Caught up in the action, I've been looking out for you

JKDH

Hereford United 1 Wycombe Wanderers 0

Play-offs: do you relish the thought of another day out at Wembley, or do the memories of semi-final failure put you off a tad? I know where I am. That’s why Hereford is last chance saloon time, a top of the table shoot-out that Wanderers simply have to win. The heat is on.

Is it just you or is it hot in here?

Where Wycombe were limp at Lincoln they were hard-working (and so nearly heroic) at Hereford. Different approach: same outcome. One away goal from three fixtures tells its own story but in truth this was a galling and undeserved defeat; sickening in so many ways and hot-on-the-heels of missing a 33-1 winner in light and dark blue at Cheltenham the day before. A sporting weekend riddled with errors.

A bit of Clint Easton banter, a pantomime villain in Simon Johnson, a promising debut from Herd on Wycombe’s right side, enough poor officiating to keep most supporters foaming at the mouth, a ramshackle ground of mix and match stands and the narrowest turnstiles I’ve ever seen (how a good percentage of the travelling support gained access to the ground I still have no idea). Did I mention this was also a jolly good game of promotion- chasing Division Four football between two sides trying to play good football in suitably damp March conditions? No? Well it was.

There must be something wrong with my eyes, I can’t take them off you

Whilst Wycombe’s build up was often patient, Lennon and Oakes regularly slowing the pace but maintaining possession, Hereford played in incisive bursts and both styles threatened during a thoroughly entertaining first half. A fair portion of the action took place behind one of the many concrete pillars that lined the shallow terrace. I got a pretty good work out moving up and down the steps, angling for a better view of another McCracken header or Holt enforcing his iron will upon the midfield. No sign of Tom Doherty of course, smbu’s man sitting this one out after a couple of mellow yellows. Stockley’s back to the bench with Herd’s arrival allowing Russell Martin to revert to right back.

With a little luck Wanderers could have been ahead early on through McGleish or Herd or even a rare foray into the opposition box from Oakes; a combination of unfavourable bounce and excellent defending preventing the vocal and 400-strong away following from cranking the volume up another notch. Herd provided a refreshing willingness to run with the ball from wide right and – check this out – crack a shot off now and then.

At the other end Hereford sought to get behind the Wanderers defence, and there were saves and scrambles aplenty including Russell Martin (I think - it was just going behind another pillar at the time) heading off his own goal line. Diagouraga impressed for the home side and while Wycombe controlled midfield possession for long periods Hereford came closer to scoring as the game ebbed and flowed towards half time, drawing to a close with another chance at either end – Wycombe scrambling away for Herd to run box-to-box before flashing a shot just wide. Thrilling stuff. Half-time, 0-0 and a game of “is this queue for the toilets or the food?” - bizarre ground.

You remind me of a parking ticket, you have ‘fine’ written all over you

Frankie Fielding’s excellent one-on-one stop (yes, another one) from Hooper after Mike Williamson’s slip kept the hopes high; not sure what happened to Crackerjack - he may have got injured behind a pillar - but certainly no sign of him for the second half.

At this stage I should probably waffle on about the rest of the second half. I’m not going to though. We were unlucky in the extreme, the ref was fussy, one of the players of the season pops up with an immaculately placed header beyond Double F – this after a ludicrous free kick which even brought a “what was that for?” from the home steward to my left. So, we’re all down and hacked off as we trudge out in the rain having watched a lot of huffing and puffing, the odd scramble, a half chance or two and a couple of long range efforts that didn’t quite turn into an equaliser. Possibly hit the bar or post – it was behind a pillar. So hacked off in fact that this correspondent’s parking ticket (you want me to pay and display in a gravel pit?) failed to invoke more than a mere grunt of annoyance. I’ve only written this so I can claim the fine back via SMBU Towers – “Miscellaneous Expenses”.

The support the team received at the end was testament to how hard they had fought but now, footballing miracles aside, the play-off lottery beckons and balancing the defensive solidity of having three midfield players on top of the back four, versus looking a more consistent threat going forwards is the conundrum to be unravelled. Herd and Sergio in the same team would be interesting (though unlikely) and it has been pointed out to me that Leon Knight has a great first touch so perhaps we should dispense with aiming the ball at his head? There are plenty of goals in this team - might be time to unleash them…

18.03.2008. 17:39

This article hasn't been commented yet.

Write a comment