Youngsters Bounce Back

With two games a week in prospect almost all the way to Christmas and possibly all the way with the potential for cup replays, Caddis opted to play the youth team against Clee Hill United. The Shropshire club brought about 50 fans in a crowd or around 200 or so. All those present choosing local football ahead of England v Italy. 

Only keeper Sterry will have been seen by most Bulls fans previously. In defence were Ley, Lund, Nowell and Thompson. Mayo-Evans, Rose, Powell, Wally and Samuel were in midfield with Mee up front. On the bench were Rhodes, Hughes, Skimore, Bragg and Parry. The game started with a bang. Clee Hill’s first attack saw Lund caught out by Barnes. Lund wisely committed a professional foul to stop him bearing down on goal and was rightly booked by referee Lewis.

Icilicaslan stepped up and hit the ball around the wall, but it bounced and was well inside the post. Sterry seemed to go down slowly and get caught out by the ball bouncing in front of him and will be disappointed to have conceded a goal. Up the Hill, with the Clee fans jubilant.

Hereford came back into the game. Clee Hill were stronger physically and one on one challenges suited them better. The youngsters tried to move the ball quickly and looked sharper than some of the Shropshire lads. A fluid movement saw Rose with the ball just outside the area. He bought a ticket and his shot was deflected by Smith leaving Whiteway  off balance as the Bulls equalised.

A right wing corner found Nowell unmarked on the edge of the six yard box and he glanced home giving Whiteway no chance. Hughes came on for Ley who had a knock just before half time. Hereford just about deserved to be in front at the break.

Tackle of the night came when Slocker got through on the left and into the box. Captain Thompson timed his challenge perfectly cleaning the attacker out. Skimore came on for Mee. Striker Mee had one golden chance when he seemed to almost have too much time and did not catch his shot as he wanted. 

Milward played some good passes for Clee but attackers could not take advantage. Slocker then got through one on one with Sterry and lifted the ball up and over, Sterry making an outstanding one handed stretching stab of the ball away. 

Hereford saw out the game quite comfortably. Captain Thompson would be my man of the match. He made several good challenges and some excellent blocks covering for other players slips. His defensive partner Nowell grew into the game and in the last third they looked a very solid pairing. Of the offensive players Walby caught the eye. Not everything he tried came off but he kept committing and caused Clee Hill problems.

A good victory and some promising young talent.