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I don’t know of the etiquette, but if the FA does bring out the velvet bag when doing the draw for these early stages of the FA Cup, rather than an old Tesco carrier bag that Sven Goran Eriksson used to use to carry his sandwiches in, it’s once again been kind to the Bulls. Not only are they home again, but the opposition, Cambridge City, are from the same division as Anstey Nomads, ie two levels beneath Hereford. This, therefore, is very much a game that should see the hosts progress towards the business end of the competition, namely the first round proper, at which point the velvet bag definitely gets an airing, even if the swede and Freetown Kudos no longer do. Having said that, Freetown Kudos is presumably no longer with us, having passed to the eternal cattle market in the sky.
However, before we get too carried away, last week’s narrow victory against a poor Bishops Stortford side was at times worryingly disjointed, to the extent that I saw someone leave with ten minutes to go with the words ‘This is unwatchable’. Possibly a bit harsh and they may have had to dash off to watch some paint dry, but I can’t remember that happening before when the home side is leading. Paul Caddis didn’t shy away from more-or-less agreeing with the early departer in his post-match assessment, and his honesty is appreciated. He doesn’t make excuses and he doesn’t do claptrap. I hate claptrap.
So, until the squad does finally settle down (and so far it’s been something of a revolving door policy in terms of recruitment and dismissal, admittedly in part through necessity), even a match like this against lowly Cambridge is very far indeed from being a formality.
Men of the match last week for me were the Hereford centre backs who, at this level, exude some of the assurance of the Ian Wright and Tony James partnership of old, or what Tamika Mkandawire used to manage on his own. For them to feature so prominently, against a side in Bishop’s Stortford that looks destined to finish much nearer the bottom of the division than the top, says much about the amount of work there is still to be done to turn this team into a properly competitive unit. It will surely come though, once the starting XI isn’t half-changed every week, with Christmas onwards set to be super-exciting.
It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Jordan Cranston rested for this one. It looked last Saturday like he’s almost certainly playing with whatever injury kept him out recently. Gone temporarily are the buccaneering runs and overall contribution of the first few games of the season. Credit to him for soldiering on if that’s the case, although it didn’t do Jason Cowley much good, so a rest could be the sensible call. Aaron Skinner would let nobody down covering at left back, where he played last season at Bamber Bridge, or as the lefty in a back three, with Adam Livingstone another option.
At the other end of the pitch new signing Ethan Freemantle should make his debut, as parent club Kidderminster have said they’re happy for him to feature in the Cup for the Bulls, which may allow Adam Rooney a well-deserved rest. If the new striker can at least hang around where strikers traditionally are supposed to hang around there will be someone to aim crosses at for a change.
Whilst the draw has been kind to the hosts, it’s been an absolute git to the visitors. Regionalisation at this stage of the tournament is of course the way to go, but as far as this tie is concerned it seems to be the same sort of regionalisation that plonked Bishop’s Stortford in northern England in the summer. A bit of a cross-country trek for the Fenlanders then, which won’t do much for their chances.
Up until Tuesday, City were struggling in the league, with only Rushden and Diamonds (remember them?) below them. They were also dumped out of the FA Trophy last weekend, losing 2-0 at home to Leighton Town. However, Tuesday evening saw them thrash Rugby Town 5-0 to shoot up to mid-table.
Goalkeeper Joe Welch will hopefully be busy, and is well thought of by manager Robbie Nightingale, but at 34 he’s not too much younger than Anstey Nomads’ creaky custodian. Midfielder Stefan Broccoli has a mildly amusing name and an interesting CV, having been on the books at Arsenal, Newcastle and a variety of Italian lower league clubs I’ve never heard of. And if you think I’m going to attempt some sort of vegetable-based pun here you’re wrong, mainly because I can’t think of one rather than because I’d consider it puerile, which I wouldn’t.
Despite the visitors’ lack of form and lower position in the pecking order, this is something of a free hit for them so they’ll be well up for exploiting any complacency from the hosts, and indeed any of the disjointedness that characterised a big chunk of that game last week.
Three wins in a row would be super of course and something to build on, but South Shields away next weekend will be a whole different ball game. Well, it won’t, it’ll still be football, but it’ll be a lot harder to win.
COYW