From The Archives - Bulls Defeat Burnley 21 Years Ago

21 years ago Hereford United were in the same league as teams like Cardiff City and Blackpool and on this very day the Bulls played Burnley at Edgar Street.

Sept 14th 1991:

HEREFORD United 2 Burnley 0

There was a terrific start to the game between two in form teams. Hereford came close in the very first minute, only to be denied by Andy Marriott, but Burnley were just about the better of the two sides.

However just nine minutes into the game Burnley were down to ten men when John Francis was sent off in near farcical circumstances. There was an incident off the ball that left Francis down injured and whilst he was receiving treatment he was told by referee Peter Jones that he was going to be sent off.

Jones later confirmed that he'd been sent off for elbowing Hereford's Mel Pejic but after the game both Francis and Pejic confirmed it hadn't happened.

Three minutes later a Simon Brain shot was saved by Marriott but the rebound fell kindly for Steve Lowndes who made no mistake.

Eli almost put Burnley level just after half-time but on 56 minutes Hereford doubled their lead. Mark Monington carelessly lost possession of the ball just outside his own box. That enabled Brain to cross the ball for Peter Heritage to score.

The Bulls then settled for that in what then became a tedious second half although Burnley should have had the clearest of penalties right at the end of the game only for Jones to incredibly award a free kick for handball outside the box.

The result lifted Hereford into second place, amongst a cluster of four clubs on 13 points with Rotherham United now in first place.


Hereford United: Tony Elliott, Chris Fry, Greg Downs, Andy Theodosiou, Steve Devine, Steve Lowndes, Derek Hall, Mel Pejic, Simon Brain, Peter Heritage, Jon Narbett. Subs not used: David Titterton, Henry Caffrey.

Burnley: Andy Marriott, David Hamilton (Joe Jakub 15), Steve Harper, Steve Davis, John Pender, Mark Monington, Roger Eli, Mark Yates, John Francis, Mike Conroy, Andy Farrell. Sub not used: Ian Bray.

Referee: Peter Jones (Loughborough).

Attendance: 4,400.

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Hyde defeat 'Hurt' admits Foyle

Martin Foyle has told the Worcester News that he and his staff have had a 'nightmare week' after the 5-2 defeat at Hyde last Saturday.

"It hurts and it has hurt the players which is the most important thing," said the Hereford United manager.

"The reaction in training has been very positive and we certainly won't let that happen again.

"I won't be afraid to change a winning side or a losing side.

"You have always got to look for a response at any level after defeats and I always say good players will bounce back.

"We know Dartford will probably be a harder game than Hyde but we have been through the Hyde game defeensively and from a midfield point of view - we were not closing dow."

The paper suggests Michael Townsend may return to the squad for tomorrow's match.

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News Round-Up

Southport have signed keeper Zac Hibbert and full back Liam Willis. Hibbert has played for a number of local sides, while Willis was in the Sandgrounders youth team before being snapped up by Wigan. Rotherham are investigating ways to stream their game tomorrow live to boss Steve Evans' house so he can manage the team from his sofa. The plan needs Football League approval, with plan 'B' seeing Evans undertake a scouting trip to their next opponents, Wimbledon.

Talks on investment into Newport have collapsed with a consortium of local businessmen accusing the club's current board of not fully disclosing the club's accounts. The board say the consortium refused to tell it their intentions amid claims they were prepared to put £750,000 into the club over three years. Truro City boss Lee Hodges says he will still be able to field a team after four of his squad quit this week. He is likely to have to dip into the youth team to fill the bench.

Llanelli are reported to have been warned by the Welsh league that they have to sort out their debt problems in the next three weeks to avoid being blacklisted by UEFA. They are reported to owe wages to several players as well as rent on their ground and training base, and will fall foul of new financial rules that will see them also kicked out of the Welsh Premier for next season.

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Preview: Dartford vs Bulls

The Bulls travel to Dartford on Saturday for a first ever trip to Princes Park.

The two sides haven't met in 40 years since being regular combatants in the Southern League. The Bulls won half of the 40 matches between 1947 and March 1972, when the Bulls won 1-0 at Dartford's old Watling Street ground, with the Darts winning 10. A 1974 attempt by them to follow the Bulls into the Football League failed and they haven't got close since, dropping as low as the 9th level of the pyramid before current manager Tony Burman, and the 2006 opening of Princes Park, resurrected their fortunes.

After losing their opening three matches, the Darts went on a four match winning streak before losing after the long trek to Gateshead last weekend. They have won their last three home games including Newport last time out, and sit just a point behind the Bulls. Former Southend forward Harry Crawford is their main threat with five goals already this term, with the 20 year old having scored two of his three Shrimpers goals against the Bulls in December 2010.

The Bulls travel to Kent looking to quickly right the wrongs of last Saturday's capitulation to Hyde. The arrival of Byron Anthony, whose arrival largely shored up a leaky defence last term, has pleased many with Luke Graham and Stefan Stam yet to look comfortable as a pair in Michael Townsend's absence. The return to fitness of Marley Watkins will also be cheered by the fans, who have missed his trickery in recent games.

Dartford vs Hereford United, Princes Park, Saturday 15th September, 3.00pm.

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We Have To Take The Game To Them says Foyle

Hereford United travel to Dartford later today for a Conference League match tomorrow at 3pm. Manager Martin Foyle will hope his side can bounce back from last Saturday's 5-2 defeat at Hyde.

"London teams aren't they," Foyle told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"The unexpected at home and away, I don't think London teams travel so well.

"So it's going to be a good tough test.

"They've won three at home similar to ourselves.

"So we've got to make sure we're on our front boots and we've got to take the game to them again"

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News Round-Up

Telford have signed defender Liam Chilvers on a short term deal due to their current injury crisis. The 31 year old was released by Notts County in the summer. Gateshead have handed teenage striker Ryan McGorrigan a further months contract after his initial month long deal expired. The former Newcastle trainee has made five sub appearances so far this season.

Forest Green have handed defender Aaran Racine a two year deal after he signed a short term contract in the summer. The 20 year old signed for the Gumpers from Southampton. Former Bulls loanee Jason Price scored again as Prestatyn went joint top of the Welsh Premier with a 1-0 win over TNS.

Macclesfield have agreed a fee with Stalybridge over the signing of striker Arthur Gnahoua. The free agent had been training with the Silkmen over the summer after turning down a contract with the Conf North side. Cambridge have signed Cheltenham full back Danny Andrew on loan for an initial month. The 21 year old is yet to feature this season, ending last term on loan at Mansfield.

Wrexham say they have finally received international clearance for striker Andy Bishop, with it being revealed that he turned down Luton to sign for the Dragons. Lincoln are to sign Nottm Forest midfielder David Morgan. The 18 year old is yet to make his first team debut but he has been called into the Northern Ireland u21 side.

Southport are to loan Matt Nemes and Aaron Chalmers to Droylsden, while Louis Barnes is expected to join Chorley. None of the trio are yet to play for the Sandgrounders this season. Stockport have signed midfielder Matty Mainwaring on non-contract terms. The 22 year old has already had two spells with the club, and was released by Hull in the summer. 

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Watkins Expected To Play On Saturday

Winger Marley Watkins to expected to be back in the starting eleven for Hereford United at Dartford on Saturday according to manager Martin Foyle.

And there is a chance that Marlon Jackson could take some part in the game.

Both Watkins and Jackson have missed the last couple of games through injury.

"Marley trained again today so he should be fine for the weekend," Foyle told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"Marlon, whether I take the risk or give him another week to make sure he is 100% right, I don't know.

Meanwhile, as reported earlier, Byron Anthony is back with the Bulls.

"He's one I've been trying (to sign) for a while," said Foyle.

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Anthony re-joins United

Former Bristol Rovers defender Byron Anthony has joined Hereford United on non-contract terms, the official website has confirmed.

Anthony spent the last few months of last season at Edgar Street on loan from the Gasmen, making sixteen appearences and hitting the net once at Bradford in a 1-1 draw.

Earlier this month he had a trial at Torquay.

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Waitrose Remain Committed To Hereford

Despite the delays in starting the redevelopment of the dis-used livestock market close to Hereford United's Edgar Street ground, Waitrose remain committed to opening a supermarket on the site.

Last week Next revealed that it expected to relocate from Maylords Orchard in the centre of Hereford to a site in Holmer Road as opposed to the livestock market, certainly in the short-term.

This announcement sparked speculation that the revelopment might be in trouble but the confirmation that Waitrose are hoping to open on the site suggests that at least one of the major players is convinced it will go ahead.

"Waitrose is firmly committed to opening a store as part of this development," said a spokesman for the company.

"We are looking forward to achieving a long-standing ambition to have a store in Hereford.

"We aim to start on site in the autumn and open in spring 2014."

It's thought that once any building starts on the market site, Hereford United may receive more interest in developing the two ends of Edgar Street.

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Dartford Travel

Dartford FC v Hereford United

Blue Square Premier

Saturday 15^th September 2012 KO 3.00 pm.

Princes Park

Darenth Road

Dartford

Kent

DA1 1RT

Phone 01322 299990

Dartford are old foes from decades ago in The Southern League days of the 1960's.  They started like in 1888 as members of Dartford Working Man's Club decided to form a football team and gradually progressed through the Kent League to become founder members of the Southern League in 1896/97.  The usual ups and downs followed until a brief but ultimately destructive association with ground sharing Maidstone United led to them having to sell their ground in 1992 to clear debts.  The club withdrew from the Southern League four games into the 1992/93 season.

By the November a phoenix club had been formed and, when managed by former player Tony Burman, they once again joined the Kent League.  Steady progress took them to the Doc Martin's and eventually, in 2006/7 they moved to their present home at Princes Park with the help of funding from Dartford Borough Council.  Burman’s return to the manager’s role following a short absence kick-started the club and by 2010/11 they were competing in the Conference South.  Promotion to the Blue Square Premier came at the end of 2011/12 when they defeated Welling in the play-off final.

Princes Park has a capacity of 4097 with 642 seated.  Visiting fans are accommodated in the covered "Car Park End" terrace with a small number of seats (24?) made available in the main stand.

ADMISSION – Adults £15, Over 65's and U18's £8 and U12's £3.

HUISA – Departs from Radford's at 8.30 am with a fare of £22 (non-members £24).  Seats can be booked through The Club office (08442 761939).

TRAIN – Dartford is served by trains from London Charing Cross and London Bridge.  Dartford station is a little over a mile (15/20 minutes walk) from the ground.  There are buses (to Bluewater Shopping Centre) that pass Princes Park or a taxi should cost a fiver (ish).

BY CAR – This is an M25 job so you have a choice of M40 and the M25 northerly route or M4 and the southerly M25 route (appears to be about 10 miles further). 

Using the northerly clockwise route, leave the M25 at J1B (having paid your £1.50 at the Dartford Crossing) and take the left-hand slip road for the A225 (sign Dartford).  At the roundabout at the end of the slip road above the motorway turn right the Esso garage onto the A225 towards Dartford. Go straight across the next roundabout, passing a BP garage on the right. At the next set of traffic lights turn left into Darenth Road and then take the second left into Grassbanks for the stadium. (175 miles)

The southerly anti-clockwise route will require you to leave the M25 at J2 (sign A2, Dartford A225).  At the roundabout below the roundabout take the Dartford A225 exit. At the next roundabout take the 1st exit by the Esso garage onto the A225 towards Dartford. Go straight across the next roundabout, passing a BP garage on the right. At the next set of traffic lights turn left into Darenth Road and then take the second left into Grassbanks for the stadium. (185 miles)  SAT NAV - DA1 1RT

PARKING – There is a free 300-space car park at the ground with additional parking available at the nearby Orchards Shopping Centre (£2?).

ALEHOUSES - There are two good-sized bars at the stadium, which also have SKY television. However it remains to be seen after Dartford's promotion, whether away supporters will continue to be allowed entry. The nearest pub to the ground is the Ivy Leaf on Darenth Road, which is about a five-minute walk away (from the stadium entrance turn right along Darenth Road, cross over the main road at the traffic lights and the pub is further up Darenth Road on the right). A better bet may be the Malt Shovel, which is further along Darenth Road on the left. This pub, which is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, also does food. Otherwise Dartford Town Centre is around a 15-minute walk away, where there are plenty of pubs to be found. Ones of note are the CAMRA Good Beer Guide listed Wat Tyler on the High Street, the Paper Moon Wetherspoons outlet opposite and another Wetherspoons outlet called the Flying Boat on Spital Street. (Taken from footballgroundguide.com).  Meanwhile, I have heard that The Royal Oak on Spital Street serves the full range of well-kept Shepherds Neame (Spitfire) products.

CHIPS – Princes Fish Bar as you approach on the A225 just before the BP garage roundabout.  Royal Fish Bar on East Hill near The Malt Shovel.

SORT IT OUT ROSIE.

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Guinan Coaching Appointment

Former Bulls' striker Steve Guinan has been appointed as Assistant Coach to the Great Britain Mens Football Team for the World University Games in Russia.

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News Round-Up

Kettering played last night's match with Wisbech Town in their away kit after a local laundrette refused to hand over their freshly washed home kit after the club was unable to pay the bill. Former Bull Moses Ashikodi made his international debut for Antigua and Barbuda in their 1-0 loss to Guatemala as a sub in the last minute.

Braintree have received criticism from Cambridge manager Jez George after they returned loan striker Michael Gash to Cambridge with a broken wrist. The U's sent the former York man for a scan after Braintree staff only strapped up the injury. Ebbsfleet chairman Jessica McQueen has defender her club's ticket pricing policy following complaints that £15 is too much to charge. Her full article is here.

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Youth Team Defeated

Hereford United's youth team were defeated 5-3 by Shrewsbury this evening at Edgar Street.

The game was part of the group stage of the Midlands Youth Cup.

As well as Hereford and Shrewsbury, Port Vale are in the same group. 

The visitors went a goal up when Home keeper Moore spilled a cross shot leaving the Shrewsbury player with a simple tap-in.  The young shrews then doubled their lead before the break with a solid finish.

Shortly after the interval, a third goal arrived when a shot from way out near the touchline drifted in at the far post.

The Bulls rallied with a well-worked goal of their own before a converted penalty brought the score back to 2-3.  Another long-range effort and a shot from the edge of the box sealed the fate of the young Bulls.

The visitors were the better side and deserved their win but it’s fair to say that some wasteful work in the final third by the hosts and a couple of deceptive long shots contributed to the final score.

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News Round-Up

The new Portsmouth bid is reported to be fronted by former club owner Sulaiman Al Fahim, whose offer for the club is reported to be £12.5million in total. Al Fahim owned the club for 40 days in 2009. Grimsby are trialling former Chesterfield winger Dean Morgan. The 28 year old is a free agent and was released by the Spireites in the summer after ending the season on loan at Oxford.

Truro City Administrator Kate Breeze says the club needs to find a buyer quickly, saying the club has no money left to continue. Up to six player are reported to have quit the club that is so broke that it had to put out a plea to supporters to return the goalkeeper shirt of departing stopper Tim Sandercombe, after he threw it into the crowd, as they couldn't afford a replacement.

Barrow have released striker Vinny Mukendi by mutual consent. The former Macclesfield forward is reported to have personal issues and wants to play part-time. His loan spell at Tamworth has been cancelled after just one game. Cambridge midfielder Adam Miller has quit player due to a persistent ankle injury. The 30 year old picked up the injury two years ago after just five games for the U's.

Former Bulls misfit Kern Miller has been made an offer by United Counties League side Spalding United. Mansfield midfielder Gary Roberts will miss a month after picking up an ankle injury in training. The former Port Vale and Rotherham playmaker has started five of the Stags matches this term.

 

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Zumbathon raised £500 for Charity

The Hereford Haven has given a 'big thank you to over 100 people who took part in a giant zumbathon on Sunday 9th September at Hereford United Football Stadium.'

The event raised £500 for The Mayor's Charities, including The Hereford Haven.

It is hoped there will be a similar event next year.

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From The Archives - Liason Meeting In September 1997

15 years ago HUISA held regular liason meetings with them manager Graham Turner. Here's a look back at a meeting which took place on September 11th 1997.

The latest Liaison Committee meeting with Graham Turner took place at Edgar Street this evening (report from HUISA)

Whatever you might think of GT as a manager, few could criticise him for ducking his responsibilities to the fans. I can think of many a manager (including those that we have had in the recent past) who would not have wanted to sit and talk, direct to fans, after the start we have made to the season. That said the following is a summary of the issues discussed:

GT said that we needed two or three experienced players as a matter of some urgency. Agana is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks and his first priority therefore was a striker, as Grayson and Foster have shown that they are not the "ideal" partnership up front. At the time he said that he saw no chance of getting someone in before the Northwich game; Milner only became available on Friday! He has spoken to Darren Beckford, but he appears to be going to Rushden and Diamonds (they've obviously rumbled the Donkey).

Beyond that, he was looking to get an experienced keeper in, which given that 6 from 11 goals were directly attributable to GK error prior to Northwich (now 7 from 13), hardly came as surprising news. GT was at a loss to explain the "loss of form" of both keepers so far this season. Whilst neither DeBont nor Macca, have looked world beaters in the past, I cannot them making the sort of basic errors we have seen so far this season, at least not on such a consistent basis. If I were them I'd start looking at the Situations Vacant column! Charles West who had such a good game at Gloucester pre-season, is not to be offered a contract; GT says simply that he's not good enough at present. Whilst not given that much to do, Mark Gayle, on loan from Crewe, (see below) looked much more the part against Kettering.

GT is also looking for an experienced Midfield player and Centre Half, but is having trouble prising players away from other clubs so early in the season, even when they are now in the first team. He has also given Telford the 7 days notice required, before he can approach their 20 year old non-contract centre half, James Bentley. An ex Man City "player", GT has likened him to Nigel Pearson and is hopeful that he will sign.

The new players, will take GT further over the "football budget" he has been set by the Board, but he is not being restricted in his actions as yet! The obvious conclusion is however that the peripheral squad members, particularly those who do not have contracts for the season, will be on their way in the near future. GT told us that Cook and Warner are now prepared to sign contracts, but that he is not!

The main part of the meeting however was devoted to Team performances so far this season. GT was quizzed on motivation, commitment, tactics and the use of substitutes. On the first two he could only say that he and his backroom staff were working as hard as they could, on these aspects with the players. He does not believe that they lack either motivation or commitment, but did call into question the character of some of them, when they cross the white line on a Saturday. He accepted that a number had "hidden" in some of the games to date, although he suggested that this might be because we had so often been chasing the game from early on (back to the GK errors). The players have been in several times for extra training on Sundays!

On tactics he made it clear that he was telling the players to play it on the floor unless in trouble at the back, when a visit to Row Z is called for. He showed us several examples on video and in charts he had prepared, of what the Team had practised doing in training and what exactly happen on the pitch. Some are either incredibly stupid or let fear get the better of them! We informed him that Brian McGorry and Jamie Pitman had presented different versions of his tactical requirements, at the Hayes game and he promised to speak to Jamie!

We also referred to the abuse given to the fans by Hargreaves (and others) at the Hayes game, and stated that this was, in our view, unacceptable. It was pointed out that the fans, owe the players nothing, and given the support shown this and indeed every other season, this it is very much a case of the reverse being true. GT agreed and said he would speak to the players concerned.

It was further pointed out to him also that his personal support had suffered from the poor showing so far this season. We estimated that having been at about 95% before the start of the season, it was now down to about 50%. He was asked whether he would consider going if the fans turned against him completely. His reply was that if he could see a change in fortunes over say 2-3 weeks he might try to "dog it out". As soon as he felt he could not get through to the players and that the fans no longer wanted him at the Club, he would go, without being pushed.

One final thing from the meeting. The Club has cancelled its BUPA medical insurance for the players, which was costing £25k per year. Its now pay as you go (so don't expect to see Tony James back here again) and the Surgeons at the Nuffield Hospital are even giving us reduced rates to help the Club, which warrants them an honourable mention in despatches I think.

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Wrexham kick-off time moved

The Bulls' match at The Goatcourse on Saturday November 10^th has had the kick-off time changed to 1.00 pm following Police interference.

Wrexham is approximately 85 miles from Hereford so fans will need to plan an earlier departure time.

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Watch England In Addisons

Tomorrow night's England international will be shown in Addisons in addition to the youth match taking place on the pitch.

Draught pints, except Carlsberg Export, will be £2 during the match with rolls and sandwiches also available behind the bar.

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News Round-Up

Southport are to rename their Haig Avenue stadium after striking a sponsorship deal with local rail company Merseyrail. Truro City's management team have pledged their services to the ailing club for at least a month as fans meet to form a Supporters Trust with an eye on rescuing the Conf South side.

Non-League Day has been scheduled for October 13th and will see a three game 'groundhoppers' special in the Conference. Newport's trip to Macclesfield will now kick off at 12.30pm, with Stockport's home game with Kidderminster at 3.30pm, and Tamworth's trip to Hyde at 6.30pm. Sponsors BlueSq will lay on a coach to ferry supporters between the games.

Telford boss Andy Sinton has bemoaned his injury list as he faces Saturday's match with Cambridge with seven doubts. He is expecting to have to name former Bulls trialist winger Jon Brown as a full back for the game due to a lack of fit bodies. Cambridge manager Jez George has left fans speculating about his future after hinting that he is considering his position after Saturday's loss to Wrexham.

Mansfield have loaned teenage winger Joel Holland to Shepshed Dynamo. He is the fourth player to exit Field Mill on loan in two weeks. Westfields have been handed a tough match in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round away at Conf North side Solihull Moors. The Birmingham side are three divisions higher, sitting just below mid-table.

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Evans Gets Stadium Ban For Female Abuse

The FA have banned Rotherham manager Steve Evans from attending the stadiums where the Millers are to play for six games after finding him guilty of verbally abusing a female member of Bradford's staff.

The opinionated Scot was also handed a £3,000 fine but not found guilty of indecent behaviour after being alleged to have dropped his trousers during the incident, which occured after Crawley's match at Bradford last March which saw a string of players sent off and a mass brawl.

Evans says he will not appeal the decision, and the ban starts immediately.

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Graham To Pay For Youth Tickets

Bulls captain Luke Graham has told the Hereford Times he will pay the entry fee for 30 supporters to watch tomorrow night's u18 match.

Graham, who writes a blog for the paper here (the HT might want to rename the link!), says he will pay for 10 Adults and 20 Concession tickets for the game against Shrewsbury tomorrow and will be in attendance himself.

He told the paper: "With the situation that the club is in, we need as many fans as possible to back the youth team. We just might find a future first-team player there.”

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Samson Gets Scotland Nod

Former Bulls keeper Craig Samson has been called into the Scotland squad for Tuesday's game with Macedonia at Hampden Park.

Now 28, the St Mirren keeper has been earning rave reviews for his performances since returning to the Scottish leagues after a dismal spell with the Bulls in which he conceded an average of two goals every game.

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon believes the former Ayr keeper, who was ever-present last season, can carry on for another 10 years:

“He’s done ever so well for us and ‘Sammy’ is a very level-headed guy. Knowing him like I do, he’ll continue to want to play and prove himself year in, year out. Last season he had a fantastic campaign in the SPL. And now the aim and objective for him is to have another 10 seasons like that. I believe he can.”

Samson was previously a Scotland u21 international, with 5 caps, before joining the Bulls for the 2008/9 season.

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Bulls U18's Vs Shrews Tues Night

The Bulls under 18 side take on their Shrewsbury counterparts in a Midland Youth Cup tie at Edgar Street on Tuesday night.

Fans are welcome at the game, with entrance £3 for Adults and £1 Concessions (u16 and over 65). Entrance is via Addisons Bar.

Tickets are also on sale from the club for their night with Terry Jenkins on September 29th. Tickets are £10, with the club also inviting bids to places to play 'The Bull' on the night.

Tickets and details on bidding can be obtained from the club.

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Bartlett Feared The Meadow End

Former Bulls keeper Adam Bartlett has told the Non-League Paper about the nightmare his final 18 months at Edgar Street were.

The former Kidderminster stopper's injury problems and loss of form left him needing to leave the Bulls 'for footballing reasons':

"In the last 18 months at Hereford, I started making silly mistakes. Some of them were horrific and I could sense the fans in the Meadow End turning.

"I could feel that maybe they didn't trust me like they should, and it started to have a negative effect. I started to feel mentally like I didn't belong, and it had a big effect on the way I was. I lost a lot of confidence both on and off the field."

Bartlett then recalls the home match with Swindon in Feburary, when he spilled a cross right into the striker's path for the winner: "You hear the stick from the fans. Not long after that the ball went into the crowd behind the goal, someone threw it back to me and I got a big cheer for catching it.

"That's off your home fans, and it just got to a point where although I was contracted there for another season on a lot better money than I'm on now, I needed to go somewhere else for footballing reasons."

Bartlett talks in the full interview in the paper about his mother's illness - she's on the road to recovery after six months of chemotherapy - and ends wishing the Bulls all the best as  he doesn't "hold anything against anyone there."

 

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News Round-Up

Former Bulls misfit Kern Miller is on the lookout for a new club after being released by Boston United. The 21 year old started their first six matches but was left out of yesterday's squad and released this morning so boss Jason Lee could free up funds to bolster his struggling side. The bidders for Darlington's old Arena home say they do not expect their attendances to increase from their current 200 in the stadium. Mowden Park want to profit from the ground through concerts and international rugby matches.

Portsmouth are claimed to be the subject of a third bid from an unnamed Middle Eastern consortium. The group is claimed to have lodged a $20million offer to buy the stadium and pay off creditors. The club's Administrator has set of deadline of Friday to get a suitable bid for the club. Westfields progressed to the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round yesterday with a 5-2 win at Norton. They earned £3,000 in prize money and could be handed a tie with a Conf North/South side in tomorrow's draw.

Wrexham boss Andy Morrell says he has not been able to play loan signing Andy Bishop as the Welsh FA is yet to give the player international clearance. The striker signed before the 11pm deadline at the end of the summer transfer window, but the Welsh FA had closed at 5pm and has, so far, failed to complete the paperwork.

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Players Need To Prove Their Worth

Yesterday's 5-2 defeat at Ewen Fields was about as bad as it gets for the Bulls.

Ryan Bowman - probably Hereford's Man of the Match

With due respect to Hyde, Hereford United were second to virtually everything after the first fifteen minutes or so.

Hyde were given too much room all over the field, allowed to get forward often without a challenge, and generally bossed much of the game.

Yet they are a part-time club with probably the lowest player budget in the Conference.

And if it wasn't for the £100K or so per season they receive from Manchester City, who play some of their reserve games at the ground, it's questionable whether they could ever come near to balancing the books with attendances like yesterday which was only 688.

It's understood some of Hyde's players are on little more than apperance money plus out of pocket expenses. 

Hereford manager Martin Foyle has a full time squad of players, some of whom could be earning five times more a week from football than their conterparts at Hyde.

Those same players will be at Dartford next Saturday. They need to prove their worth.

Foyle may make some changes for the game but with a small squad and at least three players doubtfull, he is limited as to what he can do without bringing someone in. That's if there is any money left in his budget.

Hopefully Marley Watkins will be back in the squad for the game. Otherwise Foyle can do little more than start players such as Simon Clist instead of Ashley Sammon for example.

Meanwhile before the start of yesterday's game James McQuilken was spotted talking to Director of Football Gary Peters presumably about a loan move away from Edgar Street

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How bad was that?

A promising start, failure to capitalise on the early advantage and some shocking teamwork left The Bulls deservedly on the end of a 5-2 beating at lowly Hyde this afternoon.

Martin Foyle named an unchanged starting line-up from the Woking game as The Bulls, again, had to manage without the threats of Marley Watkins and Marlon Jackson.  The hosts got the first strike on goal but Hanford was comfortably down to collect.  Smikle failed to move onto a through ball from Pell but when a similar move developed down the left, Clucas and Curruthers combined for the latter to whip in a cross that Ryan Bowman met with a glancing header for the opening goal on four minutes.

Sam Clucas

The shaken hosts, who had assembled the grand total of two points before today’s encounter, looked capable of collapse after the early reverse and for ten to fifteen minutes The Bulls continued to press.  Clucas and Curruthers combined to produce a similar cross to the one that produced the opening goal but this time Canham’s header was well off target.  Bowman made an energetic diagonal run but his searching cross was headed over by Clucas who also forced a fruitless corner following a darting run into the box.  

Ashley Sammons

With twenty minutes gone and no addition to the score, Hyde began to realise that they could, perhaps, have some influence on result and gradually took control of the central area with some good, patient possession football.  Former Everton man Scott Spencer and the aging Phil Jevons took turns to run the channels whilst alternating with dropping into midfield to provide a spare man.

With just short of thirty minutes on the clock, Spencer tested Hanford from 20 yards and The Bulls custodian did well to tip over the bar.  Then a deep cross from the left was punched away by Hanford as The Tigers started to push The Bulls deeper and deeper towards their goal.  The now familiar two banks of four became compressed and Hyde’s central division gleefully lapped up clearances without much attempt from The Bulls to press or close down.  It was hardly surprising when Hyde equalised on thirty-nine minutes.

The ball was switched left to right before Spencer, who had peeled away from the centre, broke down the right before cutting in towards the box and firing across Hanford into the far corner of the net.  The hosts might have taken the lead just before the break when Spencer, again, broke down the right but his driven cross was volleyed just over by the advancing Brizell.

HT  Hyde 1  Bulls 1

The Bulls emerged unchanged for the second period both in personal and attitude.  With little more than five minutes of the second period gone, Alex Brown was allowed to work his way across The Bull’s box unchallenged before firing low past Hanford into the corner of the net.

Brian Smikle

The goal briefly woke United from their apparent slumbers and Stam found Canham with a crossfield ball but the striker’s first touch was poor and he was easily dispossessed.  Just ten minutes into the second half Canham was hauled off and replaced by Will Evans in, presumably, an attempt to wrestle control of the midfield from the now confident Hyde team.  Evans’ early contribution was a long diagonal ball that found Smikle in plenty of space fifteen yards from goal but he shot weakly straight at the keeper.  A slightly more promising move down the left involving a Curruthers overlap finished with Evans lifting his shot over the bar.

Ryan Bowman having treatment minutes before he scored his second goal

Spencer got free on the right and sent over a low cross that Jevons almost converted but an almost identical move a few minutes later did produce a goal for the former Yeovile player when Spencer’s cross was turned in from less than ten yards out.

A fine left-side cross from Sam Clucas was headed home by the enthusiastic Bowman to reduce the arrears but it only served to spur Jevons into completing his hat-trick with another brace in a four minute spell…both coming from less than ten yards and both when he got behind the defence to shoot home while unmarked.

Apart from, possibly, their second there was little that Hanford could do about any of the goals.  We were soundly beaten in front of just 688 of which upwards of 200 were in the away end.

FT  Hyde 5  Bulls 2

Bulls:  Hanford, Gallinagh, Graham, Stam, Curruthers, Pell, Clucas, Sammons (Plummer 76), Smikle (Nicholls 67), Canham (Evans 55), Bowman. Unused subs Heath, Clist.

Hyde: Carnell, Brizell, Pearson, Ashworth, Lomax, Brown, Byrne (Moses 88), Cassidy, Crowther (Cox 22), Spencer, Jevens (Poole 85). Unused subs Frith, Williams.

The midfield dropped too close to the back four who were already too deep in the first place.  Canham and Smikle were largely ineffective and when Pell went forward we were unprotected at the back and got exposed and punished by effectively the same move four times.  Very few (possibly Clucas and Bowman IMO) came out of this with much credit and it sadly emphasises the lack of depth in the squad once Watkins and Jackson are out of the reckoning.

That said, Hyde looked like rabbits in the headlights for the opening ten/fifteen minutes and should have been put to the sword in the first half.  One goal is not enough to defend.

MOVE ON.

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Foyle's Reaction To Today's Defeat

Hereford United manager Martin Foyle spoke about Hyde being a potential banana skin in several of his pre-match interviews but it's highly unlikely he expected to be on the end of a 5-2 drumming by Hyde this afternoon.

"The mistakes have cost us big time today, so I have got no excuses," Foyle told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"I thought we looked like eleven individuals today.

"I thought we played well in the first twenty minutes, got the goal, should have gone for the juggular.

"But we didn't.

"We started coming off and playing slow again. Once you take that foot off that pedal you are going to get caught.

"We got caught, one ball straight down the side and a good finish but that shouldn't happen.

"And then, ten minutes into the second half, it's another poor goal.

"He got back Ashley Sammons on the edge of the box too easy.

"I hold my hands up high. Did I select the right side and did I select the right formation? 

"I will certainly have a good look at myself, but I hope the players have a good look too.

"I thought we pulled out of a lot of tackles and challenges today.

"We looked quite weak."

Bowman scored both the Hereford goals.

"Ryan pleased for him, two good headers. That's done him the world of good."

Finally the injury situation.

"I'm hoping Marley will be back next week. Marlon may be, but definitely the week after."

Director of Football Gary Peters watched the game

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Stats From Hyde

Here are all the main stats from a sunny and warm Ewen Fields where Hyde defeated Hereford United 5-2. Both the Bulls goals came from Ryan Bowman (5mins and 77mins)

Possession: Hyde 56% Bulls 44%

Shots on Target: Hyde 9 Bulls 5

Shots off Target: Hyde 5 Bulls 7

Corners: Hyde 3 Bulls 3

Fouls: Hyde 9 Bulls 9

Cards: The referee kept them all in his pocket.

Attendance: 688 with around 200 in the away end

Top of League Two: 

1 Macclesfield		8	5	18
2 Forest Green		8	8	17
3 Wrexham		8	8	17
4 Newport		8	6	16
5 Luton		8	5	16
6 Gateshead		8	6	15
7 Grimsby		8	5	13
8 Hereford		8	0	13

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Ex-Bull Watch

In League Two, Alan Connell scored for Bradford as they drew at Accrington. Keith Lowe put through his own net as Cheltenham drew at Wycombe.

In the Conference, Dean Beckwith gave away a penalty and Janos Kovacs was subbed off at half time as Luton lost at Alfreton. Nathan Elder scored as Ebbsfleet beat Mansfield.

In the Welsh Premier, Jason Price scored twice as Prestatyn put seven past Carmarthen.

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