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Hereford United drew 3-3 with Cheltenham Town this afternoon in an entertaining match at Edgar Street. The Bulls made a flying start to the game, taking a three goal lead in little over twenty minutes but a spirited come back by the away side saw the game end in a draw.
United started with a strong eleven, perhaps the side that Turner will put out next week against Stockport, apart from Dean Beckwith who was absent due to injury. A debut was handed to recent signing Martyn Giles at left back, whilst Tim Sills partnered Stuart Fleetwood up front. Andy Williams started on the right wing and Richard Rose deputised at centre back for the injured Beckwith. Another new signing Trent McClenahan was on the bench, along with trialists Luke Webb and Neil Marsello.
After a poor showing at Forest Green, fans could of thought that it was a completely different side as United made an excellent start to the game. Gareth Sheldon's long throw was met by instant control from Fleetwood, who turned and volleyed home with a left foot shot from close range. Nine minutes in and Fleetwood grabbed his second of the day. Sheldon worked hard to win a tackle before Fleetwood took control of the ball. Combining well with Sills after a neat one-two, Fleetwood found himself through on goal and neatly placed the ball past Robins 'keeper Shane Higgs.
Former Bull Steve Guinan went close to pulling one back, but his left foot volley was cleared off the line by Rob Purdie. Minutes later, Hereford made it three. Sheldon was involved once again, taking a deep free-kick. The ball looked to have been heading out but Williams managed to nod it back to Sills, who headed home from close range to make it three.
Sills heads the third goal - Picture by Andy Compton of the Hereford Journal
Williams could of made it four when he blasted over after Sills deflected effort had fallen to the local lad.
Cheltenham fought back in the latter stages of the half and went close on a number of occasions through set-pieces before grabbing a goal back shortly before half time. A corner was whipped in and although there looked to be little danger, Sheldon's header deflected off the unfortunate Giles and into Brown's net.
Half time saw Hereford introduce McClenahan and Marcello in the places of Fleetwood and Sheldon. Marcello is a left midfield whilst McClenahan slotted in at right back with Travis pushing forward. Yet it was the Cheltenham sub, Kayode Odejayi who went close. Brown came out to meet the big striker yet the Cheltenham man tried a lob which went harmlessly wide. A minute later, it was Marcello who had a decent effort on goal, an excellent first touch helped him make space for a fierce drive which Higgs plucked out of the air. Alan Connell and Webb were then subbed on for Tim Sills and Rob Purdie as United looked to brighten up their attacking options.
Neat play in the middle of the park by the away side, created a good opportunity for an attacking player, the shot was tipped out by Brown but it fell to Guinan whos shot was also blocked. Two minutes later, Guinan was involved again and this time he won a penalty. Giles was the unlucky man again, judged to have bought down Guinan, Grant McCann took the spot-kick and easily slotted home. The substitutes made once again seemed to have distracted Hereford's play, and Cheltenham were looking increasingly likely that they would equalise. A scramble in the area nearly resulted in a goal but for Mkandawire's quick thinking to boot out for a corner.
Jon Wallis and Sam Gwynne came on for Simon Travis and Andy Ferrell. Travis had picked up a slight knock after a decent run down the left. With little time remaining on the clock, Cheltenham grabbed an equaliser. Brown was penalised after pulling down Odejayi and it was McCann again who sent Brown the wrong way to equalise in the 90th minute.
It was a much improved performance by Hereford, especially in the first half where some crisp football resulted in some decent goals. Fleetwood looked a danger throughout, linking up well with Sills. Bulls fans can now look forward to the game at Stockport with renewed hope after the poor showing at Forest Green last Tuesday evening.
HUFC: Brown, Travis, Giles, Rose, Mkandawire, Ferrell, Purdie, Williams, Sheldon, Sills, Fleetwood.
Subs: Lewis, McClenahan, Wallis, Gwynne, Jeannin, Webb, Marsello, Connell.
