Test

Saturday, September 08, 2012

Results Round-Up

The Bulls slip to eighth after today's results, but are still only five points short of top spot. Macclesfield are the new leaders after beating Braintree 2-1, a point ahead of Forest Green, who lost 1-0 at Grimsby, and Wrexham, who beat Cambridge 4-1. Newport are fourth after a 0-0 draw with Stockport, with Luton fifth after losing 3-0 at Alfreton. Gateshead are sixth after beating Dartford 2-0, with the Mariners seventh.

Down the bottom Kidderminster are back on the foot of the table and five points short of safety after a 2-2 home draw with Southport. Hyde move only to 23rd with their win, a point behind Lincoln after the Imps conceded a late goal at Telford to draw 1-1. Barrow won 3-1 at Tamworth to record only their second win of the season, while Ebbsfleet shocked Mansfield with a 3-1 win to move out of the bottom four. Woking beat Nuneaton 6-1 with Bradley Bubb scoring four.

Bulls Leathered By Hyde

The Bulls rolled over and let bottom of the table Hyde tickle their belly as they went down 5-2 at Ewen Fields in today's Conference game.

The Bulls scored after just four minutes, decided it was going to be too easy, and turned off. Hyde then proceeded to run through the Bulls midfield at will with a better work ethic. Only Ryan Bowman, who bagged two goals, will have any kind of happy memories from this match.

Full report later.

Nichols Extends Loan

Loan striker Tom Nichols has told his Twitter followers that he has extended his loan at Edgar Street into a second month.

The 19 year old was due to return to parent club Exeter following today's game but is now eligible for five more matches up to the game with Stockport on October 6th.

Zumba Party at Edgar Street Tomorrow

With the weather expected to be warm and sunny, the Mayor of Hereford's Zumba party at Edgar Street tomorrow is the place to be especially as it's all in aid of two local cancer charities.

Friday, September 07, 2012

Full Conference Programme This Afternoon

There is a full set of Conference games this afternoon, kicking off at 3pm.

Of the five teams currently above the Bulls, leaders Forest Green go to Grimsby in a tricky match while Luton travel to struggling Alfreton. Newport face Stockport with Macclesfield entertaining Braintree, while Wrexham face a tough match at Cambridge.

Commentaries on all 12 of the games can be heard on the BBC website here.

Full list:

AFC Telford V Lincoln City
Alfreton V Luton
Cambridge V Wrexham
Ebbsfleet V Mansfield
Gateshead Vs Dartford
Grimsby Vs Forest Green
Hyde Vs Hereford
Kidderminster Vs Southport
Macclesfield Vs Braintree
Newport Vs Stockport
Tamworth Vs Barrow
Woking V Nuneaton

Follow The Bulls This Afternoon

Not going to Hyde, but want to keep up with the Bulls this afternoon?

BBC Hereford and Worcester will have full commentary from Ewen Fields on 94.7FM around Herefordshire and also on-line.

Keith Hall will be behind the microphone for the station.

Bulls Player will also have coverage of the game.

More Talks Planned About Hereford Racecourse

A meeting between Herefordshire Council and the Arena Racing Company took place today and the main outcome is that the two parties have agreed to continue to discuss proposals to keep Hereford Racecourse in operation.

Council leader John Jarvis has offered Arena a new 125 year lease and the prospect of building a hotel on the site.

"I am pleased that our discussions will be continuing and the council remains comitted to the continuation of racing at Hereford," said Jarvis.

"I believe that all parties share in this objective."

Tony Kelly from Arena also commented after the meeting.

“We have had a positive meeting with Herefordshire Council, who have offered to explore a longer term lease

"We will work with the council throughout the remainder of 2012 and into next year to explore whether this is a viable option for the racecourse."

News Round-Up

Luton have signed Northampton striker Jake Robinson on an initial months loan. The 25 year old played for Hatters boss Paul Buckle on loan at Torquay, netting seven times in 22 games, before making the move to the Cobblers. The Hatters have also admitted their FA charge of failing to control their players after last weekend's match with Telford. They have been fined £500 and warned as to their future conduct.

Tamworth have signed Mansfield defender John Dempster on an initial months loan, and signed former Southend winger Jemal Johnson on non-contract terms. Dempster, 29, has played three times for the Stags this season after his summer move from Crawley. Johnson, 27, was sacked by Southend last December following a nightclub fracas and has been without a club since.

Gainsborough are reported to have signed striker Dominic Knowles, who played for the Bulls in Wednesday's reserve game as a trialist. Former Bulls loanee Karl Hawley has signed for Scunthorpe until January. The 30 year old has been without a club since being released by Notts County in the summer.

Lincoln boss David Holdsworth's injury problems have mounted with midfielder Alan Power ruled out for three months with an ankle injury picked up in Tuesday's loss to Alfreton.

Half Price Admission For Forces At Hyde

Bulls fans in the Armed Forces, and anyone with a Premier League or Championship season ticket can take advantage of a half-price entry offer at Hyde tomorrow.

Details are on the Hyde site here.

Foyle has watched Hyde

Hereford United manager Martin Foyle has done his homework by recently watching Hyde whom the Bulls play tomorrow.

"I am always wary of playing promoted teams before the 10-game mark as they are always on a high from promotion," said Foyle as reported by the Worcester News.

"I saw them against Luton and I thought they should have beaten them but Luton, like the other top sides, can bring people on to freshen it up.

"Hyde were very unlucky.

"It's a potential banana-skin but if we are right they will know they have been in a game."

Preview: Hyde vs Bulls

The Bulls travel to Ewen Fields for the first time to face Hyde in a Conference match on Saturday.

The two sides have met only once, in a FA Trophy match in 2005, when the Bulls beat their lower-graded opposition 3-0 thanks to goals from Tamika Mkandawire, Danny Carey-Bertram, and Rob Purdie. Today's Hyde will be virtually unrecognisable from that side, having dropped both the United from their name and swapping their club colours from red to blue after securing a substantial sponsorship deal with Manchester City to use their home as the Premier League club's reserve base.

Rookie Hyde boss Scott McNiven is still looking for his first win in charge of the Tigers, taking them into Saturday's game on the back of five straight defeats. The 33 year old took over after ex-Bull Gary Lowe quit the club over what he saw as an uncompetitive budget, and results so far have proven him right. Last season's top scorer Scott Spencer hit two goals on the opening day but hasn't scored since with the Tigers racking up only four goals from their seven matches.

Bulls boss Martin Foyle is expected not to risk forward pair Marlon Jackson and Marley Watkins with both back in training following injury. The duo have been sorely missed but Foyle is aware that rushing them back, especially against the bottom side in the league, may not be the wisest decision. Ryan Bowman made an early impression in his debut start for the Bulls on Tuesday, setting up Ashley Sammons' opener, and is likely to retain his spot.

Hyde vs Hereford United, Ewen Fields, Saturday 8th September, 3.00pm.

News Round-Up

Telford have signed veteran striker Darren Byfield on a deal until January. The 35 year old has played just two Conf North for Solihull games since leaving Walsall last summer, but was due to sign for Port Vale before their ongoing Administration scuppered the deal. The Bucks have also confirmed that former Bull Jordan Rose has signed a deal to the end of the season after originally agreeing non-contract terms.

Truro City's Administrator is to investigate the £2.28million sale of the club's ground two weeks ago to work out where the money went, with the remaining club directors unaware of the mechanics of the deal finalised by bankrupt former owner Kevin Heaney. Woking say midfielder Guiseppe Sole will not play again for at least a year after being diagnosed with a 'career threatening' knee injury.

Former Bulls loanee Byron Anthony turned out for Torquay's reserves on Tuesday as they played the Nike Academy, but his hopes of a contract were dashed with boss Martin Ling rejecting both him and fellow central defender Alex Evans. Stockport have handed non-contract keeper Lewis King a deal til January, and signed midfielder Alex Meaney from a local college.

Darlington's old Arena home is set to host some egg-chasing after local rugby side Mowden Park had a bid for the ground accepted. The 25,000 seat area will be a huge step-up for the second tier side that have gates of 200. Cambridge midfielder Harrison Dunk is expected to undergo surgery on a knee injury picked up in training. The 21 year old has missed the last two matches with the problem with the club awaiting confirmation from a scan before proceeding with surgery.

Barrow have loaned striker Obi Anoruo to Hinckley for a month. The former Wrexham man has made just two sub appearances since signing in the summer.

Trialists On Show In Bulls Reserve Loss

Bulls boss Martin Foyle put a number of trialists through their paces as the Bulls lost 2-0 to Port Vale in a friendly at Vale's training ground.

The game on Wednesday saw long-term injury victim Joe Heath get 75 minutes according to the official site, which named the full side to play in the game:

Dan Connor, Ben Hoskin, Alex Evans, Carl Piergianni, Joe Heath, Tristan Plummer, Will Evans, Christian Smith, James McQuilkin, Tom Nichols, Dominic Knowles. Sub - Liam Molesworth.

Piergianni was a regular with Stockport last season but rejected a new deal in the summer, while Evans started the season on non-contract terms at Oxford, making one sub appearance, before leaving last week. Hoskin is a former Burnley trainee who left non-contract terms at Barrow two weeks ago.

Smith, at 24 the oldest of the trialists, is a midfielder formerly of Port Vale and York who spent last season with Chester. Knowles is a 20 year old striker released by Burnley in the summer and was previously trialling with York. Molesworth is a young striker who has trialled for the likes of Inverness and Bournemouth.

Thursday, September 06, 2012

Foyle Considers Bringing In Defender

Hereford United manager Martin Foyle is considering bringing in a defender in advance of tomorrow's game at Hyde.

Michael Townsend who missed last Tuesday's game with a back problem remains on the side-lines so Foyle will stick with the partnership of captain Luke Graham and Stefan Stam in the heart of defence.

Foyle appears concerned that he is short of cover which implies Townsend could be missing for several games.

Meanwhile Marley Watkins will also miss the Hyde game with an ankle injury and Marlon Jackson is also unlikely to be match-fit.

Bulls 21/20 to win at Hyde

Hereford United travel to Hyde tomorrow for a Conference League game. It will be the first time the Bulls have played at the Ewens Field.

With Hyde currently bottom of the League, the Bulls are favourities to win the game but, as manager Martin Foyle said, that means nothing.

Top price for a Bulls' win is 21/20 with both William Hill and Coral. Top price for a draw is 19/7 with Pinnacle.

Latest odds from BlueSq:

Hyde 5/2 Draw 12/5 Hereford 1

I know the size of the job says Foyle

In his interview for the Conference podcast (see earlier article), Hereford United manager Martin Foyle spoke about the season to date and the difficult task of managing the Bulls with a reduced budget.

"There's been a big turnaround of players but the biggest problem was being relegated out of the football league," said Foyle.

"There was a lot of gloom and doom around the place and it was important we got players smiling again.

"Four wins out of seven, I don't think I can complain really.

"I know the size of the job, we've got massive cutbacks to make this year and the club is probably more important than the team at the moment.

"The club financially was in a perilous position and we've got to make sure the club survives this year and hopefully then next year we might be in a better position to have a go at it."

The Bulls travel to promoted Hyde on Saturday.

"I'm always wary of playing promoted teams in the first ten games of the season. They are still on a high, they're still trying things.

"Yes they are bottom of the league but that means nothing. I've had three reports on them - they play excellent football - and I don't expect anything other than a hard game."

So what about the season given clubs with bigger budgets?

"We've just got to try and stay in that top ten and try and keep on the coat-tails of the big boys and see where it takes us.

Russon Joins Robins Board

Tim Russon has been appointed as Commercial Director at Cheltenham Town, just days after disposing of his Bulls shareholding.

The appointment is reported by the Robins to be part of their moves to become 'self-sufficient' with Russon responsible for increasing commercial and media activities at Whaddon Road in what is understood to be a paid role.

Russon told their official site: “I am thrilled and honoured to be joining the team at Cheltenham Town. It’s a club I have always been close to and admired both on and off the pitch."

Foyle On The BlueSq Podcast

Bulls boss Martin Foyle is interviewed in this week's BlueSq football podcast.

The podcast can be downloaded from the BlueSq site here, with Foyle's interview starting around the 13 minute mark. Also interviewed are Cambridge's Jez George, Barrow's Dave Bayliss, and Dartford boss Tony Burman.

VP Club Newsletter

Here is the first of this season's Vice Presidents Club newsletters.

Click to Enlarge

Hyde Travel Update

Bulls News had been advised that Hereford fans will be welcome in the Hyde Supporters Club on Saturday before and after the game. Entrance is from outside the ground.

Also, a limited number of seats are available for the main stand on a first come first served basis.

Bulls Progress In FA Youth Cup

The Bulls have progressed in the FA Youth Cup, beating Hednesford Town 2-1 last night.

The official site reports that Joe Tumelty and Tom John scored for the Bulls to progress to a First Qualifying Round match away at Birmingham side Romulus.

A potential local derby at Edgar Street still awaits in the Second Qualifying Round after Pegasus Juniors beat Stone Dominoes 4-0 in their match last night. They now face Earlswood Town or Solihull Moors in the next round, with that pair playing tonight.

News Round-Up

Lincoln's chairman is to meet with a select group of fans amid growing unrest at Sincil Bank. Gates have plunged well below break-even levels after a dismal start, with manager David Holdsworth bemoaning that he is missing eight of his already light squad through injury. The local press reports that the Imps are losing £10,000 on each home match so far. Stockport have announced another match with heavily discounted admission, with their home game with Ebbsfleet at the end of the month now £5 for Adults and £1 for kids after two similar games last term.

Tamworth's hopes of signing veteran midfielder Stefan Oakes have been dashed as the former Leicester man does not want to commit to their training regime after starting up his own business. Kettering assistant boss Dean Greygoose confirmed last night that the club had not paid the playing staff their August wages. Owner Imraan Ladak is back in charge, but the volunteers that held the fort over the summer have quit their positions over recent weeks.

Grimsby striker Anthony Elding says he is disappointed not to have been given another chance at League football after Preston made a late bid for his services, but he remains committed to the Mariners. The 30 year old had hoped to be reunited with his former Stevenage manager Graham Westley.

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

So Now We Know

Wouldn't it be good to see this advert on a perimeter board at Edgar Street. (Situated at London Bridge Station)

Stunning Goal From Clucas

Sam Clucas scored a stunning goal for the Bulls just before half-time in last night's game against Woking.

"I gambled on the flick-on and it's gone through," Clucas told the Hereford Times.

"The lad took a touch and I tackled him but didn't know where the ball was going to land.

"Fortunately it landed right in front of me, I shot straight away and it went in.

"I want to score as many goals as I can but overall it was a good team performance.

"We lost a bit of confidence losing two on the trot, but we knew we had the quality to bounce back and knew we would score goals.

"Now, hopefully, we can carry it on at Hyde on Saturday."

Hyde Travel

Hyde FC v Hereford United

Blue Square Premier

Saturday 8^th September 2012 KO 3.00pm

Ewen Fields

Grange Road

Hyde

Cheshire

SK14 2SB

Phone 0161 367 7273

Formed in 1885 the club changed its name to Hyde United in 1919, before reverting to Hyde in 2010. They have played, in one form or other, at The Ewen Fields since 1906 working their way through the Manchester League, Cheshire League, Northern Premier and Conference North before joining The Conference National this season.

Ewen Fields has a capacity of 4073 with 530 seated. Visiting fans are accommodated on the covered "Tinkers Passage" End where there is room for around 500 spectators. Visiting supporters are not normally allocated any seats in the Main Stand.

Admission is understood to be £14 for adults, £7 for over 65’s and £4 for U16’s. There will be a £2 premium for seats if any are available.

HUISA – departs from Radford's at 9.30 am with a fare of £16 (£18 for non-members). Seats can be booked through The Club office (08442 761939).

BY CAR – To Worcester then M5 north to join the M6 (sign The North West). Continue on the M6 until leaving at J19. At the roundabout, take the third exit onto the A556 (Manchester). At the Bowdon roundabout, take the third exit onto the M56 (sign Manchester Airport). Keep in the left hand lane and branch left at J3 (sign Stockport, Didsbury, Sheffield, Leeds) then bear right at J1 to join the M60 (sign Ring Road, Stockport). Leave the M60 at J24 and at the roundabout take the third exit onto the A57 (sign Denton, Sheffield, M67). Continue forward onto the M67. Leave the M67 at J3 and at the traffic lights at the top of the slip road; turn right towards Hyde Town Centre. At the second set of traffic lights turn left onto Mottram Road. Pass a Morrisons store on your left and at the first set of lights turn right onto Lumn Road. At the top of the road there is a T-junction where you turn left onto Walker Lane. The entrance to the ground is down on the left just past Hyde Leisure Pool. Distance is about 145 miles and you should allow three hours. Postcode for Sat Nav is SK14 2SB.

PARKING – there is a park at the ground but it fills up quickly on match days. Parking is available at The Leisure Centre on a "pay and display" basis (£4)). Further parking is available in Hyde town centre a ten-minute walk away. Please note that street parking round the ground is "Resident Permit" only.

TRAIN – From Manchester Piccadilly, use Newton for Hyde Railway Station, which is a ten-minute walk from Ewen Fields.

ALEHOUSES – The Hyde Supporters Club usually admits visiting fans and the centre of Hyde offers several outlets including The Queens Hotel in Clarendon Place, The Cotton Bale ('Spoons) and The White Lion (Robinson’s) in The Market Place. Nearer the ground are The Sportsman on Mottram Road and The Gardeners Arms on Lumn Road.

CHIP SHOPS – Ocean Fish and Chips on Lumn Road or Au Yeung on Mottram Road.

Enjoy.

Barrow Warn Over Gates

Barrow chairman Brian Keen has warned fans he will have to sell the club's star assets if gates fail to improve at Holker Street.

The Bluebirds clocked up under a thousand spectators for last night's match with Grimsby, and are running at an average of 350 less than last season, with Keen warning that if Saturday's dismal 788 attendance against Kidderminster was to be the norm, then sales would be forced:

"It can't go on with gates of 700, I'll have to move (players on) because Barrow is a business, not just on the football park, and gates are down. The only way I can see us getting through it is if the fans will help us to get through this period, which I'm sure they will."

Barrow are by no means alone in suffering with small gates early in the season. The Bulls' total last night was substantially under the reported 2,400 break-even figure, while Lincoln's attendance was barely half the 3,000 their Directors are reported to be seeking.

Even leaders Forest Green haven't seen success bring the fans through the doors. Their average is down around 10% on last term, while big spending Mansfield have barely attracted 2,000 fans through the gates since their slow start.

News Round-Up

Truro City have confirmed they have entered Administration. The Cornwall side have been docked ten points as a result, dropping from tenth in the table to bottom on -2 points. Tamworth midfielder Lee Hendrie has gone to Lilleshall in a bid to kickstart his season. The veteran is yet to play for his new club following his summer arrival.

Gloucester City's hopes of returning to the city have been put on hold after planners deferred a decision on planning permission for a redevelopment of their old home, citing concerns over traffic and potential flooding to nearby homes. Rotherham boss Steve Evans is reported to be facing a FA hearing today over a charge of indecent behaviour relating to an incident in March. The fiery idiot is reported to have dropped his trousers in front of a female member of Bradford's staff while manager of Crawley.

Hill Bemoans "Giving Presents Away"

Speaking to the press after the match, Woking boss Garry Hill accused his side of "giving presents away" to allow the Bulls into a half time lead:

"When you say about conceding goals, you say about giving presents away. That's what we've done really. I'm frustrated tonight, can't knock the effort and commitment, but you can't find yourself playing against Wrexham conceding as cheaply as we did, Mansfield cheaply again, and then coming here very much in the game but Michael Cestor's chose to be a law unto his own. He had plenty of time to clear his lines. We've learnt the hard way in a big way."

"The brand of football we've played second half tonight I think we've had Hereford hanging on, got a goal back, we've kept going at the end. To get nothing at the end of the game is a bit harsh, when you hear the Hereford fans whistling at the end for the final whistle as they were it proves we're not far away."

Results Round-Up

Forest Green lead the Conference after a 4-1 demolition of Ebbsfleet at the New Lawn. The Gumpers head the table by a point from Luton, who beat Cambridge 3-2 with goals from defenders Janos Kovacs and Dean Beckwith, with former leaders Newport down to third after losing 2-1 at Dartford with Richard Rose scoring a last-minute winner. Wrexham are fifth after beating bottom club Hyde 2-0, though keeper Jonathan Mayebi may be in trouble after claims he headbutted striker Scott Spencer. Macclesfield are fourth after a 4-3 win at local rivals Stockport.

Mansfield moved into the top ten with a 2-0 win over Tamworth, but Telford's early run was halted with a 3-1 loss at Nuneaton. Gateshead lost 2-1 at Southport to remain on 12 points. At the other end of the table, Lincoln's troubles continue after Nicky Nicolau's second successive goal was not enough in their 2-1 loss at home to Alfreton, watched by just 1,566. The Imps are just goal difference above the relegation zone. Kidderminster picked up a second successive point to move off the bottom with a 1-1 draw at Braintree, with Barrow next after a 2-2 draw with Grimsby.

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Goals from Midfield pleased Foyle

Martin Foyle's side returned to winning ways last night and in particular the Hereford United manager was pleased that two of his midfielders scored the goals.

"I thought we played some outstanding football and throughly deserved the 2-0 halftime lead," Foyle told the OS.

"I brought in Sammons for Clist and he scored a super goal and was probably unlucky with another one.

"Then Clucas really put the icing on the cake.

"He just doesn't stop running.

"He chased a lost cause, got a good flick on, got a good slide tackle and a magnificent finish.

"Second half it got a bit nervy and you could feel it in the crowd, but three points are brilliant for us."