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Hereford United drew for the second time at home after a 1-1 draw with Rochdale. The visitors, pointless before today's encounter, took the lead mid-way through the first half through a Chris Dagnall penalty, but United's Theo Robinson netted his second goal in as many games to equalise soon after. Despite a flurry of chances in the second half, Hereford couldn't find the all important winner, but take a point.
The line-up remained unchanged from Barnet last Saturday; Luke Webb however was preferred to Sam Gwynne on the subs bench. Rochdale's side included former Morecambe midfielder David Perkins, and tall striker Glenn Murray, who impressed towards the end of last season for Keith Hill's men.
It was Murray who went close early on with a trademark header going over the bar, before Trevor Benjamin's control let him down when in the six yard box after a Ben Smith header. It soon became apparent that the referee was giving the game little chance to flow, and he awarded Rochdale a soft penalty. Karl Broadhurst was the "guilty" party, adjudged to have pulled back Chris Dagnall. The former Tranmere striker stepped up from the spot to send Wayne Brown the wrong way, and likewise Barnet last week, put The Bulls behind. Hereford responded instantly though, with a shot from Robinson tipped away by James Spencer, before a follow up effort from Richard Rose was pushed away for a corner by Spencer once again.
An ambitious Murray effort was far over the bar, before just five minutes after the opener for Dale, United equalised. Ainsworth sent a looping ball in behind the Rochdale back-line and Robinson used his pace to gain a yard on the defender. The chance wasn't easy though, but Robinson managed to gain control of the ball before firing powerfully past Spencer into the far corner. The goal lifted Hereford, with Lionel Ainsworth getting involved. A curling free-kick from the ex Derby youngster went inches wide, before a neat flick minutes later set up Robinson, but the loanee couldn't double his tally for the day, as his fierce half volley was deflected over the bar. Just before half time, Trevor Benjamin headed straight at Spencer before Rose nearly struck his second shot of the day, again going close with a 25 yard left foot shot.
John McCombe was handed his United debut in place of captain Karl Broadhurst during the break, but the second half offered little compared to the first half, with the heat taking its toll on the players throughout. The Bulls started well, with Clint Easton crossing for Ainsworth to fire a half volley close. The best chance of the half fell to Benjamin; Easton won a header on the edge of the box, and Benjamin used his power to twist and shoot. Rochdale goalie Spencer knew little about the shot though, as it rebounded off his legs and out for a corner. After that the game calmed, with half chances from Toumani Diagouraga and Trent McClenahan failing to trouble Spencer.
Steve Guinan and Kris Taylor were introduced in place of Benjamin and Ben Smith, but both failed to make an impact on the game. Rochdale also looked to spice things up with Lee Crooks taking the place of Gary Jones, and Adam Le Fondre coming on for Rory Prendergast. Despite much possesion for United, they failed to muster up any decent opportunities despite Ainsworth looking dangerous. Just before the 90 minutes were up, Rochdale were reduced to ten men, perhaps slightly harshly, when Perkins was booked for the second time after a block on McClenahan. In stoppage time, Ainsworth burst down the right wing, and crossed low, but a scramble at the near post failed to result in a shot, and the ball was cleared. Goalscorer Dagnall was subbed off with Adam Rundle coming on, as Rochdale wasted a few more seconds; soon after, the ref blew his whistle for full time.
Rochdale were tipped by quite a few to make a decent impact on the league this season, and the point for United will be viewed by many as a good result. However, looking back, The Bulls will be dissapointed not to have gained all three points as they had by far the better chances, with Dale failing to make an impact on goal in the second period. Watched by 2732 fans, with a total of 257 from Rochdale, the majority of which will be heading off Birmingham in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, before United return to league action against old rivals Wrexham at The Racecourse.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Rose, Broadhurst, Beckwith, Ainsworth, Easton, Diagouraga, Smith, Bejamin, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, McCombe, Taylor, Webb, Guinan.
Rochdale: Spencer, Ramsden, McArdle, Branson, Kennedy, Doolan, Jones, Perkins, Prendergat, Murray, Dagnall.
Subs: Russell, Crooks, Rundle, Muirhead, Le Fondre.
