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Now goalless in over 10 hours play, The Bulls sank to the relegation zone after an inept and rudderless display against an Oxford side scarcely able to believe the ease with which they could claim three points. More worrying even than the hostile reaction of fewer than 2000 Bulls fans, the calling for heads to roll, and the black comedy of cheering virtual goals, was the scarcity of chances created. A speculative 77th minute effort from Daniel Stratford, Hereford’s solitary shot on target, and by which time it was far too late anyway, was greeted with ironic applause from the Meadow End as Oxford indulged in some untroubled showboating.
Without Captain Kovacs, 25 today, the home side were first out of the traps.Kenny Lunt and O’Neill Thompson moved down the left to force a corner, which was cleared with ease, and Stuart Fleetwood’s far post cross was nudged on to Joe Colbeck who fired across goal from a tight angle. However, far more danger was soon to be seen at the other end, Ryan Green needing to deal with a promising run from Tom Craddock, Adam Bartlett plucking a ball from under his crossbar and an excellent move between Asa Hall and Simon Heslop headed to safety by Richard Rose. The same two then combined to give Hall a chance from 25 yards which Bartlett fielded. Josh Payne’s run was halted by Mathieu Manset, back helping a beleagured defence as the visitors forced a series of corners.
On 35 minutes, Thompson allowed a break down the Oxford right, Matt Green popped the ball over for James Constable to guide it home at the second attempt. The visitors deserved their lead, and almost doubled their tally shortly after when Constable was penalised when well placed. The Bulls offered only one bright spot as Lunt, Green and Colbeck engineered one flowing move which broke down before reaching the area. Indeed, a confident if unremarkable Oxford continued to be first in the tackle and to have some kind of creative nous.
HT: HUFC 0 OXFORD UTD 1
Stratford sent in a low centre shortly after the interval which Fleetwood could not send goalwards. Then Manset’s trademark run was halted by a trip and Lunt played a pass to Rose whose shot was deflected over. Towards the close of play, Manset tried to send in Amadou Rabihou, one of three substitutes made by Simon Davey in the 68th minute in a desperate attempt to improve Hereford’s prospects, but the striker had strayed offside. And that, dear reader, apart from Stratford’s shot already recorded, is all that deserves a mention in a woefully dull and uninspiring second half.
For their part, league new boys Oxford, without setting the world alight, seemed to have more skill and determination, and a more coherent strategy. Halfway through the half, the win was secured as the hapless Thompson was beaten all ends up by Craddock, who steadied himself without being challenged, and cleverly curled a chip in off the post. It is not pleasant to report the understandable dissatisfaction voiced by the home crowd as the game drifted to its inevitable conclusion. There has been much talk of changes to formations and systems after last week’s debacle at Burton, and Davey himself expressed the view that the players and management had simply not done their jobs. After this abject showing, it seems that the lesson remains unlearned. Before plan B is considered, an effective plan A would be a start.
FT: HUFC 0 OXFORD UTD 2
Attendance 2980, with 967 Oxfordians on blue plastic chairs.
HUFC: Bartlett, Green, Rose, Thompson (Kanoute 68), Valentine, Malson, Lunt, Stratford, Colbeck (Rabihou 68), Manset, Fleetwood (Canham 68).
OXFORD UTD.: Clarke, Tonkin, Creighton,Worley, Purkiss, Heslop, Hall, Payne (Bulman 79), Constable (Midson 84), Green (Potter 62), Craddock.
Sam Malsom being challenged by Simon Heslop in the first half.
Captain Kenny Lunt clears with Ryan Valentine watching closely. (Both pictures taken by Andy Compton of the Hereford Journal)
