Harwood Bull watched Hereford win at Warrington this afternoon.
It’s famously said that it ain’t over until the fat lady sings. Well, the old diva hasn’t burst into song yet but she’s certainly clearing her throat and doing vocal exercises. It’s already been explained on BN that there remains a possibility that the Bulls could squeeze into the final playoff position on the final day but that would require a combined set of results with odds even longer than my Grand National selections. Should Boston beat Banbury on Tuesday, which seems highly likely, then it will be all over.
In some ways todays win over Warrington Town highlighted one of the Bulls’ major problems this season – the inability to finish teams off despite dominating for large parts of the game. Having taken an early lead in the 10th minute we had to wait until almost half time for the second goal despite most of the game being played in the home team’s half of the field. Warrington got back into the game with a well taken goal in the second half and despite continuing pressure there were no more goals, and the final whistle brought a sigh of relief.
There were two changes for Hereford from the side that lost at Scunthorpe. Cameron and Skinner were both suspended so Downing and Obadeyi were in the starting line-up in defence and midfield respectively. Okeke, Howkins and Hudson completed the back four, D’Ath & Teixeira held the middle of the field, Ceesay was wide on the left with Babos in behind Williams who led the line.
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| Chances For Hereford From The Start. |
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| Defender Makes A Timely Clearance |
The Bulls were on the front foot immediately. Williams had an effort on goal blocked on the line in the third minute and headed over from an Okeke cross in the eighth. On ten minutes Hudson cut in from the left flank and saw his cross/shot take a deflection into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Hereford continued to create chances, most of which fell to Williams who looked fit and sharp. He pounced on a goalkeeping error by Atherton but the keeper managed to scramble the loose ball away from him, and then Atherton made a good save from Willo when he was through on goal.
The Bulls didn’t have it entirely their own way and on 42 minutes Howkins had to block an effort from Grivosti on the line. Immediately after Ceesay burst down the left, outpacing the home defence, as he did all game, before pulling the ball back to give Williams a tap in for 2-0.
It had been a good performance by the Whites in the first half, Ceesay was beating his full back easily every time, Babos was always involved linking up the play, and Teixeira was everywhere. Okeke is classy player and a great athlete – unfortunately I think our chances of signing him permanently must be slim. The final ball into the box lacked precision though and in truth the Bulls should have been further ahead. Getting the second goal just before half time seemed important, which is exactly how it played out in the second half.
Half time: Warrington Town 0 Hereford FC 2
The second half continued in much the same way, Ceesay continuing to torment the full back creating more chances for Williams and having a good effort of his own saved. Another good attack resulted in a shooting chance for Teixeira – unfortunately he showed no sign of repeating his outstanding effort against Chester (that one must surely be goal of the season).
Not Enough Power On This Effort From Williams
Josh Amis was the home side’s number nine, and although he’s not the quickest of players he’s a seasoned old pro and showed a fine piece of centre forward play to reduce the deficit on 56 minutes. Sean Williams played the ball through to Amis who cut inside his marker before curling his shot inside Pond’s far post.
The rest of the game consisted of sustained pressure from Hereford without being able to get the third goal that would have put the game to bed. There was always a nagging feeling that the home team were capable of producing another chance similar to the first goal.
Ceesay Finds Williams Whose Shot Is Saved
Warrington were down to ten men on 69 minutes when Grivosti went flying in on Hudson and received a straight red. Shortly after Caddis brought Phillips and Cowley on for Babos and Obadeyi to freshen things up a bit. Cowley was immediately in the action, harassing the home defence as he always does, but his finishing lacked accuracy.
Atherton’s goalkeeping was become increasingly eccentric, racing way out of his goal into the corner and failing to gather the ball, and then allowing a back pass to evade him which rolled just wide.
Williams Is Brought Down But Ceesay's Free Kick Is Disappointing
With 5 minutes of additional time the home side were pressing for an equaliser but the Bulls’ defence was equal to it. D’Ath was a calm presence throughout the game, unspectacular but usually in the right place at the right time, reading the game well, plugging holes and tidying everything up.
Pond was busy with time wasting tactics, with exaggerated collapses onto the ball, and seemed to be enjoying himself. Hereford held out for a deserved win but it could have been put beyond the home side long before.
Full time: Warrington Town 1 Hereford FC 2
Hereford: Pond, Hudson, Teixeira ( Mendes 87), Downing, Ceesay, Babos (Phillips 74), Williams, D'Ath, Okeke, Obadeyi (Cowley 74), Howkins
Subs: Rooney
Warrington Town: Atherton, Hannigan, Gumbs, Williams, Amis, McDonald, Eze, Buckley-Ricketts, Wisdom, Grivosti, Clarke
Subs: O'Keefe, Pasiek, Gill, Brooks
I won’t be at Edgar Street next week so that was a nice finish to the season. We may not quite make the playoffs but it has been 100% more enjoyable than last season. We have a manager who is honest, committed and positive, and a team that plays the same way. There’s a bond between supporters and the team which hasn’t been present in recent years and was epitomised by the suspended Skinner and Cameron joining the travelling supporters in the second half, and the ovation that the team received at the end. We have something solid to build on for next season.
Nothing to say about the pies I’m afraid – I had a steak sandwich in a nice pub in Thelwall before, and a pie would have been just too much. There was a good pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord on offer as well but I was driving so it was orange juice for me.
Finally I’d just like to say a big thanks to Organic, Jack, Son of Eric, Terry, Nigel and Mark Jones (another season of great previews) for all their hard work in keeping Bulls News such a good and informative website. Also thanks to Organic for asking/allowing me to write these occasional bits of waffle – I enjoy writing them and I hope at least one or two enjoy reading them as well.
Looking forward to next season already.
COYW