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Hereford succeeded in climbing out of the relegation zone with a hard earned point against a rapid passing Aldershot side at Edgar Street this evening. Conceding an opener to the visitors, Hereford’s new found confidence saw them roar back to take a half time lead, but the Bulls spent long periods of the second half on the back foot. Eventually they succumbed to a late equaliser, and are still awaiting the elusive first home win.
Jamie Pitman was able to name an unchanged starting line up with the Heroes of Edgeley Park eager to continue the good work. With Tony James completing his loan spell tonight, it was opportune to find Captain Kovacs ready for duty, though Guillem Bauza’s name was not on the substitute’s roll call.
The match started quietly, with Ryan Green, Kenny Lunt and Richard Rose engaged in some crisp passing, whilst Jermaine McGlashan looked a lively and skilful opponent. Mathieu Manset was causing problems to the Shots defence, proving virtually impossible to shake off the ball, and showing his customary combination of sublime skills and unpredictable pinball control; after one such run he was felled (apparently registering 4.2 on the Richter scale), and referee Mr Tierney played a canny advantage, though Jimmy McQuilkin’s follow up shot was high, wide and none too handsome. Again, the Beast refused to give up a lost cause and did splendidly to get in a cross which almost found Lunt.
Aldershot looked equally likely to open the scoring. Marlon Jackson’s header found McGlashan who shot wildly off target. Immediately, the same twosome created another chance, and on this occasion, a timely block from Michael Townsend was needed to divert the ball for a corner. The home defence did not heed the warning, and from Luke Gutteridge’s corner, hesitancy allowed McGlashan to slam the ball home to give the visitors a 20 minute lead.
Earlier this season, Hereford would have withdrawn into their shells at this setback, but now a determined effort to improve their lot saw the Bulls enter their best period of the game. Adam Bartlett had to be smart to block a Jackson effort, but, breaking quickly, Joe Colbeck’s cross found Manset, whose blocked attempt fell nicely for McQuilkin who did not have his shooting boots on today. Return of the prodigal Rob Purdie then saw an inviting cross cleared for a corner. On 25 minutes, McQuilkin’s resulting flag kick was glanced home by a delighted Rose.
Jackson headed tamely over when well placed, and a clever run down the right by Glen Little caused some consternation, though in this phase of the match it was the home side who were looking more creative. Manset’s turn and 25 yarder took a deflection, making it easier for Jamie Young to save, and then Purdie’s through ball found Manset whose first time lob cleared Young but was too high. McQuilkin was tripped, but once more the referee allowed a sensible advantage; Colbeck’s subsequent shot was blocked. With the interval fast approaching, the Bulls then went ahead. Lunt’s pass invited Manset to charge into the box, the ball ran loose, and there was Joe Colbeck to lash home from the edge of the area.
HT: HUFC 2 ALDERSHOT 1
James had sustained a minor injury and was withdrawn at the break, allowing a welcome return for Janos Kovacs, hungry (geddit?) to rejoin the fray. His first task was to clear a dangerous free kick awarded for a Purdie trip. Manset made inroads down the wing, and found Lunt who laid it off for little Jimmy who composed himself before sending a low shot just wide. For whatever reason, the close passing game adopted by the Bulls during Mr Pitman’s tenure that had borne fruit, seemed to desert them as the long ball game made an unwelcome reappearance. One route one clearance from Bartlett found Lunt onside, though it was extremely difficult to control and our Kenny gave a fair impression of Devon Loch in attempting to do so. Green played a delightful wall pass and fired an accurate pass to Manset who shot over under pressure. Bartlett had to beat away a long range free kick, and danger man McGlashan then rounded the keeper but could only fire across the face from an acute angle.
Wade Small was introduced as a Shots sub, thereby having a team with Mr Small and Mr Little. There was much speculation as to other Mr Men footballers, though the consensus was that Mr Messi was an unlikely participant in a League two side. However, back to the action. Stuart Fleetwood played Manset in, but his shot seemed tired, and then the Frenchman returned the compliment only for Fleets to delay his strike for a crucial split second. Kovacs then had to leave proceedings with a dislocated shoulder sustained earlier in an innoculous looking challenge. After trying bravely to play on, the unfortunate skipper was clearly in pain and now foces a further spell on the sidelines.
Although Fleetwood and Manset conjured up a couple of half chances, it was the visitors who were on top, with the Bulls defence under siege. With three minutes left, the ebullient Luke Guttridge smashed a long range effort goalwards. Bartlett dived full length to effect a save, but the ball ran kindly for the aforementioned Mr Small who reacted quickest to tap home. A pity the defence could not hold out for a few more minutes, but the result seemed fair, and the slow climb away from the drop continues.
FT: HUFC 2 ALDERSHOT 2
Attendance: 2126 including 117 from Hampshire.
HUFC: Bartlett, Green, James ((Kovacs 46 (Weir 75)), Townsend, Valentine, Rose, McQuilkin, Lunt (Fleetwood 58), Colbeck, Purdie, Manset.
ALDERSHOT: Young, Herd, Vincent, Charles, Straker, Morris Guttridge, Little (Randall 85), Harding (Hylton 80), McGlashan, Jackson (Small 62).
