BULLS LEAVE IT TOO LATE

After conceding two soft first half goals, Hereford gave themselves a mountain to climb after the interval. Visitors Stockport County held on to the three points despite a late rally from the Bulls that gave debutant Phil Marsh his first goal, but an equaliser proved elusive.

Eager to make an early impression, Marsh made a useful interception that allowed Marley Watkins to send over a centre that Sam Clucas glanced over the bar. Will Evans tried his luck with a couple of long range attempts; the first was blocked by James Tunnicliffe and the follow-up from the rebound flew well wide of the target. Chris Carruthers played an accurate through ball for the prolific Marlon Jackson to race on to. The corner that ensued was headed clear by the mighty County rearguard. Hereford had started without Ryan Bowman, who had been feeling unwell, but the striker’s services were required as early as the 8th minute after an unfortunate injury to Jackson. Landing awkwardly after challenging for the ball, the youngster appeared to twist a knee upon landing, and it was clear that the substitution was essential.

Jackson just before his injury - pictures taken by Andy Compton of the Hereford Journal

For the visitors, Tom Collins played a useful ball to Andy Halls, whose first touch rather let him down as the ball ran on harmlessly for a goal kick. Then Sean Newton, Danny Hattersley and Matty Mainwaring produced a flowing move that called on James Bittner to beat away an accurate shot. There was time for Hereford to create a good chance when Clucas’s driven corner was headed on by Marsh agonisingly close to the forehead of Stefan Stam, but then County took the lead. Craig Hobson was quicker to react as the ball ran loose in midfield, with Harry Pell and Will Evans unable to check his run. As he arrived, still unchallenged, in the penalty area, Hobson composed himself before cheekily flicking the ball beyond the grasp of Bittner to give Stockport the lead.

Bowman being held by a Stockport defender

Clucas latched on to a long clearance, forcing Halls to give away a corner, and from the flag kick Luke Graham was eased off the ball as he went for a header. The terrier-like Watkins created some reasonable chances with some rapid changes of pace and direction, and Bowman tried to hold up the play, but, as is becoming a common fault, he could not find a midfielder coming towards him to offer assistance. News that the fashion police had made a ruling that forbade flares at Edgar Street was greeted with some disappointment from those planning to dust off their loons (ask your dad) for the next home game. Such diversons were soon put aside as Stockport doubled their lead. A harmless 42nd minute corner arrived in the Bulls box, no-one was on hand to hoof the ball into the legendary row Z, and a grateful Hobson was on hand to fire under a diving Bittner.

HT: HUFC 0 STOCKPORT COUNTY 2

Watkins and Bowman showed some determination to force a corner and Clucas put in a couple of deep crosses which almost bore fruit, especially when Lewis King had to palm the ball to safety. There seemed to be a communication breakdown when Bowman attempting a header with Clucas in a much better position behind him. Another header minutes later was cutely nodded over King but dribbled past the post. For their part, the Hatters looked dangerous with a couple of lightning breaks, and Watkins could be considered fortunate not to be punished for tugging back Paul Turnbull. Always involved in the action, Watkins opened up the visiting defence before shooting weakly, and then a tricky run and shot forced Jordan Fagbola to clear at the near post, the ball almost flying into his own net.

Just as the home faithful started to believe that it was not going to be the Bulls’ day, with plenty of possession and enterprise, but little in the way of clear-cut chances, the deficit was halved. On 77 minutes, Pell executed a terrific pass for Watkins to run on to. A low cross found Marsh, with his back to goal, and he swivelled before planting his effort neatly into the goal.

Phil Marsh about to score

The goal gave Hereford new hope, and the Stockport goal came under siege for the remaining minutes. A series of corners and free kicks were won as their opponents, seemingly comfortable with a quarter of the game to play, came under considerable pressure. The closest that we came to witnessing an equaliser was a cross from the goal line from Pell which King pushed onto his crossbar; in fact the curling trajectory of the ball had already taken it out of play. Andy Gallinah made a couple of sweeping crosses, from one of which Bowman laid it perfectly into Watkins’ path, but again an effective block gave a corner as the sole reward. One was left to ponder what might have been if the comeback had started earlier.

FT: HUFC 1 STOCKPORT COUNTY 2

Attendance: 1889, including a vociferous 250 from Cheshire.

HUFC: Bittner, Gallinah, Graham, Stam (McQuilkin 88), Carruthers, Watkins, Pell, Evans, Clucas, Jackson (Bowman 8), Marsh.

STOCKPORT COUNTY: King, Newton (Eckersley 65), Tunnicliffe, Fagbola, Halls, Mainwaring, Turnbull, Collins (Kenyon 46), Sheridan, Hobson (Rowe 82), Hattersley.