Hereford 1 City 3
Nigel Pearson summed this game up beautifully when he said that it showed the best and the worst of City. On a beautiful sunny day, when coats were unnecessary except in the away fans’ areas which unfortunately the sun didn’t penetrate, the feeling of anxiety among the City supporters was palpable.
In the first half the players were unconvincing and Hereford still had lingering hopes of avoiding the drop into the second division. We all screamed at Joe Mattock to tackle their player but for some reason best known to him he failed to do so until they were in the box and we had no complaint about the penalty. We had plenty of other complaints about the referee though, especially when he booked King for diving when he had clearly been brought down.
After Hereford went ahead, it was only a few minutes before Oakley scored with a peach of a free kick, choosing the only part of the goal that was undefended. What a shame his corners aren’t in the same league!
In the second half City came out with more determination, exemplified by the second goal. After two chances went begging, Dyer made no mistake with his follow-up to score, and you could see how much it meant to him. OK, he was booked inevitably for taking his shirt off but few could blame him.…
The third goal was sublime. Gradel played most of the second half and fortunately we saw what he can do when he is switched on; he dummied the full back with sublime ease – not to say impertinence – and Howard had the easiest of tasks to convert Gradel’s cross. After that, there was only one scare for City.
You could see how important the win was to the players and coaching staff and it was nice to see City playing with the style and swagger they showed earlier in the season.
The only down side was the ground; us women expect to have to queue for (in this case) two run-down toilets, but so did the men! It took ages to leave the ground at the end of the game as there was only one narrow staircase to exit by; as someone remarked, what happens if they have an emergency!
My sister was about the last to leave but this had the bonus of a chat with Wayne Brown, who warmed down in front of the City fans. He was our man of the match – nothing got past him and he looked so solid at the back. I can’t understand why Hull let him go and I am delighted that he has pledged his future to the City; I particularly liked the way he talked to the other players and it would be lovely to know what he said to Gradel before his moment of glory!
Most of the players had a good game although Fryatt’s lack of penetration must be a worry. The one exception was Mattock, every time he touched the ball you wondered what hash he would make of it, although to be fair he did clear one ball off the line in the first half when a second goal for Hereford would have made it so much harder.
Although I like Berner he was a bit anonymous, but it’s great that Dyer appears to have recovered his earlier form. I missed the Carlisle match but I gather Warner was a bit suspect, so the return of Stockdale was reassuring.
All in all, a good workmanlike display after the early jitters and three more points towards the goal of promotion – and, hopefully, the title.
Hereford: Gulacsi, Jackson, Broadhurst, Rose, Taylor, Myrie-Williams, Smith, Diagouraga, Pugh (Done 76), Brandy (Johnson 79), Guinan. Subs Not Used: Veiga, Gwynne, O'Leary.
Goals: Guinan 29 pen.
Leicester: Stockdale, Morrison, Hobbs, Brown, Mattock, Oakley, Andy King, Berner (Gradel 62), Dyer (Ajdarevic 90), Howard, Fryatt (Dickov 85). Subs Not Used: Warner, Kisnorbo.
Booked: Andy King, Dyer. Goals: Oakley 35, Dyer 74, Howard 86.
Att: 4,389 Ref: A Evans (Manchester).
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation