NEXT HOME GAME - TBC
NEXT AWAY GAME - SUPPORTERS XI ARE PLAYING WORCESTER AT MALVERN ON SUNDAY AUGUST 3rd AT 3.00pm

Saturday, August 28, 2010

ALL WE ARE SAYING......



Despite a barnstorming finish, Hereford failed to reply to a lone Paul Warne strike just before the interval. The Bulls barren spell now extends beyond seven hours, a source of much frustration for a disappointing crowd and for manager Simon Davey. O’Neil Thompson returned in midfield, and Mathieu Manset’s injury necessitated a reshuffle in attack. Rotherham received clearance for Jeremiah Ani to be named among the subs, and Ryan Cresswell was fit enough to start the game.

Captain Kovacs was penalised for a push on Warne, and from the resulting free kick, the wall did its job in deflecting Kevin Ellison’s shot for a corner. Ellison and Thompson then had a frank exchange of views; a foretaste of the simmering tension which spoiled much of the later parts of the game. Cresswell’s push on Sean Canham then gave the home side a similar chance, but James McQuilkin’s floated free kick was powerfully headed straight at Andy Warrington in the Millers goal. Kovacs was called on to make timely clearances at the other end. Exodus Geohaghon’s long throws were proving difficult to clear, but despite one or two clever flicks, the home defence seemed untroubled by the prolific Adam Lefondre.

Another McQuilkin free kick gave Canham a chance, but his header was comfortably saved, and Canham then fired straight at the keeper when played in by Stuart Fleetwood. The striker then almost made amends by charging down a clearance, but was hauled back by Exodus. Referee Mr Rushton kept his cards pocketed, choosing instead to deliver a lengthy lecture. Clear cut chances were at a premium, with a marauding run by Tom Newey expertly shepherded to safety by Ryan Green and some indecision almost letting Geohaghon in. Kovacs for once misjudged a header which flicked dangerously over the bar. Meanwhile Fleetwood beat one man to create a chance, but his effort was blocked.

The crowd could almost taste the half time Ascari beef pie, and were planning their own exodus when the visitors took the lead. Lefondre chipped the ball over for Warne to nod goalwards as he tumbled. Despite getting fingertips to it, Adam Bartlett was not able to prevent the goal.

HT: HUFC 0 ROTHERHAM UTD. 1

The home team rejoined the fray with renewed vigour. Fleetwood bustled around more after a rather laconic first half showing, and his clever through ball found Canham, whose shot was cleared for a corner. McQuilkin’s flag kick found Thompson’s head, but the effort was woefully wide. A move involving Fleetwood, Ryan Valentine and Canham led to Joe Colbeck planting the ball beyond Warrington, but the linesman had already flagged for offside.

Ellison was fortunate to escape a card after needlessly barging Kovacs from behind with the ball running out of play. The Hungarian reacted angrily and incurred Mr Rushton’s wrath as much as the original miscreant had. Shortly after this, the official started brandishing cards for much lesser offences. The flow of the game was interrupted by a series of niggly fouls, simmering disputes and some cynical time wasting, and these were not dealt with consistently. As a result, players became frustrated as the game entered a frenetic last 15 minutes.

Fleetwood was through on goal with clearly the best chance the Bulls created, but his effort was skewed well wide of the post. Thompson, McQuilkin and Kenny Lunt all had half chances without troubling the Grecian 2000 rep between the sticks. A Green cross was too high for Fleetwood, but it fell invitingly for little Jimmy, however there were the legs of Warrington to, once more, block the path to goal. As the home side pressed for a leveller, Rotherham looked dangerous on the break, though they understandably saw the preservation of three points as their main objective. Despite much huffing and puffing, Hereford’s goal drought was set to continue for another day, and a drop to 16th place was not the best end to August.

FT: HUFC 0 ROTHERHAM UTD 1

Attendance: 2166 with 212 from the Don Valley.

HUFC: Bartlett, Valentine, Kovacs, Townsend, Green, McQuilkin, Lunt, Thompson, Canham, Fleetwood, Colbeck.
ROTHERHAM: Warrington, Newey, Cresswell, Geohaghon, Holden, Harrison, Law, Taylor, Ellison (Bradley 87), Warne (Marshall 81), Lefondre.