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Hereford saved their best display of the season, and their most emphatic win, for the very last game as a Rotherham side, already sure of the play-offs, were put under the cosh. In what seems sure to be Graham Turner’s final match as Bulls manager, the attacking performance proved a fitting tribute to his 15 year association with the club. Much uncertainty now surrounds future personnel, on the pitch as well as in the boardroom, with speculation and rumours of possible coalitions rife.
A bitter wind greeted the teams, and it was the Bulls who were first into their stride. With less than 4 minutes played, a lively Marc Pugh burst through on the left and adroitly squared the ball to Mathieu Manset who gave keeper Andy Warrington no chance with a forceful finish. Shortly afterwards, Manset almost returned the compliment but Pugh’s shot was inaccurate. The experienced Kevin Ellison played a couple of dangerous crosses into the area, but both were dealt with in comfort by a solid home rearguard. Richard Rose cleared bravely with his head when under pressure, and Darren Jones calmly mopped up the threat. Jimmy McQuilkin, busy as ever in midfield, set Pugh free but his centre was cut out.
On 21 minutes, the home side doubled their lead. Pugh combined well with Leon Constantine, whose through ball was handled. From the resulting free kick, the Millers conceded a corner. Kenny Lunt picked it up on the corner of the box, created some space with a shimmy and a swivel, and flighted a perfect cross for Darren Jones to head home at the far post. Referee Mr Ilderton from Tyne and Wear was intent on letting the game flow, and allowed some niggly fouls to go unpunished. This met with some disapproval from Ellison, who had clearly got out of bed on the wrong side; he seemed fortunate not to be cautioned for dissent. Hereford took advantage of the freedom afforded, and continued to look the more likely to further trouble the scorer. Manset, with his effective combination of sublime footwork and battering ram strength, caused palpitations in the visitors’ defence. Ryan Green evoked happy memories of Leicester, but this time his curling shot cleared the bar. Then Manset set up Constantine, but again the shot was too high. Danny Harrison had to push the ref aside to cut out another foray, whilst at the other end, Green flicked a cross to safety and Adam Bartlett caught another delivered by Pablo “Satanic” Mills. The break arrived with Hereford good value for their lead.
HT: HUFC 2 ROTHERHAM UTD. 0
The interval yielded three pieces of news. Firstly, fans thought, wrongly as it turned out, that our newly elected MP, watching from the stands, had won the half-time draw. Then came the shock news that the only comestibles available to fans in the refreshment kiosk were…………two (admittedly rather large) packs of fruit pastilles. And finally, it can be revealed that the owner of the husky-type dog who entertained us earlier this term, has been traced. Step forward, Mrs. O.
But, I digress. Back to the action, which came thick and fast as the game resumed. Ellison was tripped, and Manset cleared the ball with a strong header. Then Gavin McCallum, tirelessly chasing a lost cause, charged down a clearance, controlled expertly, and laid the ball on a plate for Constantine. The finish was too casual, and smacked against the post with the goal agape. Nicky Law had a good chance for Rotherham, but his deflected shot was pushed out by Bartlett, who then dealt with the follow up with a fine double save. Green’s marauding run finished with a wall pass off Pugh, and the shot ballooned into the air. It seemed to fall for Pugh to finish, but he was narrowly offside. Some intricate passing, bordering on “showboating”, between Constantine and McCallum led to a corner, which Warrington claimed with some comfort.
The home side remained in control, with some delightful passing moves let down only by some inaccuracy and a lack of penetration with the final delivery. But there was energy and determination aplenty as they tried to increase their advantage. McQuilkin’s firm tackle found Pugh, who was impeded as he tried to turn his marker but wriggled free and beat an onrushing Warrington to the ball by the corner flag. Room then ran out for a cross. McCallum’s excellent run and centre was met with a flamboyantly acrobatic miss from the Beast.
Pugh and Constantine almost played McQuilkin in, the ball unluckily hitting little Jimmy on the back, and then Green and Ryan Valentine had to be alert to prevent counter attacks. Rotherham made their substitutions, including the introduction of Bell-Baggie (please, someone tell me he is on loan from West Brom.). The game took on a carnival like atmosphere, with the Meadow End in fine voice for the first time in ages, Rotherham avoiding injury for the upcoming play-offs, and their fans, hoping for a fancy dress party, rather subdued, and in some cases not even present for the denouement. As the seconds ticked away, Marc Pugh embarked on one last run, and just when he appeared to have taken it too far, unleashed an unstoppable 20 yard shot into the old onion bag.
A curious, entertaining game, redolent of (better) times past, as Hereford enter a period of uncertainty. A lap of honour was well received, with a special round of applause for a modest Graham Turner. Will we see his like again?
FT: HUFC 3 (three) ROTHERHAM UTD. 0
Attendance: 3005 (including 620 Millers)
HUFC: Bartlett, Green, Jones, Rose, Valentine, McCallum, Lunt, McQuilkin, Pugh, Manset, Constantine. NO SUBS USED.
ROTHERHAM UTD.: Warrington, Sharps, Fenton, Lynch, Gunning, Mills (Cummins 70), Harrison, Law (Bell-Baggie 80), Ellison, Marshall, Broughton (Warne 69).
