Harwood Bull watched Hereford gain three points from Farsley at Buxton on Saturday.
On paper this was a match that Hereford should have won easily, and that’s how it turned out. However as we know, matches aren’t played on paper, they are played on grass, or in this case, plastic, and you can never be sure how it’s going to go. The Bulls dominated this one from beginning to end and ran out easy winners but you have to admire Farsley. Despite being in a horrible situation they didn’t lose heart, defended stubbornly and made Hereford work for the victory.
The Bulls lined up with new signing Coates on the right of the back four with captain Hudson on the left, Preston and Howkins in between. Midfield was D’Ath, Tate Campbell and Babos in the 6, 8 and 10 roles respectively. White and Sterling James on the right and left of the front line with the always hard working Remaye Campbell as the focal point of the attack.
The Bulls were on the front foot immediately. After just 3 minutes Sterling-James came close with a free kick and there were chances for Tate Campbell from D’Ath’s cross, Hudson with a low driven angled shot, and efforts from D’Ath and Preston. The Bulls kept up the pressure and it was inevitable that they would score, although when the goal came it was a bit fortunate – White’s shot taking a huge deflection and bobbling into the corner of the net with Will Brook, the Farsley keeper, moving the wrong way.
Half time: Farsley Celtic 0 Hereford FC 1The second half started well for Hereford. With 48 minutes on the clock, Sterling-James took a powerful free kick just outside the penalty area which curled and dipped against the crossbar, rebounding into the net off the back of Brook. I guess Brook must have realised then it wasn’t going to be his day.
Caddis made full use of his substitutes, presumably for reasons of rest and rotation, and with Ceesay on for Babos he made a good run into the box, with the ball breaking to Sterling-James who hit a strong dipping shot which was heading for the top corner until Brook tipped it over with a spectacular save.
Farsley stuck to their task and started to create one or two moments for themselves, the best of which saw Polwarth head Youmbi’s cross against the post. Had that one gone in the Bulls might have started to get a bit nervous.However, a few minutes later the result was made safe when Tate Campbell made a break down the left flank and crossed low for Williams, who was on for Remaye Campbell, to tap home at the far post.
Finally on 85 minutes Ceesay combined with Sterling-James to create himself a shooting chance, the ball appearing to take a slight deflection on its way into the net.
Full time: Farsley Celtic 0 Hereford FC 4The Teams
Hereford: Richardson, Coates, Howkins, Preston (Skinner 63), Hudson, T Campbell, D'Ath (Mitchell 79), Babos (Ceesay 63), Sterling-James, White (Cowley 74), R Campbell (Williams 63)
Farsley Celtic: Brook, Abankwah, Janneh, Polwarth, Bumhira, Hyde, Monteiro, Mampala, Kondolo, Iwobi, Silva
Subs: Ameho, Youmbi, Emondson, Sheridan, Priestley-Standing
The Bulls needed 3 points badly and got the job done. New signing Coates slotted in well and looked to have something to offer going forward as well. Sterling-James had a strong game and D’Ath was neat and tidy in the holding midfield role. With Farsley not posing much of a threat Tate Campbell was able to get forward and created some chances and got the assist for the third goal.
Caddis received a couple of lengthy lectures from the ref about his behaviour but nothing seems to hold him back, he’s constantly in the ear of the fourth official and frequently has feisty exchanges with the other bench. It’s obviously just his make up and I doubt he’ll ever change, but we want him on the touchline at key moments not banished to the stands, so it would be nice if he could contain himself a bit more.
Quite a bit has been said about Ceesay and him coping with playing through Ramadan. A few years ago a group of Muslim colleagues where I worked invited us non-Muslims to join them in a day’s fast and then for the evening Iftar meal. It was an interesting experience. Not eating wasn’t that hard but not drinking anything was. That year Ramadan was at the height of summer and by the end of a long day I felt really dehydrated and had a thumping headache. Obviously as a practising Muslim he has a lot more experience of dealing with it and adjusting, but being a competitive sportsman under those conditions must be really tough.
The Bulls are still hanging on in the play off positions. I don’t like the term “six pointer” much, but if ever a game deserved that term, next week’s clash with Chester certainly does.
Come on you whites!
