Bulls turn tide on Seasiders

Hereford United ran out thoroughly deserved winners in tonight’s Edgar Street encounter with table topping Bournemouth. Marc Pugh notched a brace with Fletcher replying as the home side produced arguably their best performance of season to outplay the frontrunners.

Manager Trewick largely retained faith in the team that had lost at Rochdale with the only change being the inclusion of Keith Lowe to replace the suspended Ryan Green at right back.

The South-Coasters kicked off attacking the Meadowend and showed their early intent with a series of lofted balls towards the giant but clumbersome Fletcher. An early cross from the fleet-footed Liam Feeley was dealt with by Lowe who chested back to Bartlett while at the other end; James Walker’s effort missed the target to the left. Another Feeley cross was met by a Brett Pitman header but again it sailed wide of Bartlett’s goal. Ten minutes into the game, The Bulls produced the best of the game so far instigated by Kenny Lunt who fed Pugh. The dangerous winger played a one-two with James Walker before testing Shwan Jalal in the visitor’s goal with an on target shot. Bournemouth’s direct play was more than matched by Hereford’s more scientific approach as The Bulls started to show signs of what was to come. Deputising fullback Lowe sent searching ball forward to the marauding Walker forcing a hacked clearance as loanee Craig King worked tirelessly to create options and space. Marc Pugh received the ball from Valentine deep in his own half and set off on a mazy run, which ended with an effort that was beaten away by Jalal.

Meanwhile, a flicked header from Fletcher found Pitman just 10 yards from goal but the striker blazed over as Bartlett was quickly out to narrow the angle. Lunt delivered a telling free kick into the box, which Marshall hit just over the bar before The Cherries broke down the right. Feeley fed Pitman who had drifted wide but Ryan Valentine’s swift challenge cleared the threat although he collected a viscous elbow in the mouth which went unnoticed despite the assistant being just 15 yards from the incident. As the first period drew to a close, a Marshall/Walker combination produced another on target attempt as The Bulls finished the far superior outfit.

HT HUFC 0 Bournemouth 0

With the second period having been the downfall in recent games, the remaining 45 minutes was to provide some of the best football seen from the home side this season. Marc Pugh skipped passed his marker to deliver a low cross that was fractionally too close to Jalal as Walker closed on goal. Shortly afterwards, Hereford took the lead. The industrious Craig King picked up the ball wide on the halfway line and covered fully 35 yards leaving players in his wake before slipping it through to Pugh who’s cross shot found the net passed the floundering Jalal.

Craig King was running riot with his all-action style providing much of what has been missing during the early season reverses. As The Bulls continued to dictate, even Ryan Valentine forced a block from Jalal following neat interplay with King. Pugh and Marshall continued to torment down the flanks and Kenny Lunt produced a thunderous shot, which whistled passed the post, but Bournemouth replied through Fletcher who managed to roll his marker before firing in on the hour. The Bulls needed to show improved character to avoid a repeat of their previous second half collapses. However, the fans were not to be disappointed this time as the hosts continued to impose their much-improved passing game on the visiting beach boys. King was unlucky as his movement and tenacity produced a chance that cannoned off the keeper’s knees while at the other end, Dennehy, who had replaced Blanchett, conceded a needless free kick to Alan Connell but the free kick was easily dealt by the efficient Bartlett. King then combined with Lunt to produce another effort which was just wide before Lunt’s superb cross-field ball found Pugh who again tested the keeper. Then with 13 minutes left on the clock, another flowing move developed through midfield ending with King providing Marc Pugh with a ball that the winger again slid passed Jalal to push The Bulls towards the three points.

The Bulls were playing by far the better football with some fine passing movements whereas Bournemouth continued to lump the ball forward to the giant Fletcher who on this performance might be better employed giving rides to children on the beach.

FT HUFC 2 Bournemouth 1

If this sort of performance and effort is repeated in the coming weeks, fans can expect to see Hereford pulling away from the danger zone. We, at last, appear to have a forward line that runs for 90 minutes and chases back to help out in midfield. Sam Gwynne has added steel to the central area while the much-maligned Kenny Lunt had his best game to date. After a nervous start, the defence in the main dealt competently with the aerial bombardment while Bartlett gave another assured display. The front pairing were a constant threat with Craig King giving a Man-of-The-Match performance.

Attendance 2103 with 431 from the seaside.

Hereford: - Bartlett, Lowe, Jones, Blanchett (Dennehy, 66), Valentine; Marshall, Gwynne, Lunt, Pugh; Walker, King. Unused Subs: Adamson, Lowe, Sonko, Done, Constantine, McCallum.
Bournemouth: - Jalal, Bradbury (McQuoid, 81), Pearce, Guyett, Cummings; Feeney (Connell, 60), Bartley, Robinson, Hollands; Pitman, Fletcher. Unused Sub: Tindall.

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