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Nigel Preece watched last night's game at Sixways.
A week ago I was finishing a match report on our bad night at Telford when the news filtered through that the Paul Caddis era at HFC had ended.
Since then we've had Adam Rooney announced as caretaker, a game transferred to Sixways, a thumping loss at Southport, Aaron Downes, pictured above, announced as our new manager, the return of Harry Pell and two more games moved away from our spiritual home.
Quite some week for those running the club; I'm sure Stig (Chris Ammonds Hereford Chairman) with his previous football experience knew there would be challenges at times but couldn't have envisaged all of them rolled into such a short timeframe.
One of those challenges would have been organising a home game at an alternative venue at relative short notice. Kudos, therefore, for what appeared to me to be a very smooth and well organised operation.
My first impression was a nervy one as I left the M5 in the wrong lane and had to ease myself into the queue for the correct exit at the roundabout, judging from a few beeps behind me I wasn't the only one.
That and the queue to get into the car park (which was heartening too seeing so many making the effort) was the only logistical difficulty of the evening; well done to those involved in the arrangements.
First impressions of Sixways as a ground was it's very functional; at least in the large stand the bulk of us were located in. Burger van, (expensive) bars, a decent stand with good views of the pitch. On the opposite side was a smaller stand, occupied by a mix of “home” fans and a decent, vocal contingent of Darlo supporters. They seemed to have access to the clubhouse which may have made for a warmer half time.
To our left, behind the goal we defended first half, was another decent stand with large executive type boxes to, no doubt, fleece / provide a high quality match day experience for the barbour clad types who more often congregate at Sixways.
To our right, giving us flattened Blackfriars End vibes, was just a collection of pub garden tables and parasols. The Picnic or BBQ End perhaps?
Artificial pitch, not to my liking but, to be fair, it played fine, I've seen many far worse.
Right, enough of that, we were there to watch a football match. Two unfamiliar names on the teamsheet, two more youngsters on loan, these lads from Cheltenham, both made good first impressions. With only 5 loanees allowed in your match day squad it meant no sign of Pavey, Yaya or Cisse (the latter appeared briefly at Telford a week ago).
We lined up in a 352 formation, Richardson, Skinner and Hudson as wing backs, Quansah, Preston and, one of the newbies, Freddy Willcox. The other newcomer, Harry Tustin shared midfield duties with Mafuta and the more forward looking Cormac Daly. Willo and Cambridge Utd loanee George Munday up front.
First half was scrappy, we made mistakes, gave the ball away in bad areas but at least we posed a threat going forward.
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| Aaron Skinner Shoots From Distance Early In The Game |
There were several unseemly scrambles in our area, a lot of Darlo shots from 20 yards plus as we defended deep, perhaps a bit too deep. Thankfully most were wayward and Richardson's positioning and handling were sound when anything was on target. The extra man at the back did often allow the spare to tidy up what might have been more dangerous normally, just as well on the several occasions possession was squandered well inside our own half.
Saying that, we had our own moments. Daly ran at and beat defenders and I was impressed with Munday's hold up play and distribution; the latter could really have done with a Cowley type striker alongside him. Tigerish midfielder, Tustin, was played in by Willcox but the visiting keeper blocked at the edge of the area, perhaps the closest we came in the first half.
George Munday
A scare just before the break, a Darlo attack floundered due to our extra defender but Preston's tidy up pass back towards our goal trickled past Richardson as he rushed out. A sharp turn and dive from our keeper saved the day as the ball was scooped round the post only a foot from the goal. The visitors appealed vehemently for an indirect free kick for the backpass, thankfully it wasn't awarded and the corner came to nothing.
I didn't go and use or even inspect the facilities at half time, unlike at the rugby or other tier 6 grounds you couldn't bring your expensive pint back to your seat. It was more hot cup of tea weather in my book anyway than chilled beer.
No changes after the break, Mafuta had taken a heavy knock late in the first half but was ok to continue. On the subject of experienced midfielders, it was good to see Lawson D'Ath running on the pitch at half time, be good to see him back soon.
Second half we managed to get further up the pitch on a more regular basis, there were far less available free Darlo shots from distance, an early positive tactical appreciation hopefully from our new boss.
Andy Williams Drove Into The Area Early In The Second Half But His Shot Was Easily Saved
Half chances were coming, Hudson and Munday both had good efforts half blocked, Daly cut in from the right and curled one marginally past the far post and a Willo header from a corner was hacked away from close to the line.
Twice Munday's perseverance got him space on the right. The first time his brisk cross eluded the, perhaps, slightly slow forward runners, the second time Tustin flung himself at the ball forcing a blocked save from the keeper. Close!
New Loan Signing Harry Tustin
It was far from one way traffic, the visitors had several of their own opportunities, our defending was still a bit panicky and last ditch on occasions. Maskell, the Darlo number 9, had a good effort well saved and later on in the half a near post corner was glanced across goal and deflected away off the far post. Small margins and a bit of new manager bounce luck perhaps?
Mafuta had been replaced by Hamilton who put in an effective 25 minutes with several driving runs through midfield creating space for others. Later on Martin came on for Tustin followed by Rooney and Donowa for Willo and Munday. We kept the same shape but the clear opportunities never quite fell, Rooney appealed for a pen but it looked to me as if he initiated the contact, correct decision.
Rooney did have a lengthy discussion with the ref, did it then sway him in awarding us a spot kick a few minutes later when a defender clumsily challenged Skinner's Chris Price like surge into the box?
Whatever, it was awarded and Skinner thumped the ball high to the keeper's right, a proper penalty, no tiptoed or shuffled run up and trickled shot, just drive the ball hard. Get in!!
Four minutes of injury time were shown before the restart and, though it didn't feel like it at the time, were survived without any drama.
Joy, happy smiles and much relief all round at a long awaited three points. While we just needed the win, it was an improved performance too, the youngsters looking promising. However, on another day, one or two of Darlington's chances could have gone in. A different story then. It reminded me a little of our loss, also on plastic, at Rushall a year ago, a battling home side doing just enough to grab an overdue win against more settled and fancied opponents. That didn't save Rushall and we should reflect on that. Hopefully with games and training when we can we will see further improvement. For now, it gives us what I pined for last week, some hope.
See you at Redditch.
Nigel Preece