After falling to defeat for the first time in a National League North encounter this season last night at Warrington, the Bulls will be looking to bounce back immediately on Saturday against Farsley Celtic.
Our visitors are not in a happy place. There’s no date to start work on their 4g pitch and thus every fixture is away. The Celtic squad have had 20 plus consecutive road fixtures (and to think some of our own complained about HFC having 4 straight away dates.) Recent results are showing the strain. Only so many times a team can gee themselves up in isolation. Prior to Peterborough (Wednesday night), they had lost 3 “home” League and Cup games, albeit they were also played away. Overall, the village side still has a credible real away record (they’ve had lots of practice) with only one defeat in the last five. Noticeably though their four away victories were all at bottom 6 clubs.
There is a divide between the views of a Farsley supporters’ group and the owner. Hard to be sure who is being most honest. The owner, a builder by trade, claims he’s been let down by a third party and the pitch will be laid soon enough. Players wages are only slightly delayed says he and off field staff are also getting their cash apparently. Said players disagree in what sounds like a “last resort” joint statement about losing trust.
Our Yorkshire visitors are under their second transfer embargo this year. Their accounts show a deficit doubled in two years, A club with no assets technically owing someone over £500k, presumably the owner. A figure which has surely massively ballooned without any turnstile income. The attendance for their last “home” game against Spennymoor at Bradford PA wasn’t released presumably because it was so low. Avenue insisted that their match fee and expenses were paid up front or the game was off. Celtic paid at the last minute. What if the owner, who’s just lost his partner, cuts his losses and walks away?
The visiting squad includes 6 central strikers, one of whom strangely is ex-manager Clayton Donaldson, now 40. The half dozen combined have only scored 3 goals between them. It’s the midfielders who weigh in with most goals. Top scorer is Ben Atkinson with 4. He plus older brother Chris and towering central defensive organiser Tom Allen are the senior core of the Celts.
Traffic was the key factor in last seasons’ encounter. The Celts finally rolled up at Edgar Street at 3pm and their leg-weary performers were three goals behind in the first half hour. Hereford cruised to a 4-1 victory, a rare end of season comfortable afternoon for us.
Good to have a home game at last and your support is really needed. Keeping those turnstiles clicking is vital to help our club build up a little extra cash. Funds to strengthen our ranks when needed. Be there if you can.
Otherwise listen to full match commentary from Radio Hereford FC, it’s still free to everyone.
Radio Hereford FC | Hereford FC – The Official website of Hereford FC
Simon Wright
