2012 & HEREFORD UNITED VISIT EVESHAM'S NEW STADIUM, BUT NOT FOR LONG...

Head-bangers Curtail Evening

Evesham 0 Hereford 0

(Abandoned after around 65 minutes)

This shortened encounter, due the clashing of two Hereford heads and the need for bandaging and ambulances, had been feisty at times, littered with free-kicks but no goals at all and few chances. Evesham impressed before the break, Hereford began the second period with more incisive replacements and then, with the pitch resembling a field-dressing station, I trooped out of the new stadium, headed for the grassy and muddy parking lot, negotiated the new traffic island and drove home for crumpets and marmalade. It’s what I do…

An early and tricky run along the left flank by United’s Brown ended with sterling defensive work by Evesham’s Eze, who conceded a fruitless corner, before some clever footwork by home left-back Masutto set up very lively winger Agbor. He was then fouled by Odhiambo, who spent the half in a tough and unrelenting physical bout with the diminutive forward. Agbor soon beat the full-back with some real magic on the half-way line but the move fizzled out, before Masutto passed to Corbett and the striker slipped a pass to Agbor on the left, who centred. Goalie Handford became Fistford, punching the ball down into his 6-yard box, before being rescued by a linesman’s eager flag. Evesham were thoughtful, with Hicks and Mackenzie prominent in midfield, both teams attacked along their left flanks predominantly and Eze was so strong in the home defence.

Masutto attempted a couple of step-overs again but was dispossessed then showed petulance with a cynical foul on his tackler, Evans. Finally, a shot was on the horizon, for much of the speedy play had been in the midfield areas and left-hand touchlines but Evesham had been awarded a 25 yard free-kick, which Mackenzie drove low and wide of the wide upright. Hereford’s speedy McQuilkin reached the right byeline but Macklin headed badly over the crossbar at the near post, before Palmer broke at inside-left for the hosts to win a corner, which like most of the first-half play, came to nought. Finally, Macklin’s pace created a chance for the visitors, as his pass to the tall Pell led to a feed right to the well-placed Canham, who shot straight at home ‘keeper Thomas.

More fine play by Agbor, who really needed more possession, so that he had begun to wander in-field in search of the ball, inadvertently led to a break by the Bulls and Macklin was upended by home skipper Robinson. McQuilkin had a shooting chance from the free-kick, 20 yards out, well right of centre and his curler only just cleared the near angle of bar and post.

Half-time: several substitutions, a nice orange sky, threatening clouds and a chat to Matt Williams’ parents, before Hereford looked much sharper, with Lucas prominent, Bird quick and Clist comfortable. Watkins was clever too. A short corner involving Lucas and Bird led to a cross, which Watkins rose for but could only head past the left upright, yet Evesham did nearly score when the powerful Eze set up Palmer but the ‘keeper and a fine challenge by a defender smothered the opportunity. A brilliant dribble, incorporating an exchange of passes with Smith’s back-heel, almost provided the jinking Watkins with a goal but a desperate lunge by a defender saved the struggling hosts. Robinson limped off injured, two Hereford players, Carruthers and Tindle, collided, heads spun, blood appeared, a delay ensued and the official called off the game, although some Hereford fans were grumbling that both players were soon standing and there were any number of replacements. Not for me to comment, though…  

SPANKING NEW...

A NEW STADIUM WELCOME...

TOSS...

HEAD-BANGERS...

MARTIN FOYLE CALLS A HALT...