.jpg)
Hereford United fell to their first league defeat this season, and are still without a win at home after a narrow loss against unbeaten Macclesfield. Despite a host of chances for The Bulls, they failed to take these and were punished as a late Francis Green effort proved decisive and handed the Cheshire side the points.
Trent McClenahan was unavailable due to international duty, and Ben Smith returned to the starting line up as Graham Turner tinkered with the line-up. Richard Rose played at right back instead of his usual left back, with Kris Taylor being pulled back to this position. Steve Guinan was preferred up front to Trevor Benjamin despite Benjamin's goal at Wrexham last weekend. Lining up for Macclesfield was ex-Bull Danny Thomas who started on left wing.
United created the first chance of the game extremely early on when a Rose cross from the right eluded the away defence but Guinan headed straight at Macclesfield keeper Tommy Lee. Then Thomas for Macclesfield struck an effort over, before Lionel Ainsworth also tried his luck with little effect. However, minutes later Ainsworth created a superb opening for Guinan, again it was a cross from the right for the veteran striker but Guinan, despite being in plenty of space and having a good amount of time, could only head wide of the post when it looked just as easy to score. Theo Robinson's burst from a Clint Easton pass resulted in a corner after a Robinson shot was blocked, before Adam Murray's volley was held by Wayne Brown.
Macclesfield's best chance of the half came in their best spell of the game when Martin Gritton powerfully got past both Dean Beckwith and Rose, before shooting hard and low; Brown managed to save the ball with his legs and the ball went out for a corner. Minutes later, Thomas leapt to meet a Carl Regen cross and forced Brown to tip the ball over after a looping header. The last chance of the first period fell to Hereford, and Easton. He linked up with Guinan and continued his run into the box to meet the return pass but scuffed his shot and it trickled through to Lee in the Macclesfield goal.
The second half started quickly with Easton firing a long range effort over, but it was Macclesfield who looked lively. Gritton caused problems in the box with a downwards header, and it fell to the unmarked Terry Dunfield in acres of space. Perhaps he had too much time, because Dunfield, from close range blazed over from six yards, when it looked far easier to score. A few moments after, Levi Reid powerfully drove a shot from the edge of the area forcing Brown into a good save low down. Guinan then forced Lee into a good save at the Meadow End, after a flicked pass through by Easton. Ainsworth grew into the game as the half progressed and a tricky run inwards, then outwards resulted in the winger firing a powerful cross/shot inches wide of goal, although any touch from an attacker would have surely taken the ball in. Gritton, who impressed with his strength and holding up ability, headed straight at Brown after a Murray cross from the left.
A quick throw-in from Rose, saw him given the return pass from Ainsworth and cross for Guinan to flick a header, but Lee dived to his right to catch the ball. A change was needed for The Bulls, and Benjamin was introduced at the expense of Robinson. A harsh free-kick against Beckwith was struck just wide of Brown's post from Murray. Thomas, who looked lively with his quick feet, was anxious to grab a goal against his former employers and went close with a fierce drive after a Green lay-off; Brown, however, held it well. More changes were introduced with Luke Webb making his first league appearence this season, replacing Smith, whilst Macclesfield bought on David Morley to cope with Benjamin's prescence, with Regan making way.
Soon after the changes came to the defining moment of the game. The ball broke loose in midfield, and Macclesfield counter-attacked. Gritton picked the ball up and fed a neat ball through to the pacey Green and the former Boston man shrugged off a challenge from Karl Broadhurst before tucking the ball past Brown and giving the away side a narrow lead. The Bulls responded soon after with Ainsworth trying his best to bring the scores level. Firstly, his shot was deflected over, before he crossed in for Benjamin, to give United their best chance of equalising. Benjamin managed to get the ball under control, but from close range, could only shoot at Lee after failing to find the power in the shot. Ainsworth then fired a free-kick into the arms of Lee, before Macclesfield made two more changes to eat some up of the remaining time. Jordan Hadfield replaced James McNulty, and Gareth Evans came on in place of Gritton. In the final minute, Guinan won a free-kick 25 yards out, but Easton's effort went over, and with that, so did United's hopes of equalising.
The result saw Hereford's first major set-back against a side, who they surely would have fancied the three points against. Macclesfield though, looked a decent outfit, with a good mixture of pace and power up front with the striking duo of Gritton and Green. 2725 fans were present at Edgar Street, with 170 making the journey south from Macclesfield, and they saw The Bulls have plenty of chances, but like the other home games this season, they failed to take them and leave frustrated once again. Next week sees United visit Morecambe; the last time the teams met was in the play-off semi final which, of course, Hereford won. Let's hope for some points next week.
Hereford: Brown, Rose, Taylor, Broadhurst, Beckwith, Ainsworth, Easton, Diagouraga, Smith, Guinan, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, McCombe, Webb, Gwynne, Benjamin.
Macclesfield: Lee, Edghill, Regan, McNulty, McIntyre, Reid, Thomas, Dunfield, Murray, Gritton, Reid.
Subs: Brain, Morley, Wiles, Hadfield, Evans.
