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Hereford United drew 0-0 in a friendly at Caersws this evening. The Bulls fielded a fringe side which included non-contract signing Simon Osborn, and two trialists, Carl Nicks being one of them and Daryl Wighton the other. Karl Lewis started in goal for Hereford, whilst Phil Gulliver and Martyn Giles were the only two players to start who played against Chester on Saturday.
Former Bull Graham Evans lined up for the home side which contained another ex-Bull young Adam Worton, and Evans nearly gave Caersws the lead with an excellent lob, but the ball landed just past Lewis's post. At the other end, Alan Connell, who lead the Bulls attack with Gareth Sheldon, headed just wide from a Nicks cross. The Caersws left back attacked in the first half with decent effect, and forced Lewis into a fine save when he powered a shot from 25 yards at the goalie. From the resulting corner, a header looped over the top. Stand in captain Alex Jeannin fired a free-kick over the bar in what was a poor first half, with few chances at either end.
Tamika Mkandawire, Dean Beckwith, Sam Gwynne and Andy Williams were all introduced at half time in place of Gulliver, Giles, the trialist number 31, and Sheldon. Lewis made a decent save early in the half, blocking at the feet of the young Caersws foward before making a fantastic save to stop a header from number 8 from the corner that followed the earlier chance.
Then worrying news for Hereford fans as Mkandawire was subbed off, shortly after coming on, with an injury -possibly hamstring. Richard Rose replaced him. Hereford's best chance of the evening fell to Williams, good work from Connell set up Williams and despite an excellent effort with a lob, the ball narrowly missed the crossbar and went over.
Connell thought he had opened the scoring in the 74th minute, after good play from Jon Wallis down the right, Connell slid the ball home but the play was bought back for a controversial offside decision. Soon after, both Connell and Wallis were subbed off, with Stuart Fleetwood and Rob Purdie introduced. United once again, offered little up front in the closing stages but the solid performances of Trent McClenahan at right back and Simon Osborn in midfield were positives to take from the game. The latter, looking strong in the tackle and very comfortable in possession, playing some good passes throughout the game.
Simon Osborn and Carl Nicks with Martyn Giles behind at tonight's game.
Andy Ferrell played the final 10 minutes, after trialist Carl Nicks picked up a slight knock, as did Glyn Thompson, making his first appearence for the side, replacing Karl Lewis. The former Shrewsbury stopper made a decent save, pushing away a cross/shot from the winger but he was unable to take the goal-kicks, possibily because of his thigh injury.
Around 30 Hereford fans made the trip into Mid Wales.
HUFC: Lewis, McClenahan, Gulliver, Giles, Jeannin, Wallis, Osborn, Trialist Number 31, Nicks, Sheldon, Connell
