Seaside Defeat on Boxing Day

Here is today's match report courtesy of Kevin.

Hereford United fell to a Boxing Day defeat by the seaside after a 1-0 loss at Torquay, in front of 3,792 fans at Plainmoor. The only goal of the game was scored mid-way through the first-half when Nicky Wroe converted a penalty after a foul by Darren Jones on left-winger Jake Thomson. The Bulls failed to respond in the second-half and only notable chances came late on through Marc Pugh and sub Gavin McCallum, whilst Leon Constantine had a close-range finish chalked off for offside. After 11 days without a game, Hereford introduced Ryan Green, Ryan Valentine, Richard Rose and Johnny Godsmark with Keith Lowe, Sam Gwynne, McCallum and Tyler Weir making way.

The Gulls’ main outlet throughout the game came on the left hand side from Thomson, who constantly threatened when on the ball. An early strike by Thomson failed to trouble Adam Bartlett whilst at the other end, a poor free-kick from Jordan Mutch was only cleared as far as Pugh, who saw a shot clear the woodwork. The decisive goal came after a quick throw on the left which Thomson picked up, skipping past a couple of defenders and into the box before his run was eventually bought to an end by a lunging tackle by Jones. Referee Steve Tanner had no hesitation in giving a spot-kick, which Wroe stepped up to take and convert, despite Barlett getting a slight touch to it.

The Bulls tried to respond to the set-back and had their own shouts for a penalty when Constantine’s pressure on defender Kieran Charnock saw the ball strike his arm but Tanner waved away the appeals. Craig King’s neat shuffle past a defender allowed him space to shoot from 20 yards but he dragged his shot past the near post. Bartlett had to be on hand to deny the lively Thomson again, after he cut in from the left before firing powerfully towards the front-post but he was denied by a parrying save from the ex Kiddy ‘keeper. Minutes later, a cross from the right was met by Thomson but Barlett again was on hand to save his close-range header. Towards the end of the half, Hereford had their first-shot on target when Constantine laid the ball back to Pugh, who curled a shot into the arms of Michael Poke.

The second-half offered little excitement in terms of goalmouth action, until the latter stages. Wayne Carlisle’s tidy cross from the right was guided past the far post by Elliot Benyon before Hereford introduced Mathieu Manset in place of King up top. United’s main threat was on the right-wing with Godsmark and a through ball by Mutch found the Newcastle loanee who in turn slipped in Constantine but his low strike was diverted behind by Poke’s foot. A rising shot by Adam Smith failed to trouble Bartlett before both sides made subs. Matty Done came on for Godsmark, and soon after McCallum replaced Valentine, who was booked for a rash challenge minutes previous. The Gulls introduced Scott Rendell up front with Benyon’s shift coming to an end.

With the game approaching an end, Hereford stepped up their game although they were lucky not to be completely out of it after Tyrone Thompson slipped in Smith inside the area but Bartlett’s reflexes meant the poked finish was blocked away. John Trewick’s men had a couple of good opportunities to equalise in the closing moments, with firstly Pugh firing over from the edge of the box following a cross from Done on the left. Constantine saw his strike disallowed after being set up by Pugh, but the former Shrewsbury winger was adjudged to have been offside despite the appeals that it was in fact Manset, who didn’t appear to be interfering with play. In stoppage-time, a clearance by Green was flicked on by Mutch into the path of McCallum who snatched at the opportunity, dragging his shot a long way past the post despite having time and space to run into and a possible one on one situation with Poke.

It was an extremely disappointing performance by Hereford against a Torquay side who didn’t look too special themselves. Whilst United had the larger chunk of possession, the Gulls had more ideas in front of goal. The Bulls are lacking that killer instinct in the final third, and the constant chopping and changing with the line-up isn’t helping the situation. A settled eleven in 2010 will hopefully see results pick up. Trewick will be aiming to end 2009 on a better note than recent weeks when Aldershot visit on Monday; don’t forget the supporters match at the Leisure Centre at 11am on the same day!

Hereford: Bartlett, Valentine, Green, Jones, Rose, Godsmark, Mutch, Lunt, Pugh, King, Constantine.

Subs: Adamson, Lowe, Gwynne, Wedderburn, Done, McCallum, Manset.

Torquay: Poke, Mansell, Robertson, Charnock, Smith, Carlisle, Thompson, Wroe, Thomson, Zebroski, Benyon.

Subs: Bevan, Nicholson, Ellis, Stevens, Hargreaves, Rendell, Sills.

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