Back to form Bulls record fine win at Braintree

Goals from Chris Sharp and Marley Watkins along with a fine team performance earned United three points at The Amlin Stadium this afternoon.

Martin Foyle needed to make just one change with Andy Corbett having been hauled off the coach on route to Braintree when a late recall by parent club Burton paved the way for Andy Gallinagh to make his first start in 2013.

Andy Gallinagh Back In The Side After Injury

The Bulls kicked off attacking the "Quag" visitors end and Stefan Stam’s searching ball forward was collected by home keeper McDonald.  Then Gallinagh fed Marley Watkins and his darting run resulted in an early corner to The Bulls, which was easily dealt with by The Iron defence.  Ryan Bowman was subjected to some robust treatment that left him nursing a sore thigh and it took some time before he looked to move without discomfort.

Watkins picked up a ball in centre-field and made good ground before slipping the ball to Bowman who, in turn, released Chris Sharp but his shot from the corner of the box was just wide.  Sam Clucas, looking lively on the left, sent in a cross which was met by the advancing O’Keefe but his header lacked power and keeper McDonald was able to gather.

Clucas was the next to receive rough treatment when a late challenge in the centre of the pitch followed a shot which whistled just wide of the upright and another challenge, this time in the box, went unpunished when a penalty looked the right decision.  However, just short of twenty minutes, The Bulls took the lead.

Bowman played a delightful ball into the path of Chris Sharp and the former Telford man showed strength and pace to burst through and slide the ball past McDonald into the far corner to notch his maiden strike since his move to Edgar Street.

Players Gather Around Chris Sharp After His Goal

The Bulls were bossing the game at this stage and Sharp put Watkins in on goal but his cross-shot was smothered by the keeper before another opportunity could have doubled the lead.  Sam Clucas, having switched to the right cut in and fired goal-ward only to see his shot deflect off a defender and inches wide of the post.

Braintree issued a wake-up call to United when shots from Payne and Walker both went close.  Gallinagh’s probing cross was headed away for a corner but Clucas’ flag kick was poor and cleared upfield.  Another opportunity fell for The Bulls when the increasingly impressive Musa dropped a long throw into the box but neither Sharp or Bowman were on hand and McDonald was able to fall on the ball amidst considerable panic in the home defence.

Braintree's Dean Wells On The Deck After Ryan Bowman Had Pushed Him Away

A Braintree free kick on the left was floated to the back post where Bowman, back to defend, nodded out to concede a corner but was caught after the ball by a high boot and reacted by pushing the player away. 
   

Referee Ford Took Time To Make His Decision To Book Bowman

 Sadly, as is often the case in modern football, the player collapsed to the ground and Bowman was issued with a yellow.  Dan Hanford overdid the discussion with Lincolnshire referee Declan Ford and duly followed Ryan into the book.

Hanford About To Be Booked

Clearly, Bowman’s reaction was wrong but a second bang on the same leg was probably one too many and the red mist descended.  Martin Foyle gave it a few minutes and then, perhaps wisely, replaced him with Marlon Jackson.

Marley Watkins, back to his threatening best, broke down the right then slipped a ball inside to Sharp who fed Jackson for a crisp effort that screwed a yard wide of the mark.

HT Braintree 0 Bulls 1

The second period produced a couple of early corners for the hosts with one being sliced over the bar and the other falling into the arms of Hanford.  Kinsley James and Josh O’Keefe combined well in midfield to allow Watkins to force another corner which Jackson glanced just over at the near post.

The industrious Chris Sharp put Clucas in on goal bat McDonald was quickly out to block before James Musa made a fine saving challenge as Braintree attacked on the right.  Then followed a very strange situation.  Clucas tangled on the touchline with fullback Peters and came away with the ball.  The referee’s assistant was on the spot and didn’t raise his flag although the ball did look close to being out of play.  Sam sprinted half the length of the pitch, rounded the keeper and slipped the ball into the net only for the aforementioned official to raise his flag and deny the finish.

Undeterred, The Bulls broke forward again and when the keeper only parried Jackson’s shot, Marley Watkins was on hand to volley home from just inside the box.

Marlon Jackson And Marley Watkins Pleased To Have Combined For Hereford's Second Goal

For Braintree, Walker drew a fine diving save from Hanford and when the rebound fell to Mulley, his effort cannoned off the foot of the post.  The Iron exerted a period of pressure and Stam was grateful to see miss-hit clearance curl over the bar while Graham spent a busy period with some excellent block tackles and James Musa was more than a match for his opponent.

Josh O’Keefe showed great awareness when a clearance from McDonald fell to him near the halfway line and his first time volley from fifty yards saw the home keeper scrambling back to catch on the goal-line.

Jackson got on the end of a Watkins free kick but his header was just wide.  At the other end, Hanford came confidently to collect a cross from the left as The Bulls defended resolutely to see the game out and send upwards of 150 Herefordians in a crowd of 653 home happy in the knowledge that The Bulls were back on track.

FT  Braintree 0  Bulls 2

Hereford: Hanford, Gallinagh, Stam, Graham, Musa, Watkins, James, O’Keefe, Clucas, Sharp (McDonald 80), Bowman (Jackson 44). Subs not used: Heath, Clist, Smikle.

Braintree: McDonald, Peters, Wells,Massey, Habergham, Mulley, Davis (Wickham 73), Paine (Sparkes 84), Walker (Daley 73), Holman, Marks. Subs not used: Symons, Watts.

This was a much improved showing from Martin Foyles men.  Jackson looked bright when he replaced the slightly unfortunate Ryan Bowman while Watkins and Clucas were a constant threat with their direct wing work.  In the centre, Kingsley James and O’Keefe looked far more comfortable with each others play and the parnership showed very promising signs for the future. 

Andy Gallinagh slotted straight back in to his role and Graham and Stam formed a formidable barrier in front of Hanford’s compitant display while James Musa gave his winger little change with a very impressive display.

James Musa

BN MOM – James Musa.

The Bulls are back on course.

Seeya Toosday.

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