Nigel Preece reports from Aggborough where Kidderminster defeated Hereford 5-1.
Sometimes it's better to travel in hope than to arrive. This was perhaps such a day.
Not that travel itself was straightforward. I'd organised a lift from Bristol from my fellow ex Talking Bull editor. A bridge issue in Cardiff meant an earlier start from home than needed with no local trains running but the mainline train was fine and the run up the M5 wasn't too bad.
Pre match warm up was in the King and Castle, by the Severn Valley Railway. No away fans supposedly, but no issues wandering in and a number of Bulls inside. Good beer too. A little more boisterous across the road, the Railway Bell looked like it should be renamed the Railway Bull. That noise and bullishness continued at the ground, over 1300 away fans doing their best to try and encourage an unchanged side.
Our bullishness didn't last long, whatever plans we had in place for the game were shattered after just two minutes, the impressive David Worrall turning Ceesay, who lost his footing and slipped, giving Worrall the space to deliver a classy finish across Richardson.
To be fair to the massed ranks of Bulls fans they quickly ramped up the noise again, despite successive waves of Harriers attacks. We didn't really need things to go against us and the second home goal looked suspiciously offside in the build up, though to be fair to the evergreen Morgan-Smith his finish was perfect.
Our support again tried to rally the side and finally we started to create, Dibble fingertipping a fierce Remaye Campbell drive over the bar. Hope returned shortly after, when one of those who've played for both sides, Sterling-James, hit a powerful swerving free kick that bamboozled Dibble and we were back in business.
I'd have settled for 1-2 at half time but it could and, perhaps, should have been so much better, Howkins heading wide from a few yards with the goal seemingly gaping.
The discussion in the break was hold on for a while and let the home side feel the pressure, well that was my not very expert tactical scenario. We did start on the front foot, backed by terrific volume from the terrace, but paid for our commitment by conceding almost as quickly as in the first 45. Has to be stated, it was an excellent and perfectly executed break at speed, think HUFC 2004, old boy Maz Kouhyar steering home Hemmings' precise cut back from 18 yards. Proper wind out of sails moment.
Nevertheless, neither the fans or team conceded as we tried to get back into the game again. Skinner came on for Coates and two home players were booked but we couldn't create anything of note.
Any lingering hope was quashed with 30 mins left when a searching cross from the Kiddie right was headed home by Kouhyar, more than a hint of climbing on the defender perhaps, but I'd have given it if I was the ref.
Robbo and Babos came on for Ceesay and D’Ath before a dramatic change from spring sunshine to torrential rain. And, boy, did it rain! Rather comical (from my spot comfortably under cover) to see supporters in the stand on our right scrabbling to escape a proper drenching. Inevitably there were tongue in cheek calls for a postponement from our lot!
If the game was done, we were certainly not going down without a fight as we tried to get back into the game. One effort cleared off the line and a few half chances, the home team had to dig in and even resort to Tamworth style dark arts, more cards, including Kouhyar and some, frankly, unacceptable shithousery from Dibble in the home goal. Sadly his behaviour just succeeded in riling our support, typically a couple of irate fans couldn't contain themselves and objects were thrown.
One object, an empty plastic bottle hit Dibble, be surprised if he barely felt it but he collapsed to the ground in feigned agony. We'll no doubt be in trouble for that but Dibble ought to have the book thrown at him too. A shame if our generally outstanding support is tarnished by a couple of stupid responses to unnecessary provocation.
Williams and Cowley made their customary last 20 minute appearances on the by now very wet pitch, but for all our efforts the final goal went to the home side in the 98th minute, another neat finish from Morgan-Smith properly rubbing our noses in it.
Overall, while you just can't escape that score line, Kiddie looked like a side on a terrific run set to win the league. The confidence born of such a long winning run swept through their side, players ran off the likes of Kouhyar who therefore always had options to create space for others. We struggled to cope (we're not the only side battered by Harriers recently) with their movement and quickness of thought. And, frankly, once again, we looked more a collection of individuals especially when we had the ball. I'm not the only one to be critical of our lack of regular cohesive team creativity this campaign. We had it at times last season, if we can add that extra quality to the many improvements this term we can travel with real expectation next time.
Still, this season is not done. We're in play off pole position, sort of, I'm sure you've all worked out the chances. Once again I will travel in hope.
Hereford: Richardson, Coates, Hudson, Howkins, Preston, T Campbell, D'Ath, Ceesay, White, Sterling-James, R Campbell.
Subs: Skinner, Robinson, Babos, Cowley, Williams.
Attendance: 5341 with 1308 in the away end