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Hereford United were defeated in their penultimate pre-season game against Bristol Rovers this evening at Edgar Street in front of 651, including 86 from Bristol. The game ended 2-1 to the visitors with Jo Kuffour scoring them both after coming off the bench at half-time; an own goal from David Pipe salvaged some pride for United and the club will be pleased that they successfully passed the fire evacuation which took place at half-time.
Rovers threatened early on when a mis-placed pass by Ryan Green was picked up by Daryl Duffy who forced Adam Bartlett into a low save. The front pairing of Rickie Lambert and Duffy, who caused United major problems last season, linked up when Duffy chased down a Lambert flick and sent a half-volley just past the near post. Bartlett kept the scores level as half-time approached with a fine point-blank save to deny the towering head of Danny Coles whilst at the other end, a rare chance for Hereford fell to the yet again impressive Marc Pugh who skipped past his marker and struck a shot goalwards, despite Lee Morris offering, which went out for a corner after a deflection.
Rovers took the lead early in the second half when Leon Constantine was easily beaten to the ball on the half way line and it made its way to Kuffour, who skipped past the challenge of Keith Lowe before firing under the body of Bartlett and into the net. Jamie Tolley hit a long-range effort over the bar before Bartlett was again called into action with a smart save to deny a header from Byron Anthony. An intelligent pass from Morris found Pugh on the left who cut in before again seeing an effort deflect past the near post. A lifted pass over the back-line by Pugh evaded Coles and Tolley met the ball with a forward run but he couldn't get a decent connection to direct it goalwards and the ball was slid out by a defender.
United were awarded a penalty mid-way through the half when a one-two involving Constantine and Morris saw the former Burton Albion striker chase the ball in the area and his legs were clipped. He picked himself up to take the penalty but his thunderbolt of an effort rebounded off the bar. The Pirates made Hereford pay for this miss soon after with Lambert receiving a pass left of the area and his strike across the area wasn't held by sub 'keeper Chris Adamson and Kuffour tapped in an easy second. A through ball by Sam Gwynne was superbly picked up by Franck Padovani, who held his run well before crossing dangerously and defender Pipe could do nothing else but chest into his own goal. As the game drew to a close, there was last chance in Hereford's locker with Nigerian trialist Benedict Akwuegbu drilling a snapshot just over the top right hand post.
Rovers showed some good touches and retained the ball well, much like they did in the League One encounters last season. This was the only second game I have seen this pre-season and I noted a couple of things. The midfield didn't press the opposition enough and gave them far too much time whilst Constantine offered little up front. Pugh looked as though he would make something happen everytime he was on the ball and is sure to be a major threat to League Two defences this coming season. Of the trialists, Padovani and James McQuilkin showed some good touches and looked lively when appearing late on.
Hereford: Bartlett (Adamson), Green, Lowe, Rose, Valentine, Manga (Gwynne), Lunt (Jones), Tolley (McQuilkin), Pugh (Done), Constantine (Padovani), Morris (Akwuegbu).
Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Pipe, Coles (Kite), Anthony, Lescott, Lines (Blizzard), Campbell, Reece (Kuffour), Swallow (Haldane), Lambert (Williams), Duffy (Rigg).
