Oxford United 0 AFC Bournemouth 0 (AET) Oxford win 5-3 on pens

Well that's two hours of my life that I'm never getting back!

I think it's fair to say that neither of these two sides hit the ground running in the League Cup last night and I'd like to say a special 'thank you' to Ryan Clarke and Damian Batt for finally putting me out of my misery in the penalty shoot out.

Keeper Clarke saved Marc Pugh's spot kick after five of the other players had converted theirs and it seemed as if the match was never going to end. Full back Damian Batt converted the winner to put the home side into the hat for the next round - and a possible much needed money spinner against a Premier League outfit?

I suspect everyone knew it was going to be a long evening when Cherries striker Wes Thomas headed Pugh's free kick wide from three yards in the third minute.

Even if it wasn't a spectacular evening's entertainment, the game was fairly evenly contested.

But it was Shwan Jalal who made sure of extra time with a great save at the death.

Defender Simon Francis handled just outside the box and Bournemouth's Baghdad-born keeper tipped over Adam Chapman's blistering free kick in the 91st minute.

Opposite number Clarke needed to be at his best to block a six yard effort from striker Thomas in extra time, but both sides struggled to break the deadlock.

Jalal had also produced two great stops in a matter of seconds just before the break in normal time.

Chapman and fellow midfielder Sean Rigg took turns to fire in low, angled shots from either side of the box, but stopper Jalal beat them away.

Not a classic by any means, but to be fair, the summer cobwebs always take a few games to be brushed away at this point of the season.

It will be interesting to see how Chris Wilder sets up the side when they take on Bristol Rovers in the first league fixture at the Memorial Ground on Saturday.

While Chapman saw a good deal of the ball, neither Jake Forster-Caskey or Lee Cox seemed to be able to get to grips with it, but I think this was due more to the tactics employed than their willingness to get involved.  However, Oxford came out winners in the end and so who am I to criticise?

My piece from to0day's paper.

Oxford v Bournemouth

I'm off to watch Oxford take on Bournemouth in the League Cup tonight (renamed the Capital One Cup and formerly the Coca Cola, Carling and the Milk Cup which the Us won many years ago).

I was sorry to hear that Oxford central defender Michael Duberry has undergone an operation on a prolapsed disc that will see him out of the side for quite some time. He is a decent, whole-hearted and honest player, but, more importantly, a nice guy and I wish him a speedy and full recovery.

No doubt Michael, 36, would have liked to have faced the Cherries tonight - a side he made seven appearances for on loan from Chelsea as a kid - but Chris Wilder has options at the back including new signing Michael Raynes, 24, who is an established player at this level having started nearly two hundred games for  Stockport, Scunny and more recently Rotherham.

Andy Whing, Peter Leven and Liam Davis also miss out with injuries..

But if Wilder has some concerns, opposite number Paul Groves has an sick list that even Oxford fans wouldn't wish on their worst enemy (well, unless he was an Italian managing a Wiltshire club I guess!).

Before a ball has even been kicked in anger, Groves is without long-term absentees Wes Fogden, Stephen Purches,Charlie Sheringham, Steve Fletcher, Josh McQuoid, Richard Hughes, Frank Demouge and Mark Molesley..

And Eunan O'Kane is away on international duty with Republic of Ireland's under-21s. 

Adam Bartlett and Tommy Elphick are doubtful as well, but presumably may be called upon if the visiting kit man, bus driver and tea lady fail late fitness tests!

With each passing season I get the impression that this competition is gaining increasing apathy from fans, players and managers alike. The Walsall/Brentford fixture I saw on Saturday felt like a pre-season warm up game.

But from Oxford's point of view it is an opportunity to test themselves against a League One outfit and maybe get a money spinning draw in the next round. I suspect though that Wilder - while wanting to win - will see it as a competitive pre-season game before the real business starts on Saturday.

For Bournemouth it's a case of surviving the evening without putting more pressure on the NHS.

Walsall 1 Brentford 0

And we're back! The 2012/13 season started on Saturday with yours truly being given the pick of the Capital One Cup (League Cup) fixtures.

The game had the feel of a pre-season tussle about it until Brentford striker Jake Reeves's assassination attempt on Adam Chambers near the half way line, but Dean Smith's lack of excitement at the prospect of another game in the competition was matched only by Uwe Rosler's  indifference at Brentford's exit. Still, it was nice to brush off the cobwebs and sample my first KFC of the season on the was to the Bescot!

Ashley Hemmings sealed his Black Country switch with a winning super strike.

Winger Hemmings, 21, was released by Wolves in the summer and scored in only the 8th minute of his Walsall debut.

Striker Will Grigg's low shot from 14 yards was blocked by defender Kevin O'Connor, but Hemmings pounced to drill a low shot home from the left.

In the 25th minute midfielder Jake Reeves was shown a straight red card for a lunge on opposite number Adam Chambers to make life even more difficult for the Bees.

But Saddlers keeper David Grof was still forced to pull off a string of super second half saves as ten-man Brentford  fought to stay in the Capital One Cup.

Walsall boss Dean Smith said:

"It's all about getting through to the next round and we did that."

Smith also jokingly revealed that David Grof - who made three top drawer saves in the second period - got the number one shirt ahead of veteran James Walker because: "His new haircut counted against him when he arrived at the ground this morning. He was trying to look like a teenager!"

Whatever Smith's reasons, Grof was delighted and proud to have been handed the number one shirt when I had a brief chat with him in the car park after the game and the young Hungarian certainly looked up to the job when I saw him play last season. With Walker as his back-up, they seem to have some quality between the sticks this season.

Brentford manager Uwe Rosler said:

"We were always in the game and gave them a run for their money. I'd like to focus on the reaction we had in the decond half. We always looked like we were in the game."

My 'award winning' piece from Sunday's paper. The Olympic coverage was - for some strange reason - deemed to be more important than a League Cup clash between two Division One outfits and consequently space in the paper was tight!

They think it's all over ...

... well it is for me!

My season driving around the western counties of England, in search of Saturday afternoon footy, is now at an end.

Burger van owners, managers of KFC and MacDonald outlets, and motorway service stations across the region are cutting costs as I type in anticipation of the loss of income during the summer months. I promise though to invest any of the earnings made this season into keeping the British brewing industry afloat.

I will post intermittently until August as and when; a) I have something important to comment on, b) I'm drunk or c) I'm so drunk that I think I have something important to comment on - only to realise the next day that I've committed libel!

I'll be cheering on Cheltenham in the play-offs from a bar in Mexico this weekend and - if they get through to the final - will gladly fork out to go to Wembley and cheer them on when I get back.

The number of visitors to jefftaplin.blogspot.com has shot up during the last eight months and so I'd like to thank you both for your support. Keep checking back or follow @jefftaplin on Twitter for updates and inane 140 character waffle.

To fans of Hereford; I wish you a speedy return.

To fans of Swindon; Congratulations - good to see the pained expressions of last season replaced by smiles.

To fans of Reading; Enjoy the trip. It'll be nail biting, but hey, what a ride you're in store for.

To fans of Oxford; keep the faith, the club ARE moving steadily in the right direction.

To fans of Wycombe; it was always going to be tough this season, but you have the set up to do a Swindon in 2012/13

To fans of Walsall; Phew! That was a close call!! I think Dean and the boys might surprise you - in a good way - next term.

To fans of Bristol City; see Walsall and replace the name Dean with Derek

To fans of Bristol Rovers; Gotta be favourites for promotion next year Gasheads - surely?

And finally, to fans of Cheltenham; Good luck for the remainder of your season.

Enjoy the summer (Jubilees, Euros and Olympics) and stay safe so I can bore you during the next campaign.

Best wishes, Jeff

Hereford last day in the league - Videos

Thought I'd share the following footage with Bulls fans, although they may regard them as video nasties given what transpired on Saturday! However, this is not an exercise in rubbing salt in the wounds and I hope that I can post some video celebrations from Edgar Street in twelve months time.

It's been a pleasure covering the odd Hereford game in recent seasons and all the best to everyone connected with the club.

The players run out to face Torquay

Harry Pell grabs the second from the spot

Referee Roger East blows the whistle on the Bulls six year stay in the Football League

They think it's all over. Well it is, but hopefully for just one season.

Hereford United 3 Torquay United 2

Delroy Facey suffered relegation from the league for the second successive season, but this time he went down fighting.

Grenada international Facey, 32, dropped into the Conference last term with Lincoln, but the striker said:

"I missed the last twelve games last year with injury so it was frustrating watching them get relegated from the stands and not being able to do anything to help. At least this time I can say I gave it all I could. It's obviously not much of a consolation though."

Facey worked tirelessly to help Hereford storm to a three goal lead at the break and nodded in an eleventh minute opener, but Barnet's win at Burton sent the Bulls down as Hereford fought for their league lives.

Skipper Rob Purdie curled in a cross from the right in the eleventh minute and Facey nodded the ball down and through keeper Robert Olejnik's legs from five yards.

Midfielder Harry Pell doubled the lead from the spot in the 36th minute.

Purdie darted into the box and was up-ended by midfielder Lee Mansell before Pell buried the penalty for his third goal of the season.

And Purdie added the third himself five minutes before half time.

Pell's shot from the right angle of the area was blocked by central defender Mark Ellis, but Purdie drilled home the loose ball from 16 yards for his fourth of the season.

Torquay fought back after the break even though their chances of automatic promotion were slim with results going against them elsewhere.

Manager Martin Ling threw on substitutes Ryan Jarvis and Taiwo Atieno at half time and Jarvis took just fourteen seconds to net with his first touch.

Winger Joe Oastler sent over a cross from the right and Jarvis prodded in his his second goal in four games since joining the Gulls on loan from Walsall.

Kenya international Atieno took advantage of confusion in the home defence to pull back a second in the 63rd minute as nervy Hereford wobbled.

Full back Kevin Nicholson's long punt forward dropped into a crowded area and Atieno reacted first to poke in his sixth goal of the season from eight yards.

Skipper Purdie, 29, prodded in the third himself five minutes before the break and said:

"In the last couple of games we've beaten two teams who will probably go up at the end of the season. There are a lot of things that accumulate to send a side down and it's not just on ability alone. The players here certainly have enough to play in this division."

Chairman David Keyte revealed he has already offered manager Richard O'Kelly a new contract even though he was unable to save the Hereford in his twelve games in charge. 

But former Walsall coach O'Kelly said: 

"My emotions are all over the shop. I'm just thinking about what's happened to the club. I couldn't decide whether to cross the road or not at the moment. It's a sad day for the players and the football club, but I've told them to use it to get stronger and be able to handle other things that get thrown at them in the rest of their lives.""

Ryan Jarvis pulled a goal back from two yards for promotion chasing Torquay just fourteen seconds into the second period and fellow half time sub, Taiwo Atieno, added another in the 63rd minute.

But Crawley's win at Accrington means the Gulls will now face Cheltenham in the play-offs which start next weekend and manager Martin Ling said:

"We knew it was out of our hands and so we were mentally prepared. We've had scouts watching the other teams and Wembley's a very nice place to win a game of football."

And Mark Ellis, 23, revealed that the Torquay players have been knocking boss Ling around as they work themselves up for a promotion scrap. 

Ling has a black eye and is covered in grazes and central defender Ellis explained: 

"We were playing five a side in the gym and someone ran into him and knocked him flying. It was funny and he took it well, but he's not the biggest of guys and so he got a good pasting."

My clipping from Sunday's paper

My clipping from Monday's paper

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!

Bulls believe

For all those Hereford fans out there who believe you can beat the drop tomorrow afternoon, there's a great little video being hosted on Bulls News (http://bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk/) and YouTube that you should watch.

In fact, even if you aren't a Hereford supporter, it's worth a watch.

The finish line approaches

I have just heard that I will be paying a visit to Edgar Street on Saturday and I have my fingers crossed that I'll witness a great escape by the Bulls.

Hereford currently sit second from bottom of League Two with only the fixture against Torquay remaining. A win - and a defeat for Barnet who are playing at Burton - will guarantee safety. In fact even if the Bees can only manage a draw, the two teams will still swap places as Hereford have a better goal difference.

Burton seem to have got their act together which is encouraging. Gary Rowett took over as boss in mid-March and the Brewers have only lost twice in the last seven ties - then again they did let in eleven goals in those two games!

But they have shown a little fight and that's what Hereford will be banking on this weekend.

Unfortunately, visitors Torquay are still in with a good shout of automatic promotion and so have something to go for.

Bulls fans will be hoping that the Gulls' rivals for third place - Crawley and Southend - both score early goals against Accrington and already relegated Macclesfield respectively. You can bet that the news will filter down to the players - from the home support, if nowhere else!

Last weekend I watched as Walsall beat the drop and so I hope that the Hereford lads manage to make it two good news stories in one week.

Wycombe – What Now?

I was in the Bescot Stadium last Saturday watching Walsall grab a draw against Huddersfield and, at the same time, had an eye on developments at Adams Park. It was a strange afternoon.

At one point I thought that the Chairboys were going to take the relegation battle to the final game, while the Saddlers looked to be heading for their third straight defeat and some major last day nerve jangling.

I have no loyalty as a fan to either team, although when you see them on a fairly regular basis and get to know the players and managers as 'people', you do tend to develop a bit of a soft spot.

I guess that it was always going to be the case that one side or other would be relegated though and so it turned out for Gary Waddock’s team.

So what now for Waddock and Wycombe?

Fans can often be fickle and no doubt there will be some in Bucks who want to see a managerial change, but if it was down to me, I would do everything in my power to keep hold of Waddock.

To be fair to the Wycombe faithful, they aren’t as ‘knee-jerk’ as fans of many clubs and I suspect that the promotion earned last season is still fresh enough in the memory for them to stick by their man.

From the first kick of the ball last August Wycombe were always going to be up against it, but in the end they weren’t too far off survival. Waddock will have learned a lot about both himself and the players from this experience and he’s the sort of measured guy who will put those lessons to good use next season.

Gary’s biggest task will be coping with the loss of Stuart Beavon who, I suspect - like any player who is capable of scoring 25 goals in a struggling team - will have caught the eye of a few scouts.

But as usual at this time of year, numerous changes will be made and so we won’t really get a good idea of who is staying and leaving until pre-season starts.

League Two will be an interesting division next season with a number of decent teams in it expecting to be pushing for promotion.

Bristol Rovers had a horrendous start to this campaign, but Mark McGhee seems to have the Gas finishing positively and will hope that form carries over to the new term.

Oxford may yet squeak into the play-offs and win promotion, but the odds are against them and most Us’ fans are resigned to building on what they expect to be this season’s near miss.

Northampton have looked like contenders since Adie Boothroyd’s arrival and at some point soon Bradford will take advantage of their huge support  - even if the tickets are heavily discounted J.

If Plymouth has finally turned the corner and can find some financial backing, it is a massive club with a very large following that will take some stopping once it’s on a roll.

And assuming that Oxford don’t make the play-offs, only two clubs from Crawley, Torquay, Southend, Cheltenham and Crewe will go up. That leaves three other fairly decent teams for Wycombe to do battle with.

So next season won’t be a stroll for the Chairboys, but at least they have someone at the helm who has been there and done it.

Oh, and a final nod to one of the Wycombe ‘good guys’. As many people may know, Matt Bloomfield writes a column for the BBC website and his thoughts on relegation can be found here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17908763?