Bulls fall to Oldham battery

Some may argue that three wrong penalty decisions by the referee did Hereford no favours, but it has to be said not only were the Bulls outplayed by The Latics but they also contributed to their own downfall.

As early as the fourth minute, Craig Davies cut in from the left to fire a speculative shot from the angle of the box. Broadhurst was marking Lee Hughes some ten yards from goal but when Randolph spilled the ball, Hughes was the only one to move and tapped in from inside the six-yard box. Shortly after the restart, The enthusiastic Andy Williams who looked to be revelling in the chance to play as a central striker made a diagonal run before collecting a through ball and squaring for Diagouraga whose useful effort was deflected clear. Despite a difficult start, The Bulls grafted to find a way back into the game and although failing to create real opportunities the effort did give hope for the remaining part of the game. Then, on fifteen minutes came the first of two penalty errors by referee Shoebridge. As the ball was lofted over the Bulls defence, Hughes and N'Gotty chased it towards the bye-line. Hughes appeared to get a touch to the ball deflecting it away from the goal but instead of following the ball he leant into N'Gotty before collapsing to the ground. The reaction of most reasonable football fans would have been "nice try Lee...but the Ref won't buy that one". He did and awarded the softest penalty I've witnessed in fifty years of watching football. Hughes should be ashamed to call himself a professional. Andy Liddell slotted home the spot kick. Two down in fifteen minutes.

Jackson lifted a cross over the bar before both Kris Taylor and Williams saw efforts squeeze wide of the target. Hudson-Odoi drifted into the centre to fire a crisp effort from about twelve yards but appeared to be having difficulty with grip from his boots and was substituted after thirty minutes when he was replaced by Simon Johnson. On thirty-five minutes, Daniel Jones not for the first time left Jackson for dead as he cut inside to fire home a low drive from 18 yards diagonally across Randolph into the far corner of the net. A rare decision in favour of the Bulls came when Williams drew a foul from Hazel on the edge of the box. Hazel received a deserved yellow for his effort and Kris Taylor's free kick was just inches high as it clipped the crossbar before going out for a goal-kick. A penalty that wasn't, a decent goal that could have been prevented and a spilled save that was tapped in by an unmarked player!

HT Oldham 3 HUFC 0

The Bulls started the second period brightly and should have been awarded a penalty within minutes of the kick-off. Andy Williams was fed by O'Leary and turned his marker before firing for goal. The ball was palmed away by a defender but neither the ref or the adjacent linesman felt inclined to award what was a clear penalty and probable card offence. A period of ten to fifteen minutes saw United produce their best period of the game in terms of possession and passing but still the goal threats were few and far between as only occasionally did we have more than one player close enough to the opponents goal to pose any danger to the Latics defence. Williams, again, turned his marker and fired goal-ward only to see substitute 'keeper Fleming tip his effort over the bar. As the Bulls pushed forward, even Richard Rose found himself in a position to try a pop at goal. In fact, it was Rose who produced probably the best cross of the game when he checked back to leave the defender flat-footed before delivering a fine clipped cross to the far post. However, the early promise of the second half was short-lived as Oldham resumed control and United's passing movements returned to the sideways non-penetrative mode seen all too frequently this season.

To add insult to the injury of his earlier penalty misdemeanours, Referee Shoebridge then conspired to produce two cards in as many minutes to Hereford's hardworking midfielder, Stephen O’Leary. Both challenges looked fairly innocuous but the second appeared to draw a straight red from the stage-struck official. Despite being reduced to ten men, the Bulls still produced a couple of late attempts on goal and, indeed, had another clear penalty shout as the game drew to a close. A deep Kris Taylor corner was arrowing it's way towards N'Gotty's head before he was hauled to the ground by an Oldham defender when about to head at the open goal. Naturally, Shoebridge didn't see a thing. Then just before the two added minutes, Danny Whitaker fired a fourth Oldham goal from just inside the box.

Whilst a good number of decisions did not go our way, the best football and goal efforts certainly came from The Latics. Once again, poor defending was punished and although the return of Steve Guinan was a welcome boost The Bulls still look way short of what is required to survive or progress in this League. Square pegs rarely fit in round holes although one talented winger who was the only "paid for" close season signing did seem comfortable in his seat amidst the visiting Bulls fans who numbered a creditable 334 amongst the total of 5468.

Not a good day at the office Gaffer, although the sight of 4-4-2 might be a step in the right direction!

Oldham Athletic: Crossley (Fleming 46), Lomax, Hazell, Byrne, Jones, Liddell (Smalley 62), Allott, Whitaker, Taylor, Davies, Hughes (Alessandra 78). Subs Not Used: Maher, O'Grady.

Hereford United: Randolph, Jackson, Broadhurst, N'Gotty, Rose, O'Leary, Diagouraga, Taylor, Hudson-Odoi (Johnson 30), Williams, Guinan Subs Not Used: Samson, Smith, Chadwick, Beckwith.

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