HEREFORD Head Coach Marc Richards said that the strike partnership between Rowan Liburd and Reece Styche is a ‘working progress’.

Styche, who arrived in the summer, netted in tonight’s 2-2 draw with Cheltenham Town and also hit the post.

“I thought it was coming on,” said Richards.

“I thought there was little glimpses at the weekend but there was again good understanding there and a couple of times good combination play.

“So it’s working progress but we’re getting there.”

Speaking about Styche’s effort that hit the post, Richards added: “It was a superb shot from 35 yards at the angle and as I walked I was saying it was like Roberto Carlos but with the wrong foot.

“He struck that one well and I’ve just maybe we need to tell the referee we employ to have an argument with him before we go out as he seems to get the bit between his teeth once he has had an argument with the referee.

“We are obviously going to have to control him there but you saw what he can give. He started to have a bit of swagger really in how he played and I think he ran himself into the ground by the time I took him off after 70 minutes.

Richards was pleased with the Bulls’ second half performance which saw them come back into the game with defender Jordan Cullinane-Liburd scoring the equaliser.

Richards added: “First half we weren’t where we needed to be but in the second half I was really pleased and that’s the best 45 (minutes) we have put together in pre-season so far.

“It feels like the lads are starting to get what we are working on. It was nice to see a friendly game which was a really competitive match with tackles was flying in.

“We need to make sure we’re playing to our players’ strengths and you look at what we’ve got in front of the defence.

“If we can keep everybody fit then there will be competition all over the park.”