Bouncebackability. That’s what good teams have and Hereford demonstrated in spades after the disappointment at Boston. Caddis changed things a little. Pond stayed in goal. Downing replaced Howkins alongside captain Cameron with Skinner and Livingstone as full backs. Teixiera sat with Babos, but Alex roamed a little so that at times it was more 4-1-4-1 than 4-2-3-1. Surprisingly Arthur started on the right, Rooney was in the middle and Ceesay is one of the first names on the team sheet on the left. Cowley was up front.
Howkins and Mendes dropped to the bench alongside Pugh, Tolley and Freemantle. Southern having picked up a knock on Saturday did not make the squad. The team were roared on by an impressive crowd of 2,059 with 35 from Oxfordshire. It was a cool, dry evening.
Hereford made a fast start and looked very lively with Arthur impressing. At times all three of Arthur, Rooney and Ceesay became the second striker alongside Cowley. Hereford took the lead with a beautiful goal. The ball worked quickly from front to back with quick passes before Ceesay was released down the left. His cross finished like a quality striker does by Jason Cowley. Certainly the team goal of the season so far.
Banbury tried to come back into the game and got forward a few times but Hereford were comfortably better. Arthur causing them problems down the right in his best performance for the Bulls. Hereford had a good free kick which Livingstone took. He opted to try and fire under the jumping wall but his effort was blocked.
Cowley turned provider for Hereford’s second, getting down the left and pulling back a straight forward chance for Rooney which Adam converted.
Cowley was giving one of the best exhibitions of forward play at Edgar Street for a long time. He was always on the half turn, working across the line, mostly central but pulling wide to make gaps for others. His display was all the more impressive as he got a heavy knock and ran it off rubbing his thigh regularly. Having scored one and made one, he almost created a third.
A long kick from Pond was won by Rooney who laid it to Cowley. Jason put it back for Rooney to run on to on the edge of the box and his fine effort brought a fine save from Harding. However, Arthur was in acres of space to the right and a pass would have surely brought a goal. A nice problem for fans to discuss at half time, how Hereford had failed to score more goals.
Hereford came back out slightly off the pace not challenging and pressing with their first half vigour, standing off a little. A neat one two on the right cut out Livingstone and Adam tried to tackle from behind in the box. He made contact and a penalty was awarded. Charles sent Pond the wrong away.
It was almost as if this was the worst thing Banbury could have done. Hereford seemed to flick a switch and were back at it. Out of possession this is the best team in the history of Hereford FC. It’s not just the pressing and harrying, it’s the hunting in packs, setting little traps sometimes all on, sometimes off for a few moments before pressure is applied again. The Bulls dominated the rest of the game. Banbury had to try and chase things. This gave Babos more space and he was at the heart of everything winning the sponsors DRM Bus man of the match award. It must have been a satisfying evening for him against many of his former team mates. Alex crossed from the left and it hit a defender’s arm which was well away from his body, but referee Mackey erred in not awarding a penalty.
Arthur then had a fine shot saved and continued his excellent display with a cross which flashed across the box. Banbury finally found a way to stop Cowley. Maja-Awesu pulled him back at the cost of a yellow card. Cowley was substituted to visit the birth of his child and Freemantle came on. Hereford’s vim and vigour was undiminished. All of Hereford’s attackers continued to get strikes on goal. Banbury keeper Harding despite conceding four made several good saves, Hereford could have scored more.
Finally the third goal came. Despite being battered Banbury kept trying to play football. After a sequence of half a dozen passes around the penalty area, their captain D’Ath played a square ball from the right flank into the centre just in front of the box. Babos challenged and then more harrying saw a loss of control and the ball running to Arthur. He drove into the box. As Hereford were pressing high there were other players available but he opted for a fierce drive at the near post. The power forced Harding to palm the ball up into the air and Freemantle was perfectly placed to nod into an open goal. The referee booked Banbury manager Jones for something he said.
Hereford continued to dominate and Arthur went off to a standing ovation with Mendes coming on. Pugh then came on for Rooney who had been influential throughout the game. Banbury’s defence was over the place. A centre back passed to Harding but missed him and dashed back to clear as the ball was about to trickle into the net. Then another mix up saw an awful clearance charged down by Mendes who tapped into an empty goal, and the referee blew up.
Last Tuesday was good, this was even better. The ferocious pressing and organisation out of possession is exhausting. However, it is getting results and the entertainment is bringing the crowds in. People want to watch a player left on the half way line at opposition corners. They enjoy the high pressing and committing players deep in the opponents half. The front four of Cowley, Rooney, Ceesay and Arthur looked flexible and fluid, opening up Banbury in different ways. Little changed once Freemantle and Mendes came on. If a team has to chase a game it gives space and time which Babos will exploit. At the back the returning Downing added extra calmness and probing passes.
Bring on Scarborough under the Tuesday night lights at Edgar Street.