A match when on and off the pitch, a boost is badly needed for all Hereford people. Unfortunately, we’re facing the club with the best away record in the division. 38 points on the road with only 3 defeats. The Nash can boast of 11 away victories and 4 draws with only 14 goals conceded in 18 fixtures. Curzon are notoriously stubborn at Edgar Street. In complete contrast to Scarborough, away victories are common when the two clubs meet. After all, we’ve won three times at their place. Just the one previous home victory for the Bulls to report – last season when Curzon lost their discipline finishing with nine men. A repeat of that 3-1 win would be celebrated long and loud. Team selection is key. Curzon are without their main striker, the 11 goal James Spencer. That’s likely to hurt what is a very small squad with no other central striker listed. Their manager will probably ask the versatile Adam Barton to fill in. He’s more normally a well-built defensive midfielder or defender, though was benched for the last two fixtures. Can we cash in?
Their top scorer with 12 goals Stefan Mols hails from Spain. Mols and Ceesay can swear at each other in Spanish and no-one will be any the wiser. He’s roughly their answer to Babos, enjoying filling space behind the target man. Last season our visitors secured a play-off place on the last day. They were strong away but very average at home, a pattern which they are repeating this season. They are a passing team with lots of pace in midfield. With games in hand, they look set for the playoffs again and this on a playing budget around 40 per cent smaller than ours. Because of their set-up as a co-operative, the Nash are obliged to publish this figure and many others annually. This club makes most of its money from pitch hire, café and bar takings all of which dwarf monies taken at the turnstiles.
Curzon played a home game on Tuesday while our players trained. Might that help? Just the latest example of a period of grasping at straws. Hereford’s glaring problem is how to score a goal. Going without for over 300 minutes at such a crucial time of the season is painful. No doubt Caddis will be checking his options. Might DJ Sturridge be fit after his latest injury? Will Cowley or Willo start? Surely Derricott will be on the bench for the rest of the season now with defensive options limited. Could Rooney be considered as the manager on the pitch? That makes more sense than usual as the Nash have player manager Craig Mahon directing operations. Hope remains for our club. Be there if you can. You’ll miss it when the season is over.
If you can’t make the Street, listen in to Radio Hereford FC with George and Keith rhapsodising about the Bulls being back on grass.
Radio Hereford FC | Hereford FC – The Official website of Hereford FC
Simon Wright