Sloppy Bulls hand point to Bucks

All the promise of a positive result following good performances at Kidderminster and Grimsby evaporated at Edgar Street tonight where, despite a bright start and a goal in two minutes, The Bulls threw away the advantage in a frustratingly poor display that culminated in a late equaliser by a poor Telford side.

Martin Foyle opted for an unchanged side following the business-like showing at Blundell Park and the visitors included former Bulls Ryan Valentine, Steve Leslie, Jordan Rose and Dan Preston in their starting eleven with Kris Taylor on the bench.

Watkins Running Towards The Meadow End After Scoring

A bright start from United was rewarded as soon as the second minute when Stefan Stam’s fine delivery found Marley Watkins cutting in from the right. The wideman burst into the box and when the chance appeared to have gone the visitor’s failure to clear was punished as Watkins low drive nestled into the far corner of the net. Within minutes if the restart, Bowman charged down an attempted clearance by keeper Ryan Young but his instinctive lob failed to find the net.

A Steve Leslie cross was comfortably gathered by Bittner following a moment of uncharacteristic uncertainty in The Bulls rearguard before a corner was headed wide by Jake Reid. Bowman cut in from the left to fire a twenty-yarder that was tipped over by Young and Marley Watkins forced a corner with another darting run. Stam was upended when attempting to clear and Heath’s free kick found Watkins but his effort was wide while shots from O’Keefe and Sharp were both off target.

The Bulls were bossing the game but as the half progressed there was a sense that Telford were weathering the storm and, indeed, they started to create a little themselves without much real threat. Bittner collected a corner and his quick release almost sent Watkins away but Valentine was across to clear before the move could develop.

The latter stages of the first period saw Telford showing an increased appetite for the fight. Valentine cross provided a chance for Leslie but he stabbed his effort just wide of the near post and when Corbett was caught in possession, Leslie’s shot was again wide.

Half time arrived with The Bulls having had the lion’s share of the game but with occasional lapses of concentration that had offered hope to the visitors.

HT Bulls 1 Telford 0

All the expectation was that, playing with the slope, The Bulls would comfortably overcome their part-time opponents in the second period. How wrong we were.

Stam’s early free kick found Pell in a good position but he delayed his shot and the chance was gone. Pell then released Sharp but his rasping shot flew just wide and when Musa was put through on goal his inexperience enabled Young to come out and smother.

A series of misplaced passes seemed to undermine the confidence of The Bulls as Telford seized on the too frequent mistakes to mount their own assaults. Clearances became more and more erratic as the first period sharpness and accuracy deserted The Bulls. Kyle Perry was introduced in place of Sharp with twenty-five minutes remaining but it failed to ignite any sparks as the home display disintegrated into a show of indecision and lack of team play. Martin Foyle provided a rare bit of excitement when he bellowed an expletive laden wake-up call from the technical area.

Sadly it didn’t bring the desired response as United continued to give the ball away and were generally off the pace. Simon Clist replaced Musa on the left, presumably in an attempt to introduce some composure with a quarter of an hour to go and Smikle replaced Bowman five minutes later.

Telford continued to plod away producing an occasional decent cross and some tidy midfield work but despite all the lethargy and poor play from The Bulls it did seem that they had secured a scrappy somewhat undeserved win as the game entered the four added minutes. Then, in extra time, Leslie turned Corbett and clipped the ball to the back post where Kinsella rose unmarked to nod in the equaliser.

Telford Deserved Their Equaliser

A late run from Marley Watkins produced a free kick by Pell that was turned round the post by Young before the final whistle brought a less than enthusiastic response from all but 77 of the 1490 crowd.

FT Bulls 1 Telford 1

Hereford: Bittner, Corbett, Stam, Graham, Heath, Watkins, Pell, O’Keefe, Musa (Clist 77), Bowman (Smikle 81), Sharp (Perry 68). Subs not used: McQuilkin, Hackney.

Telford:Young, Salmon, Preston, Rose, Valentine, Jones, Kinsella, Trainer, Leslie, Spray (Rooney 68), Reid (St Aimie 58). Subs not used: Taylor, Lamlough, Collister.

This was a game that was thrown away after a promising start. Telford were there for the taking but some sloppy play and a general lack of determination, particularly in the second period, allowed them into a match that should have been wrapped up by half time. Martin Foyle must wonder what happened to the organisation and togetherness that brought fine results in the two previous outings.

Back to the drawing board and let’s get a response on Saturday before the good work evaporates altogether.

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