Nigel Preece watched Hereford at Rushall Olympic last night.
Here's his report:
Saturday's two points dropped at home to perennial bogey team, King's Lynn, was hard to take. Especially as I felt it was our most creative going forward for some time. But that's what makes football the best game, one team can play all the football, create all the chances, but if you don't score more goals than your opponents then ….. well, you know the rest.
Talking of getting undeserved points, when moaning about the above, I was reminded about our win against tonight's opponents, Rushall, back in August; that was three we really didn't deserve.
I made a bit of a day of this. Caught a lunchtime train up to Brum for a pootle around a few pubs. I do like the Colmore just up the hill from New Street, very potable Thornbridge Ales. A short train hop to Walsall, initial stop the Pretty Bricks, and good looking with more nice beer it certainly was. Next the Fountain, slightly disappointing, then a taxi to the Manor Arms near the ground, a pub with no bar counter, multi roomed, very old fashioned and most certainly worth a visit. Non liquid refreshment in these establishments is basic filled rolls, or cobs as they're known as in that part of the world, see the Black Country Ales owned Orange Tree in Hereford for a more local cultural nod to traditional West Midlands’ boozers.
It was in the Manor Arms I heard the disappointing news that Scunny had recalled Tom Pugh, not surprising given his recent performances, but I was perked up somewhat to hear we'd resigned Maz Kouhyar, perhaps not as dynamic as Pugh, but certainly someone who can add creativity from the middle of the park.
The only change from Saturday was Babos in for Pugh, with Kouhyar on the bench.
The wind had strengthened considerably by kick off, not quite straight down the pitch but hard work when playing into it. We had that wind first half but seemed uncertain how to take advantage.
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| Hereford Had Chances - This One From Tope Odabeyi Went Straight To The Rushall Keeper |
As so often in gusty conditions balls over the top sailed away from any forward players and we showed little to none of the cohesive football played in recent games. Rushall started brightly, passing the ball neatly on occasions, but faded and the game resorted to a succession of long balls and general scrappiness. The closest either side came to a goal was a sharp shot from Lassana Mendes that clipped the crossbar.
At half time I took a wander from my spot under cover near halfway to the loos and to use the refreshment facilities, pretty reasonable standard for a small ground and a friendly and welcoming feel to the whole club. I did feel for those in the press box though, if you've not seen the photos of it take a look, it must have been very exposed up there?
The Pics, as in the first half, started stronger after the break, using the wind much better than we were able to do and for a while it seemed a matter of time before their pressure told. Several shots went wide and Pond made two sharp saves. Babos, who'd been booked for a late challenge, was replaced by the returning Maz Kouhyar and Downing limped off, Cameron on. Gradually we managed to get some ball and get up the pitch a little more often, Kouhyar’s influence noticeable immediately. And it was from a corner from the latter that we grabbed the game's only goal, Odabeyi, inexplicably unmarked, free to nod home at the back post.
I expected an onslaught for the remainder of the game but it didn't really materialise. That was mainly down to a solid performance at the back, starting with Curtis Pond who had his most accomplished game for a while; a strong, gusty wind is a keeper's worst nightmare but his handling and positioning was nigh on perfect on a difficult night, after his MotM in August, Rushall must be sick of the sight of him. We had to cope with a succession of crosses and corners, along with one of the more impressive long throws I've seen, but generally stood up well. In front of the defence, Teixeira’s work rate was second to none, though I do at times get a little irritated by his behaviour learnt from the Ian Long school of shithousery. By the end of the game I felt a second for us was more likely than an equaliser; Willo, on for Rooney, was cross with himself after one effort and Maz delayed a pass that should have resulted in a two on one.
A hard fought win, definitely a case of never mind the quality given the inclement conditions and another plastic pitch. I'm sure Rushall will feel hard done by with zero points out of six from us this season, but as we found out on Saturday it's scoring more goals than your opponents that counts.