Still In It
Mitch, with help from Justin, watched Hereford force a replay at Hemel Hempstead.
After the extended endeavours of Tuesday evening in the Black Country, the question today would likely be, ‘Is there enough in the tank to see us through to the next round?’ The Tudors of Hemel Hemstead Town stood in the way, along with yet another plastic pitch, this one surrounded by a series of low-rise structures that nowadays comfortably passes as a football stadium. That the London Bulls (plus tin-foil FA Cup) opted for nearby (does anything ever happen in Hemel?) St. Albans for pre-match refreshments tells its own story – that our car load were directed to a curtained off ‘Visitors only’ section of the Hemel social club tells another – disappointed but not surprised. The presence of a number of stewards obviously brought by Hereford FC was a first, for me at least, and sadly necessary, but wouldn’t the wages of these lads be better spent on an on-field body?
Of those who did make the artificial field, it was good to see Sam Osborne getting a start after a number of productive cameos, as part of a 3-5-2 formation, with Hudson and Sterling-James as wing-backs.
A feature of too many Bull’s performances this season has been a slow start, and annoyingly, here was another. Theo Richardson saved excellently three times before we had mustered even half a chance, and while things slowly improved, Hemel were repeatedly finding alarming amounts of space in our defensive third. They were quicker, more mobile, and had a method, and while on a good run of results, seemed to have an extra man, which would have explained a lot. They didn’t, I counted, but most of what scraps we were able to offer as an attacking force came via Osborne – there is a good footballer in there somewhere – but the ball was given away repeatedly – I’m sure that the injured but watching Lawson D’ath would have at least partly, addressed this.
This Free Kick By Sterling-James Came To Nothing
To get to the break level would have been a bonus we didn’t deserve, and as it happens, didn’t get. The Tudors six foot plus centre-back (among three six foot plus centre-backs of our own) got his head onto a corner, and was first to react as it dropped, slamming it past a blameless Richardson. Will check on the highlights, but this, unusually, appeared to be a goal and an assist to the same fella. It could, and should however, have been dealt with. Nil-one, and plenty to do.
No changes at half-time saw the Bulls attacking our 300 or so fans, or at least the terracing housing them, and thankfully, with a lot more gusto than the first 45. Home custodian Johnson, more of whom shortly, remained pretty much untested, until on the hour, some quick feet from Osborne led to confusion, a few missed hacks, and a free kick 20 yards out. You would expect that Hemel would have done their homework on the wand that is the right foot of Sterling-James, but to little surprise/much joy of the travelling support, Omari did what Omari does for a splendid equaliser.
Momentum remained, even grew with the Bulls now seemingly a man up, and shortly after, took the lead, helpfully aided by the aforementioned Johnson. Channelling his inner Andy de Bont, a scuffed clearance found Sterling-James, who eased past his marker and whipped in the sort of cross that goal-poachers love. Cue Remaye Campbell, showing equal measures of predatory instinct and courage, touched it home before colliding, pretty heavily, with the home keeper.
The bedlam behind him went unnoticed by Mr. Johnson, face down and motionless. A full six minutes later, a visibly shaken goalkeeper was back on his feet, while a visibly very unshaken physio was advised to look after his charges a little better – If a player takes six minutes to regain his feet after a head injury, he really shouldn’t be allowed to continue, and this on the day when a minutes silence was held in memory of Billy Vigar, the Chichester player who lost his life earlier in the week following a head injury.
So, could the Bulls, now dominating the game, see it out? Sadly not. Willo, having one of his less than influential matches was replaced by Edwards, Richards also going off for Nto, but Hemel found a way. A home striker found himself a little space 18 yards out, a neat turn found a little more, and he fired across Theo for an equaliser, the last action of any significance.
For their first half dominance alone it would be harsh to say it wasn’t a deserved draw, but the ‘Urban barnacle’ will visit the ‘Boring Market Town’ (look up Mel Smith, Football results, you won’t regret it) on Tuesday, for another go, and this time on a proper football pitch.
Credit due to Mr Caddis and his team for their resilience and attitude, and indeed their fitness, but the seeming lack of a game plan and the repeated slow starts are of concern. Individual credits to Theo and Omari, MoM’s of first and second half respectively, to Sam Osborne, who with more game time could be influential as an attacking midfielder, and to Keenan Quansah, probably his best game in a Hereford shirt, who adds mobility and pace to the centre of defence.
Plenty of credit also to the travelling support, who perhaps outnumbered and certainly out sung the home contingent. Plenty of noise but almost nothing to offend – it can be done, let’s keep it like today.
Finally, back to the question, does anything ever happen in Hemel? Maybe not, but its most famous son is almost certainly going to create sporting history later on this evening, when Luke Donald lifts the Ryder Cup. Go Europe.