Bulls take point at the meatless New Lawn.

Chris Bush Enjoying The Moment

A Chris Bush blockbuster cancelled out an “offside” goal by Marcus Kelly as The Bulls fought back for a valuable share of the spoils this evening in Nailsworth.

Frankie Artus rejoined the starting line-up in place of the departed Damon Lathrope and Rob Purdie replaced Eric Odhiambo on the bench while, for the Gumpers, 37year-old Lee Hughes made his debut following his move from Port Vale and Jerome Binnom-Williams started in defence for the first game of his loan spell from Crystal Palace.

The Bulls kicked off attacking the HUFC fans in the visitors end but Marcus Kelly had the first chance when he blazed over in the opening minute.  Forest Green got the ball in the net but the effort was rightly rules out for offside before Daniel Lloyd-Weston brought off a fine save from Kelly to push the ball round the post as The Bulls were put under heavy early pressure.

Good work by Micah Evans earned a corner and, following a half-clearance, Rankine was unlucky with his back post attempt in the twentieth minute.

With The Bulls appearing to get to grips with the game, the balance of play evened out but the hosts continued to produce the more accurate passing moves with Barry and Bangura prominent.

Sharp tried a curler from distance that sailed wide and, at the other end, Norwood was similarly off target with a shot from outside the box. 

HT FGR 0 Bulls 0

The second period opened with Norwood firing wide when well placed. Artus was harshly penalised when he appeared to get the ball but the free kick was competently dealt with by Danny Lloyd-Weston.  Then seven minutes into the second period Forest Green took a dubious lead. 

Kelly fired in a shot that Wright had to stoop to avoid and with Lloyd-Weston partly unsighted the ball nestled into the net.  After consulting his flag-waving assistant, despite Wright clearly interfering with play, referee Kevin Johnson awarded the goal.

Lee Hughes had his first effort of note soon afterwards but it sailed wide of the target.  Jon Brown over hit a cross that went for a goal kick.  Hughes caught Lloyd-Weston with a late challenge to earn a yellow card.  Hughes then cut in from the left and saw his shot glance off the crossbar before The Bulls drew level with a stunning Chris Bush equaliser.

Micah Evans whipped in a cross from the left and when the ball ballooned into the air Bush watched the ball down and opened an angle with a neat turn and fired in a fierce drive from just inside the box with fifteen minutes remaining.

Chris Bush Scored Hereford's Equaliser

Russell was quickly off his line to deny Michael Rankine as The Bulls strove for the winner.  Bush launched a couple of long throws into the box without effect and substitute Dan Walker made some determined runs down the right but Lloyd-Weston had to react well to tip a Reece Styche shot over in added time.  Bennett collected a straight red and was dismissed for the hosts for showing extreme dissent.  Finally, Chris Bush fired a free kick straight at Russell but neither team could find the winner.

FT FGR 1 Bulls 1

Bulls:- Lloyd-Weston, Collins (Leadbitter 66), Graham, McDonald, Bush, Artus (Walker 66), O’Keefe, Brown, Evans, Sharp, Rankine.  Subs unused, Purdie, Edge, Edwards.

FGR:- Russell, Binnom-Williams (Brogan 61), Racine (Turley 46), Bennett, Asafu-Adjaye, Barry, Bangura, Kelly, Norwood, Wright (Styche 82), Hughes.  Subs unused, Kukowski, Bulman.

BN Man of The Match – Danny Lloyd-Weston

Dan Lloyd-Weston Pulled Off Some Great Saves

After a shaky start, The Bulls worked their way into the game after being penned back in the first twenty minutes or so.  Ranks won his usual share of the battle up top but the ball failed to fall to create any real opportunities.  Forest Green, again, played some neat but largely ineffective football as The Bulls’ defence looked generally solid.  The opening goal sparked The Bulls into life prompting the thought that a more positive start might have resulted in a full haul.

The final twenty minutes found Foyle’s troops more to the fore and United fully deserved the hard-earned point to send the estimated 300 Hereford fans in a crowd of 1077 home reasonably content.

Next up is the Edgar Street visit of Southport in a little over a week on Saturday 18^th January.

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