Bulls secure valuable point at Fieldmill

Hereford United picked up a useful point against a fairly low quality Mansfield team this afternoon.  An early strike from Marlon Jackson was equalled by an Exodus Geohaghon header with both goals coming in the first period.

Ryan Bowman was withdrawn from the squad through illness and Martin Foyle opted for caution following a couple of hefty away defeats.  The back division was unchanged and Marlon Jackson, in the lone strike role was supported from midfield by Watkins, O'Keefe, Pell, Clist and Clucas.

Debut for O'Keefe

The Bulls attacked the goal in front of the visiting Herefordians in the first half and Simon Clist quickly felt the studs of Anthony Howell in a late challenge.  Watkins lost possession on the halfway line but the breakaway was stopped at the expense of a fruitless corner before a Pell through ball found Jackson on the move but he was quickly closed down and the ball was cleared.

The quality in the opening twenty minutes left plenty to be desired and when Clucas tried to inject some pace and skill into the proceedings he was scythed down by Stags' captain Murray who duly received a yellow flash from referee Handley.  Then, with a little over twenty minutes played, Clucas created the opening goal for Jackson.

The enthusiastic Clucas intercepted a cross-field ball and he set off on a run from just inside the Mansfield half before releasing Jackson on the edge of the box.  With the home defence already stretched, Jackson was able to drill home from 12 yards.

Players surround Jackson after Hereford's Goal

Daniel blazed high over the bar for the hosts then a free kick similar to the one that produced a goal for FGR on Tuesday fell wide of the target as The Stags enjoyed a rare few minutes of pressure in what was, generally, a poor first half.  Jackson just failed to get on the end of a Pell through ball and, from a corner, Simon Clist was clearly pulled from behind in the box but Mr Handley clearly had his eyes focused in another direction.  Then with a long ball into The Bulls box only being half cleared the ball fell to Nick Wright who found Geohaghon unmarked six yards out and he nodded in with Bittner seemingly rooted to his line.

Marlon Jackson with the ball watched by the 'Giant'

Clucas almost created the late first half opportunity when he jinked his way into the box but the score remained level as the twenty-minute queue for coffee commenced.

HT  Mansfield 1  Bulls 1

Mrs Ex commented at the break that it was boring and the facts were confirmed in the second period when, I believe, she actually went to sleep for the first time at a game.

It was fully fifteen minutes before anything of note happened after the oranges and that was a cross from Watkins that sailed harmlessly beyond the far post.  Then there was a throw in.  Did I mention Geohaghon's throws?  No?  Oh well, perhaps I was asleep as well.

Marley Watkins

The industrious Clist fed a pass for Jackson but he was eased off the ball and the ball rolled out for another throw.  Mansfield made a couple of substitutions which made no difference whatsoever and then there was a throw in.  Jake Speight received a deserved yellow for following through into Bittner long after he had collected the ball before Canham replaced Jackson for the final five minutes of enthralling throw-ins witnessed by 2248 including 137 in the visitors pen.

FT  Mansfield 1  Bulls 1

Bulls: Bittner, Gallinagh, Graham, Stam, Curruthers, Watkins, O’Keefe, Pell, Clist, Clucas, Jackson (Canham 87).  Unused Heath, McQuilkin, Sammons, Smikle.

Mansfield: Redmond, Sutton, Thompson, Pilkington, Long Throw Geohaghon, Howell, Murray, Daniel, Meikle (Briscoe 76), Speight, Wright (Rhead 71).  Unused Beevers, Clements, Stevenson.

Not the best but looking like MF is addressing the early season midfield failings.  Marley took a bang on the leg but should be fine by next weekend and Samuel Raymond Clucas turned in another hard-working shift that included most of the better parts of the afternoons performance.  The midfield looked a lot more solid if a little lacking in support for Jackson up top. However, it was, overall, much more palatable than the last two away efforts.

Stockport County?  Bring 'em on!

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