Visser Rescues A Point

Long story short. Hereford played well in parts but were unable to score the goals their play deserved. Groundhog Day for the Bulls for more detail, read on…

It was a bitter, cold, grey day with intermittent rain and on higher areas in the Shire snow and sleet. At Telford  thirty or so Bulls fans were escorted from the station to the ground by the police. The compliment was returned with maybe forty Bucks boys, receiving a heavy police presence. It almost felt as if there was one police officer for each of the 144 Telford fans in the crowd of 1,821. A poor turnout by Telford standards but they have had a horrendous season and could only name two substitutes and an assistant manager who never normally plays on the bench.

It puts into context those who wrongly claim Hereford have one of the poorest footballing budgets in the division. Klukowski had the luxury of deciding who would be on the bench with far more available players. He made two changes from the Chorley game bringing in skipper Hodgkiss for the injured Latty-Fairweather, Andoh moving to left back alongside Amadi-Holloway and Egan in front of Visser. In midfield were Hanson, Lloyd, Thompson-Sommers, McLean and Holmes who came in for Barnett with Storey moving up front.

On the bench were Barnett, Pinchard, Lilly, Jarvis and as an old fashioned supporter I was pleased to see keeper Osment on the bench, just in case. 

Telford flew out of the blocks and came committed to get something. Much improved from the dreadful team Hereford struggled to beat in November. They were pressing well turning over the ball and the Bulls took a little while to get up to speed. Telford could have threatened more but too often poor control or a heavy touch frustrated their best efforts. It was clear to see the difference in quality between the teams but the Bucks greater commitment kept them in the game.

Andoh with a good run fed Holmes whose finish was too central and easily saved by Young. 

The game was entertainingly back and forth but both sides failed to find quality finishing. 

McLean With A Chance

Storey is hitting the target but at too comfortable a height which made for an athletic but straightforward save by Young. 

Shot From Ryan Lloyd

Telford responded with a routine free kick easily gathered by Visser. Daniels hit the Bucks next free kick into the box and Gibson glanced a looping header which Visser did well to scramble and tip away. 

 

KTS went down after a heavy challenge. He tried to run it off but was clearly in pain and was subbed at half time with Jarvis coming on.

The game started flatter in the second half. Amadi-Holloway was booked for a foul. He was well tested by Kai Williams who looked very quick but had an inconsistent touch. Williams is so fast he was able to keep pace with Miles when defending late in the half. Hanson went down in the box but it was a stumble and the look at the referee for a penalty was a little sheepish. Holmes had been tightly marked but he drifted further to the left and started to combine well with Andoh. 

Good work seeing Levi force an excellent save from Young and then later hit the bar. For about twenty minutes the spirit of Chris Price came upon Andoh and he was almost unplayable with one lovely cut back sending Burke sliding on the floor the other way.

Jamie Egan Heads Towards Goal

Hereford took off Holmes and brought on Barnett seeking to play McLean and Storey down the flanks with Jarvis probing. The strategy was failed by the officials. The assistant referee nearer the Meadow End flagging on when the ball arrived rather then when it was played too often. Telford central defender Flowers produced a fine exhibition of shirt pulling and wrestling. Referee Wootton naively believing it was always Barnett or Storey who was fouling.

Ryan Lloyd's Effort Went Wide

Telford took off Bood and brought on Salmon. The new player quickly making an impact when fouled by Hodgkiss just inside the box, a penalty was awarded. Gibson strode up, hit it low and left but Visser dropped on it impressively grabbing a hard hit shot and avoiding any rebound possibilities. 

The greatest moment of quality on the day and sponsors the Robertson family awarded Dino the man of the match for this and other fine saves. At a time of the season when fans are drawing up their wish lists of who they would like to watch next season, the keeper seems a keeper.

Telford took off Daniels for Livingstone and the Bulls swapped Lloyd and Pinchard. The Bulls using Andoh again got down the left fed Barnett and when he turned it across the box McLean pushed the ball wide when he should have scored. 

Ryan who lives in Telford had several good runs. Twice storming bursts saw him feed balls across in the first half to Holmes and in the second half to Storey. Both players stayed at the far post and with two or three defenders in between it is odds against the ball getting across. The lack of near post runs is another factor to explain why the Bulls have scored so few goals this season.

It is as if the players have had goal scoring coached out of them over the last few years. Well organised, defensive (everyone back for corners) but not focused on winning rather than drawing. When McLean was signed he had an excellent goal scoring record. Fans at Newcastle Town talked about the ice in his veins. Initially very one footed quality coaching by Gowling and hard work has made Ryan a better all round player but those goal scoring instincts have somehow been lost in making a team player. Opinion is divided amongst fans on whether to keep Ryan or not. If there is a coach who can focus on his finishing Ryan shows skills which could easily see him play at this level or higher. Defenders hate pace.

Storey was booked for a later foul and whilst the entertainment had been reasonable the quality was poor. As Telford tired there were more misplaced passes and poor control. Some Hereford players went down to their level. Hereford became the better side as the game went on but could not convert their possession into goals, so a team almost certain to be relegated took away a point. Telford’s attitude was spot on.