Game Forty - Hereford Home

28 December 2008

The final game of a crazy year in the world of LCFC and a chance to finish off the year by passing the 50 points mark and taking us one step closer to our aim of promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt.

The day started in the usual way for a home game with a long lie in and slow start to the day, heading off in decent time and in no massive rush to get anywhere - the way it should be! Met up with Helen and her mum outside the stadium and exchanged christmas presents seeing as we hadn't managed to before 'the big day.'

The game kicked off at a decent pace with a few chances being created early on with Fryatt and Oakley both having shots blocked, the latter arguably could have done better after a shot was blocked into his path but couldn't adjust his body quick enough to volley the loose ball with any power. It didn't take long for the first goal to find it's way in though as Fryatt knocked the ball into Davies he layed it off sweetly for Howard to smash home. A very neat, tidy goal and one that released any tension that was felt.

Within seconds of the restart, Davies nearly made it two, as he weaved his way through the defence with pace and skill before knocking it just wide of the post. The loan signing is looking like a real prospect and although I'd love to see him stay at the club, I can see Wolves calling him back to the club for the busy run in.

Some further quality build up saw the Hereford keeper produce a wondersave from a close range Fryatt shot and it was all Leicester as long range shot after shot missed the target or was turned away by the man between the sticks.

Hereford were restricted to long range efforts that rarely tested Martin and it seemed that the visitor's lack of prominence in front of goal away from home would continue for at least another game.

At half time, and with the score remaining at one nil, I made my usual trip down to the concourse to catch up with Katy and put the world to rights in the round about way that only we can.

The second half started with the one change with the injured Fryatt being replaced by Paul Dickov. We can only hope that Fryatt's injury isn't serious and that he'll be back soon as we can't afford to wait for Howard to strike up a partnership with another strike man if we want to stay ahead of the chasing pack.

The first real chance of what turned into a rather dull second half was an Oakley free kick that was fired straight down the throat of the keeper.

Lloyd Dyer and another free kick, this time from Andy King tested the keeper but he was up to the job. At the other end, Hereford had their first real chance as Guinan broke free but fired straight at Martin under pressure from the chasing Morrison. Hereford were starting to come back into the game though and an appalling attempt at a punch from Martin nearly gifted the equaliser but a lack of composure in front of goal ensured that we stayed ahead.

In the 71st minute though, we got the second goal that was so badly needed and it was that man again: Andy King. A corner was only half cleared and Gilbert swung it back into the box, Oakley played it down and King placed a tidy shot past the keeper. Very neat goal and we assumed put the game beyond doubt.

With little over 10 minutes to go, Hereford were right back in it when a free kick was easily headed in from a few yards. Where the defence had gone is still a mystery. From then on it was a very tight affair and Hereford came with inches of snatching an undeserved equaliser when a free kick from Kris Taylor just drifted wide of the post with Martin well beaten. The final whistle was greeted with cheers, one because we'd won and two because we could finally leave after a very dull affair. Nothing on the pitch or in the stands seemed to click... and we still won. Sign of champions I think!

So that's 2008 done in terms of football. 63 matches done in the calendar year, a record for me and I don't expect I'll be able to top on that in 2009. We've had the highs and we've had some very severe lows. Some memorable away trips, and some forgettable performances on the pitch. Loads of new friends met, and loads of new grounds racked up. Apart from that miserable day in May, and the home game against Sheffield Wednesday the week before which left me feeling as low as I ever have before, it's been a fun time to be football fan. True the football has left a lot to be desired and for the first part of the year we wern't getting the results but the away days were as memorable as anything else I've done in my life at times. Says a lot when you can see your team get battered all round the country and still think fondly of the day as a whole. May the good times continue into the new year. Whatever you do, whoever you support, I hope 2009 is a great one for you. See you in the new year!

63 games