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Out-played is probably the best term to describe Hereford United's performance against Barnet this afternoon at Underhill. Barnet who, until this afternoon was over, hadn't notched up a league point all season, were superior to their counterparts all over the field, and some of Hereford's weaknesses were highlighted throughout.
United were unchanged from the side that started against Chester last week, although there was a place for new signing Simon Osbourn on the bench. He came on late on and made a good impression in the midfield, always making himself available for the ball and making some decent passes - something that's been desperately lacking throughout this season to date.
There was a familiar feeling to the team as well within just five minutes, as mistakes were made in midfield and opportunities easy to come by for the opposition. Andy Ferrell was to blame as he lost out to Tresor Kandal, but the attacker fired over. Tim Sills was busy in The Bulls attack, flicking on a throw in for Rob Purdie, but his header was easily caught by Lee Harrison. Sills was then quickly onto a back pass, and blocked Harrison's clearance, but the 'keeper managed to get a hand up and prevent an opening goal.
Sills then managed to involve his strike partner Stuart Fleetwood, who looked dangerous as ever, but, having beaten Anthony Charles, the young striker was denied by a low save. The Bees then struck following a decent move, although some blame may be laid with Phil Gulliver. The big centre half left his post at the back to close down his man, leaving a large gap for a smart ball around the corner for Giuliano Grazioli, who tucked a neat shot inside the far post.
Purdie's free kick from a tight angle fell to Sills in the box, but he hooked an effort wide before Dean Sinclair hit the first of many efforts from outside of the box wide of the target. This highlighted a problem in the United midfield, that they're giving the opposition far too much time on the ball, and they were made to pay for this later on. Before the interval Purdie injected a burst of pace into United's game, as he began and finished a move with Sills, but his shot was off target from twenty yards.
Hereford came out attacking in the second half and Sills and Fleetwood linked up again to allow the latter a run in on goal. However, Harrison was again on hand to keep his clean sheet in tact as he palmed away Fleetwood's effort. It fell back to Fleetwood, who chipped into the far post, where Sills nodded back again to Richard Rose, but was adjudged to have fouled his man, before Rose volleyed into the back of the net.
Ian Hendon delivered a wicked cross to the far post where Grazioli diverted it wide in a Barnet back-lash, while at the other end Andy Williams came close to picking out Fleetwood, who'd stretched beyond the last man, but couldn't quite meet the cross. Jason Puncheon whistled an effort over Scott Tynan's bar before Nicky Bailey doubled the lead just after the hour mark. Having been allowed to run from the right, straight across the edge of the box unchallenged, he found a space to fire into the far bottom corner as Hereford defenders stood watching.
Barnet's attacks came thick and fast after the second, and a third goal seemed inevitable. Bailey was again on the move and squared to a team mate in area, though stand-in skipper Dean Beckwith cleared off the line, before Kandal almost netted with a powerful header. United changed things around after seventy one minutes, with the impressive Osbourne coming on with Trent McClenahan, in place of Ferrell and Rose. The introduction of Alan Connell didn't follow too long after, either. Phil Gulliver made way, and Graham Turner switched to a 3-5-2.
Between the changes Simon Travis had received a pass from Sills, and spread it to Williams, now on the left flank, who got in behind the defence, but Harrison got the better of his opposition once again. At the other end, Kandal had fought off Beckwith before dragging wide, but United conceded a third in injury time, and it was typical of their performance as a whole. Puncheon received the ball twenty five yards from goal, and was allowed far too much time to take a touch, look up, and pick his spot (the top corner of the Hereford goal) before a defender came anywhere near him.
This may be a harsh wake up call for Hereford, but it is one that is probably needed, and provided they react in the correct way, it could be used positively. The deficits of the team were there for everyone to see (all 600 or so Hereford fans in a crowd of 1,945), and hopefully some of the wrongs will be put right by next weekend. The league cup fixture against Coventry on Tuesday could be used for Turner to try out a couple of new things. Maybe McClenahan will be given a start at right back and Travis at right midfield. It'd also be nice to test out a central midfield pairing of Osbourne and Rose.
BFC: Harrison, Hendon, Charles, King, Nicolau, Cogan, Bailey, Sinclair, Puncheon, Kandol, Grazioli. Subs: Flitney, Warhurst, Hatch, Graham, Vieira.
