After another disappointing away defeat up at Darlington, there’s more pressure on the Bulls to win their home matches starting with title contenders Chorley this Saturday.
The third placed Lancashire club are familiar opposition in recent years and with one exception, have traditionally escaped from the Street with a positive result. The exception being a 1-0 victory in November 2021, sadly without a paying audience due to covid. Chorley are traditionally a well organised and determined bunch. But maybe not so this time. They’ve lost 3 of their last 5 League games – a narrow defeat at Chester, a hard-to-take 3-0 home defeat by Curzon, and a frankly shocking 3-0 defeat at Marine. How so? Their long injury list has taken away up to 7 regular starters at a time and so they are getting by with a bunch of hastily loaned teenagers. They’ve already used 30 players this season. Chorley traditionally have a spine of dependable long servers at the back and in the middle and many of those are missing. To add to their existing woes, senior defender Ellis left the pitch at half time last Saturday on his comeback after missing 6 fixtures. He is doubtful for our game.
Being 36, he’ll need extra recovery time. His regular partner Scott Wilson is already absent serving a red card suspension while every-game midfield regular Mike Calverley has a one match ban for five yellows.
Chorley may have scored 30 league goals, the joint third highest total, but there is no obvious regular net finder in their ranks. Goals are shared around and are scarce commodities lately. No-one has more than 3 or 4 across the squad. Only one of that group, ex Bulls striker Mo Touray is likely to start.
Our battling 1-1 draw at Chorley early season was a demonstration of our Step 2 maturity this term, a fightback from a goal down which could have been 3 points if only Willo had put away our late penalty. Chorley played very direct football that day without the right striker to hold the ball up. With the recent return of their very large striker Sampson from injury, won’t be a surprise to see more back to front football from the visitors.
Playing a top three club at home feels like a refreshing new challenge. Other than Skins, young Preston and a seemingly permanently suspended Tate Campbell, we have a full squad to pick from. I do hope we can maintain our average attendance despite the cold weather and Christmas distractions. With the Chorley public intrigued by the idea of going full time next season, gates have increased 27% so maybe more visitors than usual. The club are carrying a £450,000 deficit and are owned by a company yet to file any accounts so I do wonder about the wisdom of such a move.
Make sure you are at Edgar Street this Saturday. The team certainly need your support to remain in the race for the top-seven positions.
If you’re unable to make it catch up with all the action on Radio Hereford FC who’ll be bringing you full match commentary live from Edgar Street.
Radio Hereford FC | Hereford FC – The Official website of Hereford FC
We suspect that some regulars have not yet bought their copy of Talking Bull, so Brian and I will be selling the remaining print copies behind the main stand. Do listen out for us. This will be the last on-the-day sale opportunity, although our on-line shop is available for supporters who can’t make Edgar Street this Saturday.
Simon Wright
