Hereford v Torquay (and others) Preview

In the past, I've hunted around for information to post as a preview during the day before a game and, understandably, my post will relate to the two teams playing. Today I'll broaden the coverage a little!
The outcome of tomorrow's tussle might result in Hereford staying up or dropping out of the league altogether. Equally, Torquay might find themselves promoted to League One or 'condemned' to the play-offs.
At the same time as these two are doing battle, the fixtures of other clubs might affect their respective fates.
Barnet are playing away at Burton Albion and a win for the Bees would send Hereford down no matter what the result at Edgar Street.
Martin 'Mad Dog' Allen has been parachuted in as Barnet boss to save them (again) from relegation and told the Evening Standard:
"There is no doubt we need to win this game and all our work this week has been geared towards a good performance and to continue the good work from last Saturday. Everyone here is chomping at the bit to play and to be involved and we will be doing everything we can to make sure that tomorrow is a good day.”
But Allen will be missing an 18 goal striker against Burton.
Izale McLeod has picked up an injury and will not be available tomorrow so Ben May should start alongside veteran hit man Scott McGleish. Defenders Michael Hector and Jack Saville will be fit despite suffering head injuries last weekend, while central defender Darren Dennehy, full-back Danny Senda and striker Steve Kabba are ruled. Winger Mark Marshall is still suspended for failing a drug test.
Burton are still waiting on defenders Aaron Webster and Ryan Austin who both missed last weekend's win over Macclesfield with knee injuries. Skipper John McGrath and striker Billy Kee are also missing.
Boss Gary Rowett may give a final bow to keeper Kevin Poole who, at 48, will be retiring at the end of the campaign.
And Rowett is hoping to finish the season on a high. He told the local press:
"I spoke to the lads three weeks ago about this game and said, 'look, we want to be able to go to the last game, walk around the pitch after it, look the fans in the eye, clap them – and get clapped back'. If we do in this game what we did last week, with a bit more end product, we'll cause anyone a problem."
Bulls fans will be hoping that Rowett does manage to motivate his players and with jobs at stake under the new boss (Rowett took control on March 17th), they certainly have more to play for than three points.
All the talk of what Barnet do at Burton is pointless, of course, if Hereford don't do the business against Torquay.
Gulls boss Martin Ling has called for his players and the visiting support to show some respect if they clinch promotion and the Bulls get relegated. He told the Devon press:
"Nobody knows what the outcome will be at Hereford. Our supporters know better than anyone what it's like to go down to the Conference, and, if we have something to celebrate, let's respect their situation and their space first."
Hereford winger and leading marksman, Tom Barkhuizen, is available following an illness that kept him out of last weekend's terrific win at Crawley. It will be difficult for manager Richard O'Kelly to change the team after that one, but eleven goal Barkhuizen is a real talent.
Edgar Street looks like it will be filled to the rafters tomorrow afternoon as the locals turn out in force to urge the side on (there were a few tickets left at the time of writing, but move fast if you want one).
While the majority of those inside the ground will be cheering on the home side, they will also be hoping that Torquay's promotion rivals Crawley and Southend can take early leads in their respective fixtures - away at Accrington and at home against already doomed Macclesfield.
If the Torquay players get wind of the fact that their fate is out of their hands - and the play-offs do indeed beckon - it might just help the Bulls out.
Crawley midfielder Josh Simpson certainly believes his team mates are up for the game tomorrow, but is aware that Accrington will be hurting after their last outing against Bristol Rovers. He said:
"We've had a good week's training and there has been a big buzz about the place and we can't what for Saturday to come now. Accrington isn't going to be easy, although they lost 5-1 they are going to want to put things right. We've got a lifeline now and hopefully we can do it. We just need to do what we've been doing all season and put in a good shift. There is one thing we can take from the season – self-belief and confidence."
And Southend - one point behind both Torquay and Crawley - haven't given up hope of clinching that important third spot either. Manager Paul Sturrock has no fresh injury worries going into the game and striker Freddy Eastwood said:
"The atmosphere has been really good with our fans being behind both goals and hopefully a few more can come along on Saturday and we can give them something to cheer about."
From a personal point of view, I'll nail my black and white colours to the mast on this one. While I wish no ill will on Torquay - and I'm not a card carrying Hereford supporter - I would like to see the Bulls survive.
I covered a few Hereford games earlier in the season and have visited Edgar Street on numerous occasions over the years. It's a decent club, the players and staff are always very accommodating and the fans - although not too big in numbers - are passionate. Besides, who wants to be part of a relegation wake?
If the worst does happen, it will probably mean that, aside from the odd FA Cup tie, I won't have the pleasure of visiting again until August 2013 at the earliest. So come on the Bulls!