Lyden Impresses and Is Kicked Out of the Game

The predicted heavy rain did not arrive and the evening was mild but damp with a very heavy dew which made for slightly slippy conditions. Hereford set up with Pond; Skinner, Howkins, Cameron, Livingstone; Lyden, Teixiera; Arthur, Babos, Ceesay; Rooney. Free-mantle had a knock and was on the bench with Cranston, Tolley, Stanley and Southern. 

As ever when Rooney is playing there was a little positional fluidity with the front four varying positions. Arthur looked pleased to be starting and was bright. Alfreton were less direct than usual possibly because they did not have the massive man up front they have favoured in recent seasons. They played a little more football, initially fouled less and only Lund’s long throws kept to their usual game plan. Waldock’s booking for a foul on Lyden kept their heritage alive for targeting teams top players early on.

Hereford played the better football with Lyden influential in the middle. Ceesay was marked tightly by Perritt and had less opportunities. When he did get a chance to cut inside his shot was well wide. The best chance of the half came when Waldock turned Livingstone inside out and laid the ball to Day who thankfully failed to hit the target.

At half time Hereford had been better but had not created enough scoring opportunities. Early in the second half the Bulls took the lead. Skinner just outside the box fed a simple ball to the sitting Lyden. Alfreton’s team went missing and he needed no second invitation to surge forward over the halfway line. As players finally came to challenge he fed Babos. The weather was damp and there was now a heavy dew on the ground. An Alfreton defender slipped leaving Alex free and he shot hard and low but Pond would have saved it. Willis did not.

Alfreton swapped Waldock on a yellow for Motley-Henry. Hereford seemed comfortable. Thewlis got into Hereford’s box on the left. Teixiera who had been booked jockeyed him and then went for the ball but also caught Thewlis. A poor decision by Aurio with the Bulls leading and Thewlis sent Pond the wrong way from the spot.

Perritt was booked for fouling Lyden but had a very good game and kept Yusifu quieter than usual. Lyden got past Thewlis who stabbed nastily at Jordan and was booked. Having seen Alfreton many times I would sadly say a targeted challenge on the best player on the pitch. Earlier a delicious drag back by Lyden had made a man in red look foolish. Stanley came on for Arthur who had faded.

Alfreton produced a goal that defines them as a club. Day punted it long, Day challenged but did not touch it the ball bouncing on into the right of the box. Debutant Dylan Motley-Henry chased it down. As they entered the box Cameron put his hand on the back of Motley-Henry, letting him know he was there but applying no pressure as the ball was going nowhere. Motley-Henry recognised this and fell to the ground as if he had been punched in the back not had a palm on the shoulder.

Both officials fell for the new boys demonstration that he would fit into the gamesmanship Alfreton are renowned for. Thewlis sent Pond the wrong away. Tolley came on for Teixiera to trying and increase attacking options. The first time Tolley got going he was cynically fouled by Newall at the cost of a yellow. Babos hit a free kick on target but Willis saved. 

Lyden had looked in pain after Thewlis’ thuggery and tried to run it off but could not do so and Freemantle came on. Ceesay was booked for a foul. As the Bulls pushed up Lund played a through ball to Day who was clearly offside but this was missed and he shot low and hard just inside the post. Hereford kept trying but did not have enough of a cutting edge.

In some way Alfreton are admirable. Despite their low crowds, 431 including about 80 Bulls fans they keep challenging. The club is friendly but bars are empty, one was full of only Hereford fans before the game. The club shop has excellent stock and the programme is tidy. Yet this all comes because of ruthless cynicism. Lyden the best player on the pitch and creator of the Bulls goal was literally kicked out of the game. Three yellow cards for Alfreton players fouling Jordan shows what part of the manager’s guidance was. The injury and Jordan’s reaction looked serious, pulling his shirt over his face. Hopefully it is not but what a blow from Alfreton to a rival team.

Hereford played better football but Alfreton always looked more likely. The officials spoiled the game conned for a penalty and then just out of their depth with an atrocious offside decision. What was pleasing was the way the Bulls defended the numerous long throws from the Reds, no chances were created and this defensive solidity could be overlooked when seeing the score line.

Alfreton gave man of the match to Thewlis, no doubt influenced by his two converted penalties. He was the most influential man for Alfreton. He kicked Lyden, who had been running the game, out of the match.