Weather permitting the Bulls take on the Bucks at Edgar Street on Saturday. That after Hereford played some enterprising football at Chorley in midweek but, as has so often been the case this season, failed to convert a host of first half chances and ultimately fell to defeat. Meanwhile, Telford secured a morale boosting 4-0 home win over Bradford PA.
Simon Wright takes a look ahead to the weekend clash. Can Hereford secure another seasonal double
There is always someone worse off than yourselves … in NLN, that club is AFC Telford who have propped up the League pretty much all season. They tried changing the manager in October without any significant difference. Having to pay two managers probably impacted on the playing budget and so the incoming Neil Wilkin had little to work with. “I work with what I’ve got” he told the Shropshire Star recently, somewhat wearily. His new talent appear to be young loanees or free agents. Sometimes there isn’t much a good manager can do when the malaise has already set in.
Our visitors have the worst home record, the worst away record, the lowest goals scored and the most goals conceded. Only 8 away points with only away victory was at Buxton in mid-January. Since then, they lost every away game before securing a goalless draw at Farsley Celtic last Saturday. With such a record, the Bulls are absolutely expected to win which creates pressures of its own. Witness our 1-0 victory at AFC Telford where we sat back on the single goal advantage and almost paid the price.
Only 2 wins in his first 25 games. Wilkin has added some defensive resilience and grit (too much grit sometimes judging by their 3 sendings off) but goals and points are hard to find. Their top scorer Brendan Daniels has 6 goals – 5 of those were early season. Last years’ main scorer Jason Oswell has barely played any football due to injury. Doubly vexing for him as a he is a physio by day.
There are a few clubs who always struggle against us. York got themselves promoted to avoid losing regularly to the Bulls, now the Lillywhites are going down and our other favourites Blyth Spartans may join them. Doesn’t bode well for next season. Stating Hereford always beat Buxton sounds a little thin when we have only played them twice.
Because Telford owns a lot of fixtures and fittings, their last balance sheet (2021) shows a positive balance. These assets don’t pay bills with creditors owed almost £200,000. With relegation looming, hard to imagine their situation has improved much since.
To their credit, AFC Telford still have a higher average gate than both AFC Fylde and Kings Lynn at just under 1,300. Their supporters resolve will be tested next season in step 3 and so will management as some players will want away. According to some sources, key defender Harry Flowers is on contract until 2025 so that could be a difficult one to manage.
See you at the Street for the Telford Farewell.
