Bulls extend impressive away record

Captain Stam Shaking Hands Just Beford Kick-Off

Hereford United extended their away form to remain unbeaten since the 3-2 reverse at Lincoln in mid-November.  Top scorer Ryan Bowman turned in Marley Watkins low cross to earn The Bulls a well deserved point at Grimsby after Richard Brodie’s shoddily gained free kick had seen Nathan Pond rise at the back post to give the hosts an early lead.

Martin Foyle introduced newcomer James Musa in left midfield role and reinstated Ryan Bowman up top at the expense of Kyle Perry who dropped to the bench.  Former Bulls’ misfit Joe Colbeck started for The Mariners.

The Bulls kicked off attacking the home end and the game was barely two minutes old when new signing Richard Brodie pulled a well-worn stunt to deceive the referee into awarding a free kick on the right.  With The Bulls’ defence well positioned, Brodie received the ball with nowhere to go and was forced wide.  On the blind side of the referee he grabbed Luke Graham’s shirt and dragged the defender into him before stumbling to win the decision despite a the linesman being 15 yards away and giving no indication of an offence.  Colbeck produced a rare decent cross from the dubiously awarded free kick and Nathan Pond nodded in at the back post.

James Bittner Watching Colbeck's Cross

Undeterred, The Bulls set about the task of levelling the score when Marley Watkins’ cross was headed goalward by Stam but McKeown was able to gather.  Play swung from end to end as United gradually got a foothold in the game.  Then on 25 minutes, Brodie got a short lecture from referee Barratt for simulation.  Pell’s crossfield ball enabled the overlapping Heath to sidestep a defender to return the ball to ‘arry whose shot was hacked off the line in a desperate clearance.

A Mariners’ corner on the right was headed back across goal by Pond but Miller’s volley sailed harmlessly over from just inside the box.  Pell collected yellow just after the half hour mark when despite being first to the ball he followed through into Colbeck who had switched to the left.  The hosts enjoyed good possession in midfield but Disley was in full “Graham Hyde” mode as he directed play from side to side without much forward threat.  Then, five minutes before the break, Bowman struck for The Bulls.

Ryan Bowman Scored The Equaliser

Corbett released Marley Watkins who skipped past the fullback to deliver a fine low cross that Bowman gleefully swept into the net at the near post.

Chris Sharp, Bowman, Watkins and Josh O'Keefe Just After Hereford's Goal

HT Grimsby 1  Bulls 1

The Bulls were swiftly on the attack in the second period and O’Keefe volleyed a half clearance over the bar before a Pell shot deflected off Bowman into the arms of home keeper James McKeown.  Colbeck fired a couple of crosses into the crowd and when one did reach the danger area, Bittner was out strongly to collect.  With an hour played Colbeck was hauled off to be replaced with Hull loanee Jamie Devitt.  Miller impeded Chris Sharp and Stefen Stams’ flighted free kick was knocked down for O’Keefe but his snap shot was just wide of the target.

Wood was lucky not to collect a caution when his two-footed challenge on Marley Watkins went unpunished before Musa’s clever lay-off just failed to put Bowman in on goal.  For Grimsby, Hatton fired a free kick just wide and then Marley Watkins went on a darting 50-yard run that took three defenders to stop as he broke into the box.  Another Watkins burst, this time through the centre, was halted when he was chopped down just outside the box but his free kick curled round the wall but inches wide of the upright.

New Loan Signing James Musa Holding Off A Challenge

Marcus Marshall saw a shot comfortably saved by Bittner but it was The Bulls who could have snatched a late winner when Watkins’ corner was glanced wide at the end of an entertaining game watched by 3793 including just under 80 from The Shire.

FT Grimsby 1  Bulls 1

Hereford: Bittner, Corbett, Graham, Stam, Heath, Musa, Pell, O’Keefe, Watkins, Bowman, Sharp.  Unused: Clist, McQuilkin, Hackney, Smikle, Perry.

Grimsby: McKeown, Hatton, Miller, Niven, Colbeck (Devitt 60), Disley, Wood, Pond, Marshall, Cook (Southwell 80), Brodie.  Unused: Pearson, Thanoj, Pearson2(?).

This was another good shift by the rapidly improving Bulls who are showing more consistency as they move to 10^th in the league with games in hand.  Musa made a quiet debut without any glaring errors while the partnership of Bowman and Sharp is beginning to show real promise and Marley Watkins was much brighter having his best and most threatening game since his return from injury.

Three home games to come before the trip to Ecoforest Gump could see The Bulls challenging towards the top of the league.

Bring on Telford, Alfreton and The Darts.

See you all on Tuesday at The Street.

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