BULLS FLOUNDER

As I sat waiting for London Midland’s finest to ferry me home, two notices caught my eye. Firstly, an ad for something known as Gatorade (other soft drinks are available) which offered the chance to “Win a trip to see the Bulls in Chicago”. Now I know we haven’t featured in the FA Trophy for some time, but since when did the Windy City enter the competition? Close by was a help button which you could press “if you are in distress”. Though far too early for Hereford fans to consider this, what a difference a week makes! A plucky defeat courtesy of two special strikes at Newport was followed by an inept display this afternoon. The well-organised Grimsby side comfortably withstood any attacking threat the Bulls could muster, and deservedly won the game with two goals just prior to the interval..

Brian Smikle started in place of the injured and influential Marley Watkins in an otherwise unchanged side. Sam Clucas looked lively early on and sent in a couple of teasing crosses. Chris Carruthers found the head of Sean Canham and James McKeown, the Town stopper, made a clean catch. Canham then played in Tom Nichols who shot tamely when well placed. Clucas crossed to the near post but Nichols could not gain sufficient altitude to head goal-wards, and Smikle was too ambitious with a long range effort. For their part the visitors seemed at ease in defence, and started to produce some telling moves of their own..

Simon Clist trying get his foot on the ball - pictures taken by Andy Compton of the Hereford Journal

Derek Niven and Andy Cook exchanged passes and neatly set up substitute Dayle Southwell, on for the injured Greg Pearson, to head narrowly off target, and then Cook headed against the top of the crossbar. Most thought that Dan Hanford had got a touch, but a goal kick was awarded. Niven was proving influential with some telling interceptions and sensible distribution. Aswad Thomas also deserves a mention for his awareness, energy and creativity from his left back berth, while Bradley Wood, at 20 hardly an Ancient Mariner, looked a determined and effective player..

Sam Clucas gets the better of former Bull Joe Colbeck

After some uncharacteristic hesitancy in the Bulls back line, the visitors then took a 40th minute lead. Ex Bull Joe Colbeck won a corner which Hanford cleared from the box. However, Thomas was first to react and turned the ball back into the area where Southwell controlled neatly before shooting into the Hereford netting. Although an immediate counterthrust took place, Carruthers and Canham’s interplay almost setting up Smikle, it was the visitors that were soon to double their advantage. Frankie Artus expertly created a chance for Cook, whose shot was beaten out by Michael Townsend at the expense of a corner. Colbeck delivered a wicked ball which bounced around the area, Cook hit the bar before defensive stalwart Shaun Pearson bundled it home. Only a minute to go before the break, and no further action, though some lively debate about the scorer’s resemblance to a character (Quark?) from Star Wars did occupy the faithful..

HT: HUFC 0 GRIMSBY TOWN 2

Thomas once more was quick to intercept a ball out of defence and produce a curling cross which Luke Graham headed clear. Martin Foyle made his intentions clear with some attacking substitutions as the second half progressed, though in truth, despite plenty of possession, Hereford posed little danger to the visitors’ back line and barely produced a shot worthy of the name..

Sub Tristan Plummer came on for Brian Smikle

Ryan Bowman was poised for an attempt but Thomas whipped it away in the nick of time, and then he had a shot blocked after a quick free kick awarded when Wood had tripped. Cook shot straight at Hanford when ideally placed and a delightful move involving Artus, Niven and Thomas ended disappointingly for the vociferous Mariners fans when Cook headed meekly over. Harry Pell, still polarising opinion I see, did not have one of his better games with some wayward distribution, though a lack of movement from colleagues cannot have helped his cause. Tristram Plummer took on Thomas and got in a near post attempt that forced a save from McKeown. Pell and Wood had some protracted disagreements and a little deployment of handbags that earned both a booking..

Young Nichols had previously been wayward with some of his shooting, but he produced a real corker as the seconds ticked away. The ball was bound for the top corner until McKeown, leaping like a salmon, managed to (fish) finger the ball to safety. A few more misPLAICEd passes followed, and that was that.

FT:HUFC 0 GRIMSBY TOWN 2

Attendance: 2059, including 242 from Cleethorpes and district.

HUFC: Hanford, Gallinah, Townsend, Graham, Carruthers, Smikle (Plummer 59), Pell, Clist (Sammons 64), Clucas, Nichols, Canham (Bowman 60).

GRIMSBY TOWN: Mckeown, Thomas, S Pearson , Niven, Colbeck, Disley, Artus, Wood, Pond, Cook (Elding 76), G Pearson (Southwell 25).