The Bulls will be looking to bounce back after their narrow FA Cup exit last Saturday as they travel the relatively short distance to Alfreton in the National League North this weekend.
Up The ‘Alf
I’m trying to be positive about the dark arts centre Mordor, sorry the Impact Arena. The locals are an affable friendly bunch. Refreshments are better than average. There’s an excellent programme/ football book shop. Admission prices remain very reasonable. The club bar is ok. Nearby street parking is easy. The Prospect Street micropub receives glowing reviews. Trouble is, many of those positives are sometimes denied to 95% of our support, due to segregation.
There’s very likely to be goals in this match, albeit history shows they are more likely to be in our net. In ten previous battles, we’ve only won one once. Still, we’ve had the great pleasure of nicking points from them three times during added-on periods. Extra playing time brought about by their timewasting. Skinner’s very late leveller last term, set up by Pondy, was a joy to behold.
Thanks to owning some land and a surprising amount of plant and machinery, the Reds maintain a positive balance on their accounts. (Are their tallest players classed as “plant?” Who knows?) They owe nothing to nobody. Even so, without a benefactor, there can’t be much money to chuck around. It’s surprising that Billy Heath’s latest supersized recruits are, in the main seasoned step 2 performers. Not misfits or squad members, these were regular first team NLN (or higher) performers. What do they have that we don’t? On paper at least, their squad looks more credible, an observation backed up by their form. They are unbeaten since the opening day of the season.
With a number of players moving on (or escaping) in the summer, manager Billy Heath went to the Big Bloke mine somewhere up North and shouted down “Five, please.” In came Moyo (6 foot), Taylor (6 foot 3), Abbey (6 foot 3), Anson (6 foot) and pride of place Hunt (6 foot 6). Shorthouse sorry Whitehouse also slipped in though he is sub six-foot. Did someone misread W of Whitehouse as an S and thought “ideal descriptor?”
The Reds are unbeaten at home. Jed Abbey, ex South Shields, is their top scorer with 5 goals. Hereford remain unbeaten away in the League. I can’t help thinking that our 13.5 players (surely Tex can only contribute here sat on a team mates’ shoulders) and two bench warmers need more beef in the ranks.
Admission is £15 adults, £10 for various concessions. Cash or card on the day. Don’t buy in advance, that costs more and there’s no need. Alfreton’s home average is 558, that’s lower than that of village team Needham Market.
Alfreton Town Football Club information
(Obscure quiz question in years to come. Why did a 24/25 step 2 League game at Alfreton only attract 115 people? Answer: it was a home match for Farsley against Leamington. The League insisted Celtic must play at home, which they couldn’t, neither would they allow the fixtures to be reversed.)
Make sure you are you there, or alternatively listen to full match commentary on Radio Hereford FC.
Simon Wright
