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Hereford United's second half performance earnt them a deserved 2-2 draw at Grays Athletic this afternoon, having been two down at the interval. The sides, both hoping for at least a place in the play-offs by the end of the season, had met at Edgar Street earlier in the season when Grays were 2-0 victors and will meet again at Edgar Street in a weeks time in the F.A. Trophy.
Graham Turner started with new loan signing Nicky Nicolau on the left wing and with Rob Purdie in the centre of the midfield alongside Andy Ferrell. Craig Stanley was dropped to the bench and Jamie Pitman missed out through injury. Adam Stansfield recovered from a knock that kept him out of the LDV game in midweek and so Danny Carey-Bertram made way and Wayne Brown regained his spot in goal at the expense of Craig Mawson. Stacy Caldicott warmed up with the team but did not make the team sheet.
An entertaining opening to the half provided very little in goalscoring opportunities for either side, as both went looking for an early lead. Aaron McLean, infamous with Hereford supporters, forced Brown into his first save of the afternoon when he shot on the turn following a corner before Simon Travis had to be alert to get a block on Gary Hooper's shot, as he controlled well in the box. Alex Jeannin almost handed a goal to The Blues as he conceded possession to John Martin, but the strikers shot was saved. Moments previously, Guy Ipoua had been felled and with just 25 minutes gone was replaced by Carey-Bertram.
Three minutes later, The Bulls found themselves behind but will not be happy with the linesman, as there was a big question of offside in the build up. Michael Kightly spread the ball to the right flank where Hooper, who looked to be at least a yard ahead of the defence, cut the ball back from the by-line for McLean who netted, despite the attempt of Travis on the line. McLean then went over to the travelling army of around 350 (in a crowd of 1,528) and threw himself on the ground in celebration.
United responded well and created their first attempts on goal but could not get the equaliser. Nicolau found Stansfield who played the ball back into the box to his strike-partner Carey-Bertram who turned well before firing beyond Ashley Bayes in the Grays goal, but McLean was on the line to clear. The ball fell back to Carey-Bertram but he shot poorly straight at the grateful Bayes. To make matters worse, the hosts doubled their advantage minutes later. Again, United may feel a bit agreived at the manner of the goal as Dean Beckwith was harsley adjudged to have fouled on the edge of the box and was carded as a result. A rehearsed free kick was put into practice and Stuart Thurgood, instrumental throughout, placed delicately into the bottom corner. The ball didn't carry much pace by Brown, who appeared to go for the ball and then stop, couldn't reach it as it crept into the corner of the net. So United, for the second game in a row, were two down at the break.
The Bulls came out for the second half with renewed belief and pegged Grays back from the start, although again they didn't create much in the way of goalscoring opportunities. Purdie was brimming with effort and was very effective in the centre midfield role. He was obviously far happier there than on the left wing where he's found himself for the most part of the season. Ferrell had blazed over as United continued to pressure in a rare effort at goal and Stansfield headed harmlessley onto the roof of the net before Travis almost put the game on a plate for the hosts. His header, intended for Brown, was played directly in the path of Hooper, but the youngster blasted over when one on one.
And four minutes later, United made Hooper pay for his miss. Following a corner, Beckwith received the ball in the midfield area and toed a pass down the left to Jeannin. He delivered an inch perfect cross into the area, where Mkandawire, still up from the corner, came out of nowhere and smashed a stunning header into the top corner of the net.
Grays went close to re-instating their two goal lead a minute after but Brown denied Martin and with nine minutes remaining The Bulls levelled things up. Jeannin was again the provider, this time from a corner on the right, and it was Beckwith who met it with another good header that flew beyond the reach of Bayes. Purdie almost set up Andy Williams for a winner, when Williams turned his man in the box but saw his quick-fire effort saved by Bayes while a goalmouth scramble in injury time almost handed the match to the hosts, but Brown held onto the ball well.
All in all, it was a good result for Hereford having been 2-0 down at half time. A draw would probably have been deemed a good result at the start of the day and so it was quite pleasing in the end. The second half performance was again delightful from United, but the first half showing may not have been as pleasing. The severe lack of chances is something that must be looked at. However, if United can put in two "second half" performances against Cambridge on Tuesday, then they have a chance of moving into second place in the league.
HUFC: Brown, Travis, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Jeannin, Nicolau, Purdie, Ferrell, Williams, Stansfield, Ipoua. Subs: James, Mawson, Green, Stanley, Carey-Bertram.
GAFC: Bayes, Sambrook, Edwards, Hanson, Johnson, Kightly, Hooper, Thurgood, Martin, Battersby, McLean. Subs: Eyre, Nutter, Mawer, Slabber, Oli.
