City 1, Hereford 0

One of the big reasons for City’s below-middling season has been the missing Michael Flynn factor.

The Bantams have lacked his presence, his larger-than-life character and the goals he can chip in with from midfield.

Well, David Syers continues to do his best to fill that scoring void.

He might not operate at the same volume levels as the mouthy Welshman but the new kid on the block continues to hit the net at an invaluable rate.

It has been a superb breakthrough campaign and shows no sign of flagging. And how grateful Peter Taylor and City will be for that.

Syers popped up with goal number six of his debut term – and the first from outside the box.

From a City throw-in, Syers took a short pass from Richard Eckersley in his stride. The intent was written all over his face.

One touch to steady and then a fire of the right foot from 25 yards out, the ball flying past a startled Adam Bartlett via the post. Not a bad way to wear in his natty new boots!

His nine-and-a-half feet could no longer fit in his original size tens which had stretched through wear. Keen to stick with the Predator brand, Syers had scoured the catalogue for replacements – and could only come up with luminous yellow and red.

With glowing boots like that, you’ve got to be pretty confident of making a quick impression. Syers had no problems on that front.

Taylor may be a bit old school for multi-coloured footwear but he can certainly appreciate the growing talent of the rookie proving to be his best Valley Parade signing.

“When we knew he was going to come on trial with us, a lot of people said he gets all different types of goals and that’s exactly what he’s been doing,” said Taylor.

“He gets them with his energy, gets them in the air, gets them everywhere. I’m really pleased with him.

“I don’t know (why other teams didn’t spot him). Sometimes in non-league, people aren’t sure about players making that jump. But in our case, it was well worth giving David that opportunity.”

Taylor has the future of seven players to chew over in the first week of January but the priority should be to lock down Syers well before his one-year first contract runs out.

You can imagine other eyes will be taking a keen interest of his progress now.

So the day ultimately belonged to a blond-haired Yorkshireman in midfield. The same could not be said of the other one returning to City for the first time in Hereford colours.

Joe Colbeck, who had talked pre-game about playing for his boyhood club again one day, tried and tried on his comeback but very little came off.

One cross set up Guillem Bauza’s header and another shot sailed over after Colbeck had switched wings to the left following an unsuccessful tussle with big buddy Luke O’Brien.

As half-time approached, he flew into a challenge or two. You sensed the personal frustration was rising.

But he still got no change from his former club and was subbed around the hour mark to an ironic chorus from the Kop.

Colbeck walked away from a lively game. City, buoyed by that seventh-minute cracker from Syers, should have put the result beyond doubt but both Tom Adeyemi, a purposeful figure in the first half, and Omar Daley wasted one-on-ones.

Daley later hit the post, two minutes after Nicky Featherstone had done the same for Hereford.

The Bulls had ruffled feathers in the first half, winning seven corners and forcing a couple of alert moments from Lenny Pidgeley.

But it was after the break – and Colbeck’s departure – that they really began to rattle the home side. As French targetman Mathieu Manset threw his weight around, an air of uncertainty enveloped the amber shirts.

The last 20 minutes was spent almost exclusively heading towards the Bradford End which City were defending frantically at times.

Lee Hendrie did not take too kindly to being sacrificed, though his petulant reaction was hardly of the Balotelli variety.

Taylor had no problem with the skipper’s frustration,” saying: “I wanted some fresh legs on there to help us out defensively.

“Lee had worked really hard in a couple of positions and I just felt as though Hereford were having more of the ball than us. Lee’s a top professional so I understand how he feels.”

The City chief was not so happy with the all-round performance in the second period. What should have been a routine victory, given such an early goal, became a hard, twitchy struggle. The final whistle was greeted with general relief.

Three points were in the can to kick off a potential season-defining three weeks. Put it down to a bit of rustiness from inactivity maybe but City will have to improve against the likes of in-form Crewe, Chesterfield and Bury.

Taylor admitted: “Hereford were miles better than us second half. It was a frustrating half.

“The football Hereford played shows what a good league we’re in if they’re bottom of the table. It just showed why every match is a tough one.

“That’s where you have to get that second goal. While it’s 1-0, it’s still a very close situation.

“All the boys know they can do a lot better. It’s just little disciplines that I know we can improve on.”

Attendance: 10,460