Late revival earns point for Bulls

Ryan Bowman and Josh O’Keefe netted in the second period as The Bulls fought back from two goals down to earn a point against Southport at Edgar Street this afternoon.

Josh O'Keefe Celebrates Hereford's Second Goal - Pictures Taken By Andy Compton of the Hereford Journal/Shropshire Newspapers

With the ground staff having worked long hours to get the pitch playable, Martin Foyle named a side that included new signing Kingsley James in midfield with Dan Hanford recalled in place of James Bittner.

The Bulls kicked off attacking the Blackfriars end and showed early promise when Bowman’s flick fell for Clucas but keeper McMillan and Bowman’s own shot on the rebound was cleared blocked Sam’s effort.  A Corbett overlap produced a cross that Sharp got on the end of but his effort was hacked away.

Southport forced a couple of corners that were dealt with by the home rearguard before Poko blazed a shot well over from the edge of the box then Marley Watkins saw his attempt deflected for a corner.  The Bulls had a decent shout for a penalty on the half-hour when an apparent handball went un-noticed by the referee.

Bowman was unnecessarily lectured when a normal challenge saw Byrne collapse to the ground writhing about like a demented wallflower as the visitors started to demonstrate their renowned time wasting tactics.  Then on 32 minutes the visitors took the lead.

Whalley cut in from the left and when a half clearance fell kindly he was able to advance into the box and slot past Hanford from 12 yards.  The Bulls were quickly back onto the attack and when Watkins got behind the defence his pull-back from the bye line bobbled as Bowman shaped to shoot and his effort unfortunately screwed wide from 6 yards.

Musa’s long throw caused panic at the back and McMillan was forced to punch away for a corner.  O’Keefe’s flag kick was headed away and Kingsley James’ shot rose over the bar.  Marley Watkins was body-checked as he looked to break down the right and his quickly taken free kick enabled Corbett to release him into space.  Sadly, his low cross was held up on the deteriorating surface and failed to reach the waiting Sharp and Bowman.

HT Bulls 0 Southport 1

Marley Watkins Keeping His Eye On The Ball

Watkins was upended early in the second period but the free kick drifted harmlessly wide.  Corbett’s throw on the right found Sharp but his shot was blocked.  Scott Kay collected a yellow for a challenge on Corbett and Kingsley James soon joined him in the notebook for a late one on Kay while Poko suffered a similar fate for a nasty one on Sam Clucas.

The Bulls were looking more threatening but were still struggling to retain possession and when Southport won a corner on the left a second goal resulted.  Whalley sent in a teasing cross that Clucas was only able to half clear and Whalley was able to send in a cross which Neil Byrne glanced over Hanford and into the net.

Brian Smikle Riding A Challenge

Martin Foyle responded with a brace substitutions sending on Marlon Jackson and Smikle in place of Stam and Sharp.  The Bulls immediately looked brighter and Clucas slid a ball through to Bowman who calmly fired past McMillan from just inside the box to bring United back into the game.

Fired by the goal, Hereford roared back into the attack with Jackson and Watkins both raiding from the right and Clucas making darting runs from the left.  Smikle was bundled to the ground and from the resulting free kick The Bulls drew level on 40 minutes.

Sam Clucas sent in a probing cross that finished in the far corner of the net with O’Keefe claiming the last touch with a glance of the head.

McMillan Was Kept Busy In the Second Half

Five minutes were added to compensate for the blatant time wasting that, frankly, would have allowed Mrs Ex to pop to Tesco and do the weekly shop before returning without missing any of the action.  Sadly, the extra time brought little to excite the 1513 that included 83 from the north.

FT Bulls 2  Southport 2

Bulls: - Hanford, Corbett, Graham, Stam (Jackson 72), Musa, Watkins (MacDonald 88), James, O’Keefe, Clucas, Sharp (Smikle 72), Bowman. Unused: - Heath, Carruthers.

Southport: - McMillan, Smith, Grand, Owens, Byrne, Whalley, Ledsham, Benjamin (Parry 77), Chalmers, Kay, Poko.  Unused: - Hibbert, Joyce, Almond, Tames.

BN MOTM - Sam Clucas

It came as little surprise that this was no footballing masterpiece given the pitch conditions and the need to re-shuffle the pack following the comings and goings of the transfer window. 

There was plenty of effort but The Bulls struggled to overcome a Southport side that packed midfield and unashamedly spoilt the flow at every opportunity with their ponderous goal kicks and general time-consuming tactics.  Hopefully an improvement in conditions will allow enough ball time in training to graft the new acquisitions into a workable system in time for Saturday’s trip to Braintree who currently sit just one point below United.

A first visit to Cressing Road awaits.  See you next week.

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