Paul Caddis Was Here

A boy comes out of Addisons all excited “Paul Caddis is here”. A week ago like most Bulls fans he would have known nothing of the new manager, but now everyone is eager. Programmes sell out. The crowd is better than might be expected 1,767 with 18 from West Yorkshire. If only there was a hint of promotion there would be a thousand or two more. The lingering longing hangs heavy in the air. Fans are optimistic players will want to impress the new man and earn a contract for next season.

Eve continued in goal, Egan came in for injured right back Hodgkiss, Pendley, Lilly and Evans completing the defence. The diamond was captain Haines, KTS on the right and Jarvis on the left coming in for Lloyd with Pinchard at the tip. Although out of possession it was often a traditional four with Thompson-Sommers and captain Haines, the deeper central pair. Amadi-Holloway and Storey continuing up top with McLean, Lloyd, Derricott, Hanson and Barnett on the bench.

Bradford needing a win to avoid relegation came out stronger but they were Hereford in disguise. Promising approach play, creating opportunities but not chances and lacking a cutting edge. Their dead balls were inconsistent and whilst on top they did not look as if they could create the goal their play deserved. Jarvis picked up a knock after fifteen minutes and was replaced by Lloyd. 

Hereford gradually got more in the game and won a free kick in a promising position when Amadi was fouled but Pinchard’s effort was comfortably saved by Sykes-Kenworthy. 

Bradford responded winning a corner. From it Eve did very well to palm away Fielding’s effort. La-Bastide recycled to Fielding who thankfully failed to hit the target. Hereford were getting joy on the break but players often failed to take responsibility passing when well placed to get a strike in.

Egan was booked for a tactical foul on Staunton. Although the half had been end to end, both teams were especially poor in the box and the quality belonged to a division or even two below. 

Hereford came out and immediately created their best chance. Evans and Storey combining on the left to find Thompson-Sommers whose effort was well saved by Sykes-Kenworthy.

Luke Thompson-Summers

Hereford had gone up a gear and from a corner Pendley tried a quick reaction flick which Bradford’s best player Sykes-Kenworthy saved. Earlier Pendley had reacted with a cheeky back heeled effort in a similar situation. Part of Hereford’s goal scoring problem is that the centre back shows the instincts of a striker more than the strikers.

Storey, Lloyd and Evans were the triumvirate most likely to create down the left. Good work by Storey found Evans in the box but his shot was at a comfortable height when hard and low either side would have troubled Sykes-Kenworthy more and offered the possibility of a rebound. 

Bradford seemed to be well behind Hereford on fitness. Players took turns to go down and waste time, which seemed odd as they desperately needed to win to avoid relegation. The fitness of Evans, Storey and others exhausted the Yorkshiremen.

Chance For Harry Pinchard

Klukowski seeing this brought on McLean for Haines, switching KTS into a more central position. Bradford brought on Dockerty for La Bastide. Pinchard fed Miles and when the ball came to him fired in high towards the corner bringing out a very good save from Sykes-Kenworthy. Egan on a booking was subbed for Derricott. Bradford broke well but Richman continued the poor finishing of the afternoon firing over. Avenue brought on Smith for Lund. 

Hereford were on top and Pendley, Amadi-Holloway and Storey all failed to get decent opportunities on target. Bradford were increasingly desperate and when the ball fell to Dockerty he epitomised the afternoon’s awful finishing firing over the bar from close range. 

Right at the end the season was epitomised in a minute. Bradford won a corner and the keeper went up. Hereford cleared and found Storey on the left. He beat one man for pace and then when seemingly going to be stopped beat another tight on the touch line close to the half way line. The keeper and defenders were racing back but nobody catches Miles he cut in as he headed for the box and had an empty net to pass into from a wide angle with one defender running back. He opted against and passed to the far post to KTS who had rushed forward. He was in space. He had time to control the ball. All he had to do was hit the target but he blazed over.

 

Man of the match? Why not give it to referee Morland, you didn’t notice him and he seemed to get the vast majority of decisions right. Match sponsor Simon Girling was celebrating 50 years of coming to Edgar Street. He selected Eve who made some good saves. Despite missing the last minute golden opportunity Storey worked hard, created lots of opportunities and always looked the most likely. He gave Odunston a difficult afternoon and he has created a very good understanding with Evans, Lloyd and Amadi-Holloway.

Some fans worried beforehand that in front of the new manager the team might turn it on free of the worry of relegation. Yet this was an all too typical display. Hereford were far fitter than Bradford. Technically every Bull looked better than their counterpart. Yet mentally the pressure that new manager Paul Caddis was here was too much for several players. There has been so little sustained confidence in the team’s capabilities this season. Maybe Paul Caddis can find motivational methods which eluded Josh and Yan but more likely it would seem at least half the players on the field yesterday will have played their last game at Edgar Street. If you can’t cope with a new manager sat in the stand how would you react to play off games?