A Win’s A Win

With other reporters mentioning their pie and food preferences my recommendation before the game is Traditional Fish and Chips in Tupsley. Often it is the pre-match which is better than the game itself. Like dozens of other fans as I walk from Blackfriars Street down past the main entrance I stop and buy 50/50 tickets from Sarah Hudd, Secretary of Hereford’s Supporters Trust. Sarah has sold programmes as well so she has fundraised a sizeable five figure sum for the club over recent years. She’s one of the quiet heroines who has rebuilt football at Edgar Street. Like many other volunteers she often misses the start of matches. Sarah’s unwell at the minute so I missed exchanging our thoughts on the football and I know many others do as well. Get well soon Sarah.

The weather was fine and perhaps boosted the crowd of 2,222 with 21 from Hertfordshire. The budget was extended to bring in new players. Striker Freemantle was infected and absent. The defence was Pond, Skinner, Howkins, captain Downing, and Cranston. Teixeira and Lyden sat with new signing Tolley joining Babos and Ceesay behind Rooney. 

On the bench were Livingstone, Ryley, Stanley, Arthur and Mendes. As ever there is some fluidity to the formation. Rooney is becoming a little bit of a marmite figure. For me he is the new Ryan Lloyd, only fully appreciated if all the work he does off the ball is taken into account. In the opening quarter he pulled the Stortford centre backs out of position making space for others. At times Babos was more advanced, but was unable to take advantage of the freedom he was given. 

Was Babos Brought Down?

Sometimes Rooney was behind the three notionally behind him, it poses questions to the opposition. Hereford were poorer when he was subbed in the second half, his organisational skills make a difference.

Another week, another lively scoring start from Ceesay. A quick throw in on the left from Babos caught the Bishops on their heels and Yousaf cut inside and finished well inside the near post. 

Ceesay Cuts Inside Before Scoring

Sorry No Pictures Of The Goal

He’s probably the only Hereford attacker with a more than 50% shot ratio for hitting the target. 

Bishops were poor, probably only Southport have been worse. Greene on the left caused Skinner a few problems to start with, but as so often Aaron worked things out.

Bishop Stortford have greater striker problems than Hereford. Howkins and Derry came together, both hurt but unfortunately Blues striker Derry had to be stretchered off. 

With no striker on the bench midfielder Braney came on. The Bulls were on top but could not take advantage. Tolley got down the right well and put in several crosses but none really threatened. A combination of poor crossing but also not having players to hit. Nonetheless there were some promising runs to give hope for the future.

Jack Tolley Crosses Towards Ceesay

Although Hereford had been better in the eight minutes added on Henshaw volleyed over from a cleared corner. A warning that the single goal lead was perilous. A poor clearance at the other end fell to Rooney but he shot wide.

Pond At Full Stretch

At half time Stortford brought on Foxley and Peters for Thomas and Howard. This was understandable as several of their players looked below par. Mendes came on for Tolley after an hour. 

Just Before He Was Subbed Tolley Received A Knock To His Face

Stanley then replaced Rooney.  Babos had a golden run of half the pitch, but when he reached the box he tried to score a wonder goal and Foxley tackled him. He had a square ball available to Stanley which looked far more promising.

Gradually Bishops were getting the better of a poor game. Arthur came on for Babos who had a disappointing game. Alex is better playing a more advanced midfield role but his decision making was erratic. He created the goal but he could have passed at other times to better placed colleagues. He does not yet look the player who at Banbury was very influential in both games against the Bulls last season.

Bishops finished the stronger with pinball in the box at times, but they look even less likely to score than Hereford. This was a poor match between two poor sides. The one real moment of quality was Ceesay’s superb goal, twisting and turning two defenders and I would agree with the sponsors who made him man of the match. He kept going and remained a threat throughout, an out ball that was not exploited enough. His speed should invite diagonal balls in behind for him to race on to. That’s how the goal was made.

Cranston looks out of form too often putting his hand up to acknowledge a poor pass or touch and also the most vulnerable of the defenders. He was booked for repeated fouling. Captain Downing cruised through the game. Lyden tired and as he was less influential the away team came back into the game. He picked up a yellow for time wasting at the end. However, he bossed midfield for an hour and is clearly trying to improve Teixeira’s decision making. 

Of the substitutes Mendes always looked the most likely. It was frustrating to see some selfishness when he was better placed. The young attackers would be well advised to look out for Lassana. He has excellent game intelligence and the second crucial goal was more likely from finding him than trying to score a wonder goal. A game which will not live long in the memory apart from Ceesay’s classy goal. A win’s a win.