BULLS GO DOWN TO THE FOREST

It seems unnatural to face old foes Forest Green Rovers in the role of underdog, yet their lofty league position suggested that this was indeed the case. Despite the encouragement of an early goal, the Bulls had fallen behind before the interval, and rarely looked like squaring matters in the second half. The visitors also created few direct chances, though they seemed more assured in possession, and were quicker to close down the Hereford midfield. This technical ability, coupled with a gritty approach not seen in Gumpers sides in days of yore, allowed them to return to Gloucestershire with a deserved three points.

The game began in ”the kind of rain that wets you through”. In the opening exchanges, Sam Russell dealt smartly with a Ryan Bowman shot, whilst at the other end, Magno Vieira found an alarming amount of space in the box but failed to connect with a header.

Ryan Bowman - pictures taken by Linda Richards

Then Eddie Oshodi nodded straight at James Bittner when well placed. At this point, a visiting fan, presumably mistaking Edgar Street for the San Siro,(an easy thing to do, I know) ignited some kind of smoke bomb and was ushered away. While departing, he probably heard the cheers from the Meadow End as Hereford took a 7th minute lead. Sam Clucas lashed a corner kick across the box to where Stefan Stam had found room enough to wake a telling connection, and give the Bulls some breathing space.

Forest Green proved very quick to counter-attack, and in one lightning break, Matt Taylor made a chance for Vieira who shot straight into Bittner’s arms. Marley Watkins headed on for Marlon Jackson who sent a dangerous cross whistling across the face of goal. Then, with 16 minutes on the clock, Luke Graham was penalised for a foul on Ben Wright, who offered to take the kick himself. Despite the age it took for the defensive wall to be correctly positioned, Mr Wright managed to get the ball over it and into the corner of the net .

James Bittner beaten by Ben Wright's free kick

Bowman challenged Chris Stokes who then rolled around the floor in an over-reaction, and it was sad to see several FGR players attempting to influence the referee, one Mr Bull, to send the striker off. Yellow was the verdict, and Stokes made a miraculous recovery, re-entering the field in his new-found role as pantomime villain. Generally, Mr Bull seemed too easily swayed in his decision making by the appeals of players, and in some cases, the shouts from the crowd. Bowman cleverly flicked on for Clucas who could not find the difficult angle. Jamie Turley made a terrific interception and run downfield which won a corner for his side. Good work between Taylor and Stokes finished with a cross by Jamie Collins which fell kindly for Yan Klukowski. No-one could get in a tackle, and the visitors took a 32nd minute lead.

Watkins played an intelligent pass into the six yard box and a defender stuck out a foot which almost resulted in an own goal, but Russell prevented such a mishap. Hereford were guilty of allowing their opponents too much time and space in this phase of the game, whereas the ability to close down with speed made it difficult to forge openings for the home side. The closest we came to an equaliser was when Collins cleared straight to Bowman who was somewhat taken by surprise and failed to control the ball.

HT: HUFC 1 FGR2

Marlon Jackson

Hereford showed some early promise in the second period as Bowman latched on to a sliced clearance, but Turley reacted quickly to snuff out the danger. Clucas then was unlucky with a ricochet as he charged into the area, and a couple of free kicks in a prominent position were won, but unfortunately wasted. Bowman and Clucas then tried to set up Watkins, but the final ball lacked pace. For their part, the visitors made it very hard to be creative by their constant co-ordinated harrying whenever the Bulls had the ball. In trying to compete more effectively in the middle of the park, the more productive side of the Bulls game gradually faded.

Bittner, facing his old club, made some good saves, firstly from another Wright free kick and then claiming a high hanging ball when under extreme pressure. Jackson and Bowman contrived to set up Harry Pell for a long-range effort. Despite keeping his drive low, it could not find a path through a forest of legs. Bowman nearly set up Pell for another shot, but Russell managed to smother. Although some effort was made, it grew increasingly obvious that the Glos outfit were largely in their comfort zone, and that they would leave with maximum points. They also managed to bundle the ball untidily over the line late on, but a linesman’s flag cut short the celebrations.

Andy Gallinagh

As Hereford struggled to have any different ideas, the game concluded with some crisp passing from FGR, resplendent in their high-vis green kit, particularly from Wright, Ed Asafu-Adjaye, and Kieron Forbes, illustrating to all the reason for their place near the top.

FT: HUFC 1 FGR 2
Attendance: 1656, including 122 from Nailsworth and district.

HUFC: Bittner, Gallinah, Graham, Stam, Carruthers, Watkins, Pell, Sammons (O’Keefe 65), Clucas, Jackson, Bowman.

FGR: Russell, Stokes, Oshodi, Turley, Asafu-Adjaye, Collins, Vieira (Styche 46), Bangura, Klukowski (Forbes 76), Taylor, Wright (Brogan 90).