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| Hereford's First Goal - A Penalty Scored By Campbell |
Nigel Preece watched Hereford at Leamington yesterday.
Tuesday night wasn't a good one. Our injury hit side seemingly running out of energy ending up well beaten by a better organised albeit limited opposition.
That, plus Storm Amy and Leamington's limitations as an away venue, made me wonder whether I should bother but you can't put off us hardy lot that easily.
It was an early start though, checking trains were running (no fallen trees etc) before 7. Left home just after 7.30 and, yes, I crossed the road at the right place (feel free to roll your eyes at my futile superstitions). Trains were, mostly, behaving though I did end up changing at Reading (supposedly not valid on my ticket but late trains behind mine would have messed up my planned and paid for route). I bumped into Talking Bull ed Tom Gough at Reading station, our train to Leamington was uncomfortably rammed, no chance of any ticket checks so i was fine.
Lunch and meeting more London Bulls in the local Spoons, the Benjamin Satchwell (the man who discovered one of the spas 200 odd years ago that started the development of the town …. see, you don't just get football on here, but a little bit of education as well as a travelogue). A couple of rather tasty beers from North Cotswold brewery in the Royal Pug before I legged it back to the station to catch the free bus to the ground. For all my grumbling about Leamington FC as a venue, the free bus is a great service, this double decker was full.
Another plus is the clubhouse; of course, in a segregated game we're denied access, however I wasn't the only Bull to quietly pay at the home end and wander into the clubhouse for a cheeky beer.
I wandered through to the away terrace in time for the teams to appear and the emotional minute's applause for Jamo. What happened next brought a tear to my eye, so I assume those who knew Jamo well must have been in floods; two Leamington players ran over to the away end and presented a replica Brakes shirt with number 22 on the back to Jamo's mates. You didn't have to do that Leamington, a classy gesture, thank you.
On to the game, some injury returnees allowed a more traditional formation. Richardson, Skinner (at right back), Hudson, Preston and Howkins. D'Ath and Richards holding the midfield, with Osborne, Sterling-James and Edwards behind Campbell.
D'Ath had a mixed start, immediately winning the ball and passing it, we've missed him. He was also booked for a pretty late tackle from behind, his victim never recovered and was replaced 10 minutes in. It was soon noticeable the two holding midfielders were creating the space needed for our 3 more creative players in front, Richards can pass well with both feet and looked more composed and in control than in previous outings. D'Ath also got forward well at times, 3 shots (that I remember) in the first half, only one troubled the keeper.
Campbell, with a header that went wide, and Edwards, with a sharp shot straight at the imposing home keeper, from well crafted play showed our intention but the Brakes showed more intention to play football too than in previous years. Richardson made a fine save from a close range flicked header.
Osborne was carded for a bad foul as the home side's runners regularly found space in inside channels.
The opening goal came from such a move, the resulting shot taking a slight deflection to give Leamington the lead.
Another frustrating day beckoning? To be fair we kept trying to get our creative three into space and an Edwards slalom into the box drew a clear foul and a pen was rightly awarded.
From the far end there looked to be some discussion on who should take it, but Campbell grabbed the ball and after a delay or two (keeper was booked and then a ball was thrown on to the pitch from behind the goal) he finished confidently into the keeper's bottom left corner.
Level at half time was what we deserved. Consensus on the terrace was keep trying to play football and enough opportunities would be created to earn the points.
An early half chance for the Brakes was blocked before an Osborne cross shot was diverted goalwards by Campbell forcing a fine reaction save by Ravenhill. Shortly afterwards an early speculative shot by the increasingly involved Osborne flashed narrowly wide with Ravenhill beaten.
There were chances for Hudson, snapshot just over and Edwards, again straight at the keeper, but it was by no means one way traffic, Matt Preston making a fine goal line clearance.
Shortly after that critical moment came our winning goal. Skinner was played in at the far post and his drive was deflected in by a hapless defender with Campbell waiting to pounce behind him.
While I'd say it was a fair reflection of the second half, as often it's small margins, off the line one end, deflected goal at the other.
Leamington's late charge for an equaliser never really gathered a head of steam; one fine save from Richardson and a couple of threatening corners. Really, we should have killed the game off with a third. Edwards had one dazzling run that should have ended with a goal, either for him or the unmarked Osborne; as a threat young Edwards was exciting to watch, plenty of raw edges to improve on and I hope to see his skill and fast feet gradually produce more end product as the season progresses.
It was Edwards last contribution, he was replaced by Bitemo, then Osborne by Williams. The latter appeared to have made it 3-1 after he tapped in when Sterling-James’ 95th minute free kick rebounded off the bar, but the flag went up, must have been a tight decision. It didn't matter as the final whistle blew for a well earned three points.
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| Campbell Brought Down, Sterling-James Took The Free Kick Which Came Back Off The Bar |
A better performance, more control, more passing and movement, far less aimless punting. For me the stability provided by D'Ath and Richards made the difference and allowed the 3 forward thinking midfielders to be more creative. I suppose, being critical, it was only 2-1 with a pen and a deflection, we'll play far better opponents than Leamington (who seemed to lack the shithouse devilry of previous years) and against the likes of South Shields and Fylde will need to turn more good play and opportunities into real chances.
I dashed for the free bus back into Leamington, they really don't give you long to get on it; I'd have preferred to have stayed a few more minutes to chew the post match fat, but needs must.
A couple of beers (and pizza) in the Boiler Room (very hipster) with the fine company of happy London Bulls (hope the Sunday refereeing went well KD?) and it was time for transport home. Change at Oxford and Didcot, thankfully both worked. A bit of a delay when almost home but made it through the front door just after 10.
Odd to have two weeks off now, hopefully see a few of you at South Shields.
Finally, well done to Naomi and Chelsey for completing the Cardiff Half this morning.
Ed- And also to one of our former match reporters Kevin who was raising money for the Little Princess Trust.
Att: 928