Following Boxing Day’s loss to local rivals Kidderminster Harriers, Bulls boss Martin Foyle made only one change to the starting 11 dropping Frankie Artus in favour of Jon Brown.
Forest Green Rovers kicked off and were the first side to have a shot. Marcus Kelly tried his luck from 20 yards, but the early shot went wide of Daniel Lloyd-Weston’s goal.
Hereford were awarded a free kick minutes into the game, by referee Simon Bennett following a foul on Rankine by Forest’s Rancine. Rod McDonald sent the ball wide with his left footed shot, from Bush’s free kick.
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| Jon Brown Replaced Frankie Artus In The Starting XI |
The Bulls proved the greatest threat in the first period creating a number of chances in front of the cameras. Following some good footwork by Rankine, he allowed Jon Brown to take a shot from the wing, but visiting keeper Sam Russell saved easily. More pressure was to come from the Bulls, and following O’Keefe winning the ball from a clean tackle in midfield, Micah Evans used the wing effectively, only to drag his shot wide.
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| Michael Rankine Being Watched By Three FGR Defenders |
Jon Brown conceded a free kick on the edge of the danger area, following, what looked to be, a very clean challenge. Forest’s Forbes took the free kick and managed to send it right into the wall. The follow up shot was too high to trouble Lloyd-Weston.
Dominic Collins passed down the flank to Burnley loanee Micah Evans. Evans showed determination and managed to cut inside his man and crossed the ball into the heart of the box. The ball made it through a number of bodies in the box until Jon Brown struck the ball cleanly into the bottom left of the Gumpers’ net.
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| Jon Brown Celebrates His Goal |
Forest Green were eager to strike back straight away, when Al Bangura’s snapshot was tipped over the bar by Lloyd-Weston. The following corner was well defended and came to nothing for the visitors.
Chris Sharp won the ball in the heart of the field and carried forward to present a threat to the Gumpers’ defence. His shot from the edge of the box was deflected out for a United corner. Lathrope’s corner was headed away and saw Forest quickly break on the counter attack. Kelly’s shot was parried by Lloyd-Weston and eventually gathered.
As the first half drew to a close, the Whites created another chance when Rankine flicked onto Sharp who gave the onrushing Brown a goal-worthy chance only for his shot to go wide of the upright.
HT: Hereford 1 – Forest Green Rovers 0
Micah Evans intercepted a pass from the Gumpers’ midfield and took the ball goal-ward. His shot from the right was convincingly caught by Russell.
A period of Forest Green pressure was to follow, ending with a free kick into the box. The on-target ball was parried out for a corner by keeper by Lloyd-Weston. Bush did well to head the ball clear, but Anthony Barry was on hand to strike a ball right into the hands of Lloyd-Weston.
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| No Hereford Player Could Get On The End Of This Cross From Micah Evans |
Rankine and Brown combined well when Rankine crossed the ball into the box to give Brown the chance of getting his second of the game, but he headed the ball wide of the upright for a goal kick.
After returning from his suspension following the incident at Lincoln, Daniel Leadbitter was brought on 22 minutes into the second half to replace Dom Collins. The Gumpers’ also made a change 6 minutes after the Bulls, and substitute Stephen Brogan made an instant impact on the game, when his right footed shot was sent wide.
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| New Signing Jamie Edge Came On As A Sub |
Despite Martin Foyle making more changes to the starting XI, the Bulls couldn’t double their lead. Both teams created chances in the dying stages of the game. Micah Evans won a throw which Leadbitter took short to Lathrope. Lathrope released Evans who skipped past 2 defenders and into the box, but his low cross come shot was saved by Russell.
FT: Hereford 1 – Forest Green 0
Att: 1,848 with 150 travelling from Nailsworth.
Sponsors’ MotM: Damon Lathrope.
Hereford: Lloyd-Weston, Collins (Leadbitter 68’), Graham, McDonald, Bush, Evans, O’Keefe, Lathrope, Brown, Rankine (Walker 79’), Sharp (Edge 84’). Subs not used: Edwards, Odhiambo.
Forest Green: Russell, Forbes, Racine, Bennett, Asafu-Adjaye, Barry, Bangura, Kelly (Brogan 73’), Taylor (Barnes-Homer 63’), Wright (Alabi 63’), Norwood. Subs not used: Styche, McHugh.
This was a good hardworking performance from the Bulls, who closed down the opposition at every opportunity. Every player gave their all, which was lacking in the first half of the previous game at Kidderminster. Hopefully they can repeat this performance in the next game against the Harriers and redeem themselves after the 2-1 loss at Aggborough earlier in the week. A mention must also be given to the 1698 Hereford supporters who created a very good atmosphere inside Edgar Street this evening – more of this please!
The return fixture of Kidderminster on Wednesday is up next, see you there.
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