NEXT HOME GAME - TBC
NEXT AWAY GAME - SUPPORTERS XI ARE PLAYING WORCESTER AT MALVERN ON SUNDAY AUGUST 3rd AT 3.00pm

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Seagulls held by Battling Bulls

Hereford United gained a credible point at the Withdean Stadium this afternoon against Brighton and Hove Albion. Glenn Murray went close for Brighton in the first-half, whilst Hereford's Kris Taylor had the away side's best chance in the second-half with a free-kick in front of 5608 supporters.

Suspension to Stephen O'Leary allowed Clint Easton to take his place in midfield, with Kris Taylor slotting into the middle alongside Toumani Diagouraga. Surprisingly, Sam Gwynne was also included with Bradley Hudson-Odoi demoted to the bench. The hosts named former Welsh international Robbie Savage in their starting eleven, whilst former Bulls' loanee Joe Anyinsah started on the right-wing.

Brighton had the better of the early exchanges, with a long-ball forward sitting up nicely for Dean Cox who struck a half-volley goalwards, but Darren Randolph held with ease. At the other end, Richard Rose found himself well forward and tried his luck, with his shot deflecting over. A cross from the left by Cox saw Murray's deft touch fall wide before the former Carlisle and Rochdale man should have opened his account for the day. Rose misplaced a header and Murray pounced running in on goal, but his shot across Randolph was pushed past the far post by the Irish 'keeper. Andy Williams neat touch and shot from Richard Jackson's throw-in called home goalie Michael Kuipers into action, holding onto the ball well. Cox and Matthew Richards were both denied by Randolph after shots from the edge of the box, whilst Rose struck from long-range, but again failed to trouble Kuipers.

The Bulls started the second-half well with Gwynne finding space 25 yards before tamely shooting goalwards, but Kuipers saved easily. Good work down the right-hand side from Steve Guinan saw him cross into the box; the ball was cleared but only as far as Taylor who tried his luck with an acrobatical effort which fell wide of Kuiper's post. Kevin Thornton and Kevin McLeod were introduced in place of Cox and right-back Andrew Whing as the home side looked to increase the productivity in the final third. Instead though, it was Hereford who continued to threaten. Kris Taylor had two free-kicks in dangerous positions; the first saw a curling effort from the left fall over the bar, before minutes later, from the other side, Taylor forced Kuipers to tip over his effort from 20 yards. Karl Broadhurst headed over from an Easton corner after rising well in the area, with the former Bournemouth man perhaps feeling he could have done better with the chance.

Anyinsah used his pace and skill to beat Bruno N'Gotty before shooting wildly into the Withdean wilderness, whilst soon after, he had a penalty appeal turned down. The Preston loanee tried to meet a Thornton low cross but he went down after tussling with N'Gotty; strong appeals were heard from the home crowd but the referee waved played on. Nick Chadwick and Hudson-Odoi were bought on to replace striking duo Williams and Guinan, and both were involved as Hereford squandered a fine chance to nick the points. A short back-pass was only just dealt with bu Kuipers under pressure from Hudson-Odoi, and the ball fell to Chadwick, but the former Everton youngster saw a shot blocked as did Easton who tried his luck on the rebound. In the final moments, Brighton rallied but to little avail with two efforts from Thornton straight at Randolph.

A draw seems the fair result, although reflecting on the game Hereford may be slightly disappointed not to have snatched the points. Easton looked assured on the left-hand side, serving his defensive duties well whilst Williams looked a menace up front with some neat touches and runs. The clean sheet will be welcomed, but the problem appears to be up front, with Hereford failing to score from open play in the league since September 5th, when Hudson-Odoi scored against Swindon. Next up for The Bulls is a home match against Carlisle on Tuesday.

Hereford: Randolph, Jackson, Broadhurst, N'Gotty, Rose, Gwynne, Diagouraga, Taylor, Easton, Guinan, Williams.

Subs: Samson, Beckwith, Smith, Hudson-Odoi, Chadwick.

Brighton: Kuipers, Whing, El-Abd, Hawkins, Richards, Cox, Savage, Thomson, Anyinsah, Virgo, Murray.

Subs: Fraser, Robinson, Livermore, Thornton, McLeod.