Following Boxing Day’s loss to local rivals Kidderminster
Harriers, Bulls boss Martin Foyle made only one change to the starting 11
dropping Frankie Artus in favour of Jon Brown.
Forest Green Rovers kicked off and were the first side to
have a shot. Marcus Kelly tried his luck from 20 yards, but the early shot went
wide of Daniel Lloyd-Weston’s goal.
Hereford were awarded a free kick minutes into the game, by
referee Simon Bennett following a foul on Rankine by Forest’s Rancine. Rod
McDonald sent the ball wide with his left footed shot, from Bush’s free kick.
Jon Brown Replaced Frankie Artus In The Starting XI |
Michael Rankine Being Watched By Three FGR Defenders |
Dominic Collins passed down the flank to Burnley loanee
Micah Evans. Evans showed determination and managed to cut inside his man and
crossed the ball into the heart of the box. The ball made it through a number of bodies
in the box until Jon Brown struck the ball cleanly into the bottom left of the
Gumpers’ net.
Jon Brown Celebrates His Goal |
Chris Sharp won the ball in the heart of the field and
carried forward to present a threat to the Gumpers’ defence. His shot from the
edge of the box was deflected out for a United corner. Lathrope’s corner was headed away and saw Forest quickly break on
the counter attack. Kelly’s shot was parried by Lloyd-Weston and eventually
gathered.
As the first half drew to a close, the Whites created
another chance when Rankine flicked onto Sharp who gave the onrushing Brown a
goal-worthy chance only for his shot to go wide of the upright.
HT: Hereford 1 – Forest Green Rovers 0
Micah Evans intercepted a pass from the Gumpers’ midfield
and took the ball goal-ward. His shot from the right was convincingly caught by
Russell.
A period of Forest Green pressure was to follow, ending with
a free kick into the box. The on-target ball was parried out for a corner by
keeper by Lloyd-Weston. Bush did well to head the ball clear, but Anthony Barry
was on hand to strike a ball right into the hands of Lloyd-Weston.
No Hereford Player Could Get On The End Of This Cross From Micah Evans |
After returning from his suspension following the incident
at Lincoln, Daniel Leadbitter was brought on 22 minutes into the second half to
replace Dom Collins. The Gumpers’ also made a change 6 minutes after the Bulls,
and substitute Stephen Brogan made an instant impact on the game, when his right
footed shot was sent wide.
New Signing Jamie Edge Came On As A Sub |
FT: Hereford 1 – Forest Green 0
Att: 1,848 with 150 travelling from Nailsworth.
Sponsors’ MotM: Damon Lathrope.
Hereford: Lloyd-Weston, Collins (Leadbitter 68’), Graham,
McDonald, Bush, Evans, O’Keefe, Lathrope, Brown, Rankine (Walker 79’), Sharp
(Edge 84’). Subs not used: Edwards, Odhiambo.
Forest Green: Russell, Forbes, Racine, Bennett, Asafu-Adjaye,
Barry, Bangura, Kelly (Brogan 73’), Taylor (Barnes-Homer 63’), Wright (Alabi 63’),
Norwood. Subs not used: Styche, McHugh.
This was a good hardworking performance from the Bulls, who
closed down the opposition at every opportunity. Every player gave their all,
which was lacking in the first half of the previous game at Kidderminster.
Hopefully they can repeat this performance in the next game against the
Harriers and redeem themselves after the 2-1 loss at Aggborough earlier in the
week. A mention must also be given to the 1698 Hereford supporters who created
a very good atmosphere inside Edgar Street this evening – more of this please!
The return fixture of Kidderminster on Wednesday is up next,
see you there.