out Hereford forcing a couple of corners. 

The Talking Bull football experts made Amadi-Holloway the man of the match and he remains on a higher plane. Oxlade-Chamberlain was the best player on the pitch equally comfortable in midfield and at right back when Lynn adapted to Hereford’s change of formation.

Sub Luke Haines Tries His Luck

Hereford's Last Chance Of The Game - Amadi-Holloway Heads Down Towards Lilly

It feels bad. Like when the Bulls slipped out of the League. It remains highly unlikely but this listlessness and lack of cutting edge is worrying. As Mark Jones has suggested Hereford should be able to grind out three 0-0s to secure safety. Five hundred or more fans found other things to do on a Saturday afternoon and they probably had more fun. Hereford finish with two games against sides in the bottom three. It might be worth keeping April 22nd against Bradford PA free in the diary. The Bulls may need a big turnout.

Next season the Bulls should be playing former Football League sides Gateshead and Scunthorpe but there’s a small growing chance that they could be playing Thame, Spalding and Ware.