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The diminutive Alex MacDonald charged down an attempted clearance, and sent in a dangerous cross to give the home side an early wake- up call. Then a series of fortunate ricochets allowed Tom Barkhuizen to set up Nicky Featherstone for a shot that took a deflection to give Hereford an early corner. Kenny Lunt’s accurate delivery found the head of Michael Townsend, arriving at pace, but the defender cleared the crossbar with his effort. Elder intercepted an attempted clearance to give Evans the chance to put in an inviting cross, but no Bulls had managed to advance into the visitors’ area with sufficient speed. James Chambers then supported the attack and cleverly passed for Barkhuizen, though the youngster’s careful shot lacked pace.
For their part, the Pilgrims were also creating half-chances. MacDonald headed a Warren Feeney free kick wide of goal when well placed, a misunderstanding between David Cornell and Stam required some hasty intervention, and a Robbie Williams free kick lacked the “take that” touch. Veteran Darren Purse was penalised for climbing when getting his head to a corner, whilst former Bull Nick Chadwick showed a side to his game not witnessed in his time in the Shire as he clattered into first Cornell, and then Chambers. Referee Mr Langford did not deem either challenge worthy of a card. Maxime Blanchard was a coat of dubbin away from connecting with a low cross. Meanwhile, a delightful ball from Featherstone found Richard Peniket, who cut inside Darrell Berry before shooting just wide.
With half an hour played, there seemed little danger as Feeney pressurised Stam in the Hereford box. Some confusion between the central defender and Cornell, who seemed rather hesitant to make a claim, led to Stam making a hash of his attempted clearance, the ball lobbing gently over the keeper and into the net. The vociferous band of Pilgrims joyously celebrated an unlikely lead. In response, a shocked home side set about rectifying the situation. Lunt’s determination allowed him to win a lost cause and supply Evans with a shooting opportunity, though his long range attempt was somewhat wild.
Chadwick showed terrific control to put himself in the clear, but then inexplicably strked the ball wide of a gaping net. Lifeline number one for the Bulls was soon to be followed by lifeline number two. After the all-too-common sight of some pinball in the home area, during which a Plymouth hand appeared to make some contact, some tumbling bodies resulted in a penalty kick for the visitors.
As collective breaths were held in the Meadow End, and the spectre of the Blue Square made another unwelcome appearance, up stepped Simon Walton to smack the ball against Cornell’s right hand post. Peniket’s shot on the turn (deflected for a corner) was the closest thing to a first half leveller.
HT: HUFC 0 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 1
Although not a good scoreline, perhaps Hereford emerged from the dressing room secure in the knowledge that matters could so easily have been worse, with them staring down the barrel of a three goal deficit. Within seven minutes of the restart, some welcome urgency and quickness of thought brought an equaliser. Awarded a free kick in midfield after Elder had been baulked by Blanchard, Stam, who was eager to make amends for his gaffe, spotted Anthony in space on the left wing. The ball was delivered low to Barkhuizen, who showed some deft control to wrongfoot the defence, and to smash the ball past Jake Cole, the visiting custodian.
Both the team and the crowd became energised by this, and Hereford enjoyed a ten minute spell in which they put some real pressure on the Plymouth rearguard. Anthony’s shot from an angle, Peniket’strong run (sadly finished with a weak shot), and some enterprising approach play from Featherstone and Lunt gave the Bulls faithful cause for hope. Even Michael Townsend joined the fun with a creditable attempt at an overhead kick.The lively Barkhuizen then played in Delroy Facey, on for Elder, but the striker was off target.
The impetus soon became lost, however, and Argyle forced a series of corners. Evans did force Cole into a diving save, and Anthony’s speculative 35 yarder was way too high, but clear cut chances were becoming a rarity.
Paul Wotton’s chipped free kick to the far post caused some concern, as did the delicate flick-on from substitute Steve Fletcher to Feeney who screwed his shot wide. A shot through a forest of legs only brought a corner for the Bulls, while Barkhuizen snatched at his chance and Facey fired at the keeper when well positioned. Will Evans’s hand made contact with the ball in the box, but was unnoticed. Both sides had to settle for a pont, and a large question mark still hovers over Hereford’s Football League future. Certainly, the hoped-for Good Friday resurrection was not forthcoming.
FT: HUFC 1 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 1
Attendance: a massive 4597, including 1244 Devonians.
HUFC: Cornell, Chambers, Townsend, Stam, Anthony, Barkhuizen (Clucas 90), Featherstone, Evans, Lunt, Peniket (Colbeck 73), Elder (Facey 64).
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE: Cole, Berry, Purse, Blanchard, Williams, Walton, Wotton, Feeney (Hourihane 90), Chadwick (Fletcher 65), Hemmings, MacDonald (Young 76).
