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Hereford United brought their pre-season schedule to a close with a 2-0 win against a youthful but talented Bristol City side at Edgar Street this evening. A poachers’ goal from Marlon Jackson and a Harry Pell penalty proved to be the difference in the final test before next Friday’s Conference opener.
With Ryan Bowman absent, Martin Foyle opted to give Harry Pell a little more license behind striker Marlon Jackson ahead of what was a fairly traditional two banks of four. Gallinagh, Townsend, Graham and Curruthers formed the back division with Clucas, Clist, trialist Ashley Salmons and Marley Watkins making up the central formation.
The game started at a very decent tempo that was maintained throughout. Early pressure from Marley Watkins forced a corner before Watkins was again involved getting behind his fullback and delivering a driven cross that caused some consternation in the visitors defence with Jackson’s flicked effort going just over the bar. Jackson, keen to show his ability to his former employers, outpaced his markers but blazed over when well placed.
The game progressed with plenty of one touch football and enterprise from both sides. Watkins again got past his fullback but his dangerous cross was cut out by the experienced looking Bristol number 4. Ashley Salmons did well to hold up a Bristol striker on the edge of the Bulls’ box meaning only a scuffed shot, which Hanford collected with ease. On the break, the Bulls’ took the lead on forty minutes.
Watkins, having switched to the left, worked his way along the bye-line before pulling back to Marlon Jackson who showed composure to drag the ball back before slotting confidently past the keeper.
Salmons, who had shown good touches in midfield and an appetite for a challenge, played a fine diagonal ball out to the overlapping Curruthers but his low cross was blocked for an uneventful corner as the half closed.
HT Bulls 1 Bristol 0
Sean Canham emerged for the second period replacing Salmons as United reverted to their 4-4-2 strategy. From a long forward ball, Canham did enough to put off his marker and Clucas ghosted in behind to screw a shot beyond the far post. Clist dropped a ball onto Canham’s head and Watkins collected his flick but the wideman’s cross got caught between Jackson’s feet and the chance was gone. At the other end, Towner was comically judged to have fouled a visiting player on the edge of the box but despite considerable posing, the free kick was lifted high over the bar. Then, twenty minutes in to the second period, The Bulls doubled their advantage.
Good work down the left involving Clucas, Canham and Curruthers finished with Clucas continuing his run across the box and being upended by a challenge that was a good yard late. Harry Pell stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way with his low shot accurately placed just inside the post.
Bristol responded through the impressive number 10 who burst into the box but Hanford was alert to the danger and tipped over the bar.
Stefan Stam replaced Luke Graham, Heath came on for Gallinagh and James McQuilkin replaced Clucas as Martin Foyle looked to give some game time to the rest of his available players. Of the late entrants, Quilks was probably the most impressive as he got on the end of a Pell knock down to crack a fine volley which the keeper was relieved to gather at the second attempt.
FT Bulls 2 Bristol 0
This was a thoroughly entertaining game regrettably watched by just 365 paying customers including nine from across the bridge watched carefully by four stewards. The pace of the game and movement and availability of players was, at times, a joy to watch and credit must be given to the young Bristol side who provided a worthy test and contributed well to the spectacle. If Martin Foyle can retain the belief and purpose of his assembled squad, then there could well be few surprises ahead for those who consider themselves to be advantaged by higher budgets.
Impressed.
