Bulls Blitzed at Bristol

I'll warn you now, this ain't nice but you can only tell it as you see it.

Following back to back defeats against what many considered to be poor Orient and Yeovil sides, The Bulls were completely destroyed today by a half decent Rovers outfit. If the warning bells were audible in the distance before kick-off, they were certainly almost deafeningly in full chime by six minutes past three.

Surprisingly, Turner named the same starting XI as he did against Yeovil and it wasn't long before the same frailties were exposed. Just two minutes into the game, a forward ball that was no more than a hopeful punt eluded the normally composed Beckwith and Duffy strode forward to finish passed the stranded Sampson. Less than three minutes later it was two. Former Rochdale striker Ricky Lambert received the ball unchallenged about 35 diagonal yards from the left of the goal. He had time to turn, make ten yards, look up and send a curling effort to the right and over Sampson. Whilst it has to be said that the execution was good, he should never have been allowed the time and space that he had. They say that Dame Fortune favours the brave but the good lady was best described as charitable when Duffy struck the foot of the post on the eighth minute. For The Bulls, Diagouraga struck a decent shot at Pirates stopper Philips before both Guinan and Threlfall had crosses collected by Philips.

Hereford managed a short period of competing in the game although the threat on the Bristol goal was minimal as Guinans efforts to create space appear to be wasted on a lack-lustre Ashikodi. On 22 minutes, the game was effectively over as a contest when Duffy stabbed his second past Sampson from 15 yards. Again, there was a lack of closing down in a critical area. Readers will be excused for thinking that Bristol were running riot and having a much greater share of the ball. The stark fact is that they weren't...they just did simple things well, made space and finished. The difference was emphasised when the hard working Guinan worked an opening, which seemed to completely avoid the attention of co-striker Ashikodi. Oji needlessly got himself into the Ref's book when he kicked the ball away after being penalised before Ben Smith tested Philips from the edge of the box. As half-time approached, Guinan once again showed good example by chasing down a ball to exert pressure on the Rovers back line.

HT Rovers 3 HUFC 0

The start of the second period saw the introduction Bradley Hudson-Odoi in place of the ineffective Ashikodi. However, any hopes of salvaging something from the fixture were almost immediately dashed Jeff Hughes cut into the box from the left to fire into the net. Terrace frustration was increasing as decent central midfield play all too frequently got frittered away by the wide attackers. Johnson, in particular, seemed guilty of running into opposition defenders or miss-placing his passes while Easton was simply beaten for pace. Ben Smith and HUFC man of the match Diagouraga did work tirelessly but must be frustrated by the lack of quality around them. With visiting Bulls fans, by this time, resorting to half hearted comedy chant attempts; Turner made a belated double substitution with just over fifteen minutes remaining when Matty Done and Jack MacLeod replaced a flagging Easton and the frustrating Johnson. Hudson-Odoi, meanwhile, was proving far more of a handful up top and forced a corner which MacLeod crossed for Beckwith to head goalward. Unfortunately, his effort was blocked on the goal-line by a defender. At the other end, a clumsy challenge was penalised and Lambert curled the resultant free kick around the wall and passed Sampson to put The Gas on five. With just three minutes of normal time left, Rose conceded another free kick and this time Chris Lines stepped forward to rifle home from 30 yards. The visitors terrace responded with a rousing chorus of "Turner, Turner what’s the score" while The Gaffer simply scratched his head. The late introduction of Done had provided some much lacking penetration and it was from his left flank that a ball arrived in the danger area to enable Steve Guinan to poke home a consolation goal with just a minute of time left.

FT Rovers 6 HUFC 1

After three defeats from three League games, it's becoming all too clear that the squad simply ain't good enough. More worrying is form of one or two players of whom better is expected and it is hoped that a few urgently needed additions will help rekindle the form and reliability of last season.

Attendance 6735 (588 Bulls)

Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Pipe, Anthony, Elliot, Lescott, Lines, Campbell, Disley, Hughes, Lambert, Duffy.
Subs: Hinton, Williams, Green, Hunt, Rigg.

Hereford United: Samson, Rose, Beckwith, Oji, Threlfall, Johnson, Diagouraga, Smith, Easton, Ashikodi, Guinan.
Subs: Randolph, Hudson-Odoi, Taylor, MacLeod, Done.

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