BULLS RETURN TO WINNING WAYS

Ryan Bowman, Stefan Stam and Ashley Sammons made this evening’s starting line-up, replacing Tom Nichols, Michael Townsend and Simon Clist. Looking quite good value for a 2-0 interval lead, visitors Woking enjoyed considerably more possession after the break, with the home side finally hanging on to all three points.
Harry Pell raced onto a diagonal ball from the energetic Sam Clucas, but was given a slight nudge at the crucial moment, though the appeal for a penalty was half-hearted. Bowman, now looking as fit as a butcher’s dog, showed both skill and determination to create an opening for Sammons who applied a lime green boot to dispatch a splendid 5th minute, 25 yarder past the flailing grasp of Aaron Howe in the Woking goal. An early goal, and two corner kicks followed- Stam almost connected with the first, and then Brian Smikle could not reach a centre from Sean Canham.

Sean Canham wins a header - pictures taken by Linda Richards

After a botched clearance, Chris Carruthers won possession and planted a useful ball onto Clucas’s head, but his attempt failed to trouble Howe. Bowman’s speedy run and cross for Smikle was met with a bullet header which Howe initially fumbled before falling on the loose ball. At the other end a terrific cross from Mike Cestor (please tell me there is an Ann in his family tree) was dealt with by Luke Graham’s powerful headed clearance. Ex Bull Gavin McCallum caused some consternation in the Bulls box with some wickedly -driven corner kicks as Woking tried to level proceedings.

Andy Gallinah then joined the attack and fed Sammons who made a good connection, but Howe again made the save. The full back was then caught out by the pace of McCallum. The pudding basin flew down the wing and delivered a great pass for Loick Pires, who should have done better than to shoot straight at Dan Hanford. Bowman, Smikle and Pell then cleverly worked an opening for Clucas, who showed instant control, but nudged the ball wide of goal. Bowman then dragged a shot past the post when well-positioned. However, a minute before half-time, Hereford doubled their advantage. Clucas chased what looked like a lost cause, showed sufficient determination to win the ball and send an unstoppable shot high into the Woking goal.

Man of the Match Sam Clucas

HT: HUFC 2 WOKING 0

What's he claiming?

Woking manager Gary Hill will not want to be reminded of his last encounter with the Bulls (there, I’ve done it), but todays half time team talk certainly served to motivate his charges. Adam Newton whipped in a cross for Lee Sawyer, and a useful run by the experienced Kevin Betsy needed a further intervention. Sawyer in particular started to run the midfield, as Hereford tended to back off, and his shrewd, accurate distribution looked likely to get the Cards back into the game. Together with Betsy and McCallum, chances were created, but a lack of that vital finishing touch, and some fine blocks by the home defence combined to keep Woking at bay.

Clucas pounced as Joe McNerney tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick, and almost found Sammons in space, and the ball went to the other end of the field where Dean Sinclair created a chance for Pires, and then Sawyer repeated the trick for Sinclair, but both times a block came to the Bulls rescue. Hereford had chances to make the points safe, Canham and Smikle sending over a ball that Bowman headed home, but celebrations were cut short by a linesman’s flag. Stam’s long range effort was well saved, and then Howe’s fingertips were all that prevented a Clucas shot from putting the Bulls in the comfort zone after Bowman had smartly chested the ball into his path. Sub Will Evans then wrong-footed the full back and passed to Pell who lashed it wide.

Harry Pell getting away from former Bull Gavin McCallum

Hanford was called into action to save smartly from McCallum who had been left alone in the area. From the resultant corner by Sinclair, he seemed to have palmed the ball to safety, but in fact it went straight to Betsy who rather untidily bundled it home to set up a nervous last 8 minutes. This was no more than the visitors deserved for their second half dominance. As the minutes ticked by, caution was thrown somewhat to the wind in an attempt to equalise, and the gaps that started to appear meant that it was Hereford who came closest to troubling the scorer, most notably when Tom Nichols found space and was unfortunate to see a shot cannon off the woodwork. Time was finally called by Mr Evans (who merits praise for his handling of the game) and a rather disappointing crowd could celebrate a return to winning ways.

FT: HUFC 2 WOKING 1

Attendance: 1481, including 54 from Woking.

HUFC: Hanford, Gallinah, Graham, Carruthers, Smikle (Plummer 85), Pell, Clucas, Sammons (Evans 67), Canham, Bowman (Nichols 83).

WOKING: Howe, Newton, Cestor (Doyle46), McNerney, Parkinson, Johnson, Ricketts (Frith 76), Betsy, Sawyer, McCallum, Pires (Sinclair 60).