The Dog Days Are Over

New Chairman Ammonds  has created an amazing amount of positivity. Pessimists worry that it could be David Keyte and Simon Davey, but to me it feels more Frank Miles and Colin Addison. Just being in town before the game the buzz was there. As kick off approached hundreds of people were milling outside Radford and there were lengthy queues at the ticket offices. All credit to Darlington bringing 185 to take the crowd over 3,000 to 3,152. 

Hereford lined up with Pond; Skinner in for Southern, Howkins in for Derricott, captain Cameron, Cranston; Obinna in for Stanley, Babos, Teixeira, Livingstone; Rooney, Cowley. On the bench were Hewlett, Stanley, Singh, Southern and Arthur.

The game started evenly with Livingstone seeing plenty of the ball. Hereford setting up with a tweaked 4 4 2. Up front Rooney often drops off making almost a 4 4 1 1. The banks of 4 are quick to get into position and when sitting deep out of possession are difficult to play through. There’s a little flexibility. Obinna clearly had licence to get forward and to exploit his pace, at times he became a third attacker. By contrast Livingstone tucks in more and provides auxiliary defensive cover.

Darlington have a number of talented players. Kaine on the right flank was a handful and got in several good crosses. One particularly dangerous ball in the corridor of uncertainty was skilfully flicked away by Skinner. Hereford had a succession of chances. A straightforward shot by Cowley saved easily by Taylor. A dipping shot just inside the post from Livingstone which again Taylor saved. 

Best of all Cowley’s ceaseless chasing caught out the Darlo back line. Having won possession and controlled it, unselfishly he passed to a possibly surprised Rooney and Jason slightly over cooked his pass so the golden opportunity went begging.

Hereford were the better side and creating opportunities but could not take one. Darlington were a little sly and refreshingly referee Scholes was prepared to book in the first half. Kaine, Moke and Mustoe all booked for naughtiness. 

Fair Tackle Or Was Rooney Brought Down?

The Quakers tried throughout to slow the game and waste time, picking the ball up whenever it ran dead. There was a nice moment when under pressure in the second half right back Griffiths went down with the Bulls having a corner and clasped his head. In the past this would see a chance for the defence to reorganise and the clock would be run down.

Referee Scholes appeared to explain to Griffiths that as he was on the touch line he could leave the pitch for treatment but the game would continue and he would not be allowed back on for thirty seconds with the new rule change. With the prospect of only ten men to defend the corner Griffiths decided that the knock wasn’t anything serious jumped up and got in position. Let’s hope for more of this through the season.

Livingstone Tries His Luck

The Bulls deserved to go in ahead, but came out and immediately attacked Obinna racing down the left, shooting from an acute angle and seeing his shot come back from the inside of the far post. That’s the new Caddis style, quick, attacking, direct football.Worryingly Hereford struggled at times when they lost possession and a combination of poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping by Pond prevented the Quakers from scoring.

Stanley came on for Obinna. Obinna has shown, several flashes and his raw pace promises much. Things haven’t quite run for him but he looks on the verge of making a significant contribution. 

Obinna Tests Taylor

Nelson came on for Moke and was soon booked. Darlington continued to waste time, looking happy with a point and perhaps not relishing the high intensity game Hereford wanted to play. Pond has very good distribution more than once using his trusty left boot to ping the ball to Cowley. Rooney was booked but it was unclear what it was for.

Hereford Free Kick But Cowley Is Crowded Out

Curry came on for striker Hazel. Hazel had had a right old battle with Howkins with both giving no quarter. Hazel is a master time waster. Arthur came on for Livingstone. The game seemed set to be goalless. A driving run by Babos down the inside left channel saw him surge into the box. He did a sort of soft shoe shuffle and the change of pace drew a challenge from Griffiths. Babos tumbling and there was no hesitation from Scholes to point to the penalty spot.

Rooney stood up to take the pressure penalty. How many hundred fans might not return on Tuesday if they hadn’t seen a goal nor a win. How many thousands of revenue to sign players might those missing fans impact on the management budget? Who knows, but a poor Rooney penalty was easily saved by Taylor the ball rebounding out. 

But in failure we saw what Caddis demands. Both Cowley and Stanley chased hard for the loose ball on the left, Darlington’s defenders were lethargic by comparison. 

Cowley got the ball and raced across the eighteen yard line, riding a challenge and firing in on goal. Blocked the ball rebounded to Babos on the edge of the D. He saw Stanley calling for it in space on the left of the box. Alex pinged it hard. Stanley controlled and turned in one graceful movement. Centre back Lawlor sensing danger dashed out but Stanley fired towards the far post. Lawlor lunged, late, but just getting a part block which saw the ball spin and loop into the top corner. Cruel on keeper Taylor who was outstanding.

Cowley With The Initial Shot Which The Keeper Saved

Eventually The Ball Arrived At Stanley's Feet

He Turned And Shot

And The Keeper Could Only Watch As It Dipped Under The Crossbar

Celebrations

Mayhem ensued. Darlington now benefited from their time wasting. Eight added minutes but more than ten were played. A long ball saw Salkeld waltz through the middle but Pond was quickly off his line to block. Hewlett came on for Cowley and the Bulls held on for the win.

Hereford deserved the win. Things have changed quickly. Last autumn Darlington outplayed Hereford scoring two lovely goals and bullying the Bulls. They lost their star striker and faded badly after Christmas. A rare bright spot was a 3 - 0 victory over a Hereford side with too many players not giving their all. Now Darlington struggle to score and the Bulls are more resolute. All the back four did the other side of football at times to frustrate the Quakers. Keeper Pond looks a real find, he’s such a presence, makes good decisions and lots of saves. A great left foot and he commands his area. My man of the match was Babos constant in midfield, he won the penalty and assisted for the goal. The Tom Owen-Evans sized gap from last season looks like it has been filled. Stanley has some neat tricks with his fast feet, but was too easily knocked off the ball so you can see why he has only been given a short term contract. The exquisite technique for the goal needs greater match capacity. 

Cameron captains at the back and Rooney manages across the team. This is a high level of professionalism and the team benefit from it. A Darlington team with better strikers though would have scored two or three as the game opened up in the last half hour. There’s a need for more pace at the back and/or a more defensive minded midfielder. But Darlington did not like Hereford’s relentless harrying epitomised by Cowley. In the second half the Quakers were very keen to get a drinks break in. 

Finally it looks like Hereford will punch their weight in this division. One of the biggest clubs, with a proper ground and top three attendances and revenue. So pop Florence and the Machine on:

The dog days are over

The dog days are done

The horses are coming

So you better run

This team are going to run and run, and just like they did to Darlington run teams into the ground.