WITH the football season upon us with Hereford’s opening game on Saturday at home to Spennymoor Town we look back at the talking points of a successful pre-season campaign.

Forward fire power

With bags of National League North goals between them last season Rowan Liburd and Reece Styche have hit the ground running this pre-season.

The presence of both front men was evident straight from the beginning of pre-season with Styche giving defenders a hard time on and off the ball.

Despite not scoring hoards of goals the pairing showed the makings of a partnership which will hopefully flourish in the coming weeks and months.

Mike Symons, Jordan Nicholson and new signing Bradley Ash each offer a different style of play should an opposition defence be difficult to break through.

Hereford Times: Reece Styche. Picture: Steve NiblettReece Styche. Picture: Steve Niblett

Midfield has bite

With the addition of midfielder Jacob Jagger Cane there is more bite to the Hereford midfield ahead of this season.

We saw the impact that Kieran Thomas had in the centre of the park last season with his relentless desire to win the ball.

There is set to be a selection nightmare for the Bulls management as Tom Owen-Evans will be keen to impress again along with Simeone Maye, Tommy O’Sullivan, Alex Bray and Kyle Finn all bidding for places.

Hereford Times: Jacob Jagger Cane. Picture: Steve NiblettJacob Jagger Cane. Picture: Steve Niblett

Defensive improvements

The addition of experienced defenders Jared Hodgkiss and Martin Riley seems to have improved the Bulls defensive line.

Hodgkiss looked at home in the Bulls full-back position from the moment he was introduced and has been a consistent part of the side.

Some tinkering and gelling early on in pre-season did result in defeats to Cinderford and Yeovil but it seems to have settled with solid defensive displays against Aston Villa and Wolves Under-23 sides.

Riley also showed his experience with Josh Gowling and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd showing along with Jason Pope.

Hereford Times: New signing Jared Hodgkiss. Picture: Steve Niblett/Hereford FCNew signing Jared Hodgkiss. Picture: Steve Niblett/Hereford FC

A solid goalkeeper

Brandon Hall showed why the Hereford management look to have faith in him as their only goalkeeper this season.

Hall played every minute of the final six pre-season games, after sharing the position with Brandon Powell in the opener at Wellington.

When he was called upon he more than stood up to the task.

Hereford Times: Brandon Hall. Picture: Steve Niblett/Hereford FCBrandon Hall. Picture: Steve Niblett/Hereford FC

Youth

Connor Davies-Austin, Liam Bishop and Bisensio Kamillo have all been looking to impress the Bulls’ management this pre-season alongside the already signed Rhys Davies.

Davies showed why he was given a place with some solid performances, showing some passion at times.

Bishop has also given a good account of himself with numerous goals and some really lively showings, but his future has not yet been confirmed.

Hereford Times: Liam Bishop. Picture: Steve Niblett/Hereford FCLiam Bishop. Picture: Steve Niblett/Hereford FC

Overall

An encouraging and confidence lifting pre-season with some good performances across the side.

There seems to be more depth of quality throughout the squad than last season, but they will have to prove that in the coming weeks and months.