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A dubious late equaliser cancelled out Byron Anthony’s first goal for The Bulls as Hereford claimed a point at Bradford City this afternoon.
Manager Pitman named a side that saw the return of Dave Cornell and a move to central defence for Will Evans following the withdrawal of virus-stricken Ryan Green. Tom Barkhuizen started wide right with Delroy Facey up to in a 4-5-1 that had Lyle Taylor on the opposite flank.
The Bulls started brightly and Rob Purdie tested the home keeper in the first minute following good work by Purkiss and Facey. An early cross from Kyel Reid was headed away for a corner by Evans which was easily cleared. Home striker Nahki Wells demonstrated his ability to fall over whenever he was in or around the box but found his match when captain Purdie whipped the ball off his toe as he shaped to shoot. Kenny Lunt’s quick throw was crossed by Barkhuizen but Facey’s header went just wide of the goal. Taylor’s clever ball from the right was cleared as Featherstone advanced and a Lunt through ball was only just short of putting Facey in on goal.
At the other end, Reid’s cross-shot was tipped over the bar by Cornell before Taylor again showed good skill to create a chance for Featherstone but the Bull’s midfielder saw his effort from a narrow angle smothered on the line by keeper McLaughlin. Barkhuizen lined up a long throw but Lunt made a short run and turned his marker before clipping a cross which was scrambled away for another fruitless corner. As the half closed, Taylor launched a shot from 40 yards that flew high into Row Z of the home end.
HT Bradford 0 Bulls 0
The Bulls had a penalty claim waived aside when a home defender clearly punched away when a cross swung dangerously into the home area. One can only assume that the referee was unsighted. Andrew Davies headed over for The Bantams when well placed before the inspirational Rob Purdie went on a 60-yard run that ended with Barkhuizen’s shot being blocked for a corner. Simon Clist was outpaced by Wells and the striker, predictably, went to ground to win a free kick just outside the box but The Bulls defence cleared up field. As the hosts came forward again Purdie dispossessed Reid and broke forward at pace to deliver a driven cross which Facey flicked goalward but his effort was blocked for a corner.
The initial second period of footballing thrusts soon degenerated into a period of poor quality with the ball careering from one end to the other. A loose ball from Barks led to a Bantam’s break was Evans was on hand to clear at the expense of a corner, which Facey met with a thumping clearance. Bradford threw on a couple of substitutes in an attempt to take the initiative but it was The Bulls who found the net with just eight minutes remaining. Barkhuizen’s throw found Facey and he held off a challenge before turning and crossing for Byron Anthony to head home from 8 yards with the keeper flat-footed.
Bradford pressed forward in search of the equaliser and when Clist’s clearance off the line went for a corner, The Bulls chose to take off Kenny Lunt and add height to the team in the form of Harry Pell. As the corner came in from the far side, Pell was shoved in the back by a Bradford player to leave the way clear for Syers who placed his header in at the far post. The Bantams pushed for the winner and Ben Purkiss collected his second yellow of the match to leave The Bulls to hang on with ten men for the final few minutes.
FT Bradford 1 Bulls 1
Hereford: Cornell, Purkiss, Anthony, Evans, Clist, Barkhuizen, Lunt (Pell 87), Purdie, Featherstone, Taylor (Colbeck 71), Facey. Subs not used: Bartlett, Arquin, Elder.
Bradford: McLaughlin, Seip, Davies, Bullock, Kozluk, Reid, Ravenhill, Jones, Smalley (Atkinson 81), Flynn (Syers 65), Wells (Hannah 89). Subs not used: Annerson, Fry, Hannah.
Attendance 17014 (largely at £1 each) with 111 from The Shire (at £20).
Most would have taken a point before kick-off but taking the lead with just seven or eight minutes remaining and then conceding makes this a slightly disappointing result. In the first half, The Bulls gave a good as they got. The second period was less even but the goal was, nonetheless deserved and it does chew on the patience when a referee who, in general, had been fairly fussy failed to spot both the shove on HP and the clear handball.
Gillingham won’t be any easier.
See you there on Tuesday.
