Jamie Pitman's benefit match saw Bolton Wanderers run out 3-0 winners against Hereford United at Edgar Street. Chris Eagles powerbolt of a free-kick slipped past Adam Bartlett's grasp, before Darren Pratley curled in a controversial second. Kevin Davies rounded off the victory with a deft finish, in front of an encouraging 2,250 supporters, which included 184 in the away end.
United were boosted by the timely return of Stefan Stam to the defence, but trialist Albert Jarrett wasn't amongst the squad, hinting that a deal is all but dead for the winger. The visitors named a strong eleven, including England international Gary Cahill.
The Bulls started the game well, chasing down the ball at every opportunity, and generally looking more interested than in recent games.
The opener came 15 minutes in after Ryan Green was penalised for a foul on K. Davies; the set-piece was shifted right to Eagles, who powerfully struck past Bartlett (click on pic to enlarge), although the 'keeper will have felt he may have done better. Soon after, Mark Davies showed good feet inside the box, forcing Bartlett to push the ball around the post.
At the other end, a well-worked throw in move involving a flick by Stuart Fleetwood into the path of James McQuilkin allowed the midfielder an opportunity to fire goalwards, but his powerful effort was well blocked. Hereford should have been level when a fine move was wasted by Fleetwood. Green's measured through ball split the Wanderers back-line, allowing Joe Colbeck to race in behind the back-line, and his pull across found Fleetwood unmarked, but a left-foot shot went back across goal, when it looked easier to score. Eagles nearly added to his earlier strike, when Bartlett failed to hold on to a Martin Petrov cross but the former Manchester United youngster screwed his shot past the post.
Early in the second-half, a slip by the otherwise impressive Stam allowed K. Davies in but he couldn't find a finish to beat Bartlett. Eagles then went onto sting the palms of Bartlett with a ferecious long-range effort, whilst moments later, Harry Pell was caught in possession by Fabrice Muama allowing the England Under 21 international to break at speed. Muamba eventually slipped in Petrov, with the Bulgarian poking the ball goalwards but he was denied by a hand from Bartlett, and a clearance by Joe Heath.
Wanderers wrapped up victory with two quick-fire strikes. Paul Robinson sent a through ball into the path of Pratley, who made no mistake with a precise finish. The home supporters were frustrated as Pratley, although onside from the Robinson pass, looked offside when K. Davies appeared to get a slight touch to the ball. The veteran, who was recently capped for England, got his name on the score-sheet, when Petrov's deft pass split the Bulls' back-line and Davies dinked the ball over the outrushing Bartlett.
Hereford rallied for the final ten or so minutes, with the introduction of Yoann Arquin providing fresh impetus to the forward line. The Frenchman's head down set up Colbeck, who saw a 20 yard left-foot drive held by Rob Lainton. Arquin was again involved, bouncing off two challenges to drive into the box with the ball, before picking out McQuilkin, with the former West Brom trainee's strike deflected out for a corner. Pitman's cameo appearence was met with a huge cheer by the home support, and the manager showed some decent touches, setting up a chance for McQuilkin, who dummied before curling past the far post with his left-foot.
Despite the scoreline, Hereford will be pleased with their workout this evening ahead of Saturday's opener at Southend. There was more bite and desire on the field than in recent friendlies, and the fans seemed to appreciate this come the end of the encounter. Bolton played a patient game, and kept possession, whilst looking lively coming forward, as is expected with a Premiership team. With five days to go to Roots Hall, Pitman will be working hard to potentially add a new face to his team, before deciding which eleven players have done enough to warrant a starting place.
Hereford: Bartlett; Purdie, Stam, Green, Heath; Colbeck, Lunt, McQuilkin, Pell, Fleetwood; Facey.
Subs: Hoult, Townsend (for Stam), Arquin (for Facey), Kovacs, Weir, Williams (for Colbeck), Pitman (for Lunt).
Bolton: Lainton, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Eagles, Reo Coker, Muamba, Petrov, K Davies, M Davies.
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Mears (for Steinsson), Klasnic, Pratley (for Reo Coker), Wheater (for Knight), Blake (for Petrov)
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