The much anticipated meeting of Hereford United and Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough finished in a 1-1 draw this afternoon but it will be the hosts who will perhaps feel most aggreived that they did not collect all three points. At the start of the afternoon, many felt that a draw would be a good result for The Harriers but when they levelled things up with just under half an hour gone, they didn't look back.
Hereford United put out a make-shift back four as injuries and suspensions took their toll, leaving Graham Turner with no full backs to choose from. Rob Purdie and Darren Blewitt took the positions up and helped in what was a good defensive showing.
The travelling army of Bulls fan's were sent into raptures with no more than six minutes gone, when Jamie Pitman broke the deadlock. He found himself with a clear run at goal twenty five yards out, but hesistated and a recovering tackle sent the ball airbound. However, it bounced perfectly and Pitman hit a spectacular volley into the roof of the net. The Bulls pushed on from then and created a couple of chances. Firstly Danny Carey-Bertram was just inches from connecting with Andy Ferrell's back post cross and then Jon Brady fired over.
However, with twenty eight minutes gone, Harriers broke against the run of play and netted an equaliser. Simon Russell delivered a pin-point cross for Taiwo Atieno to head in from close range. Tamika Mkandawire had to be on his toes to put in a good challenge as Russell forced his way towards goal and the centre back was busy at the other end moments later. Brady swung in a cross and Mkandawire rose above everyone to smash a header into the back of the net, but referee Bob Desmond gave a free kick the other way.
United continued their search for a second goal and man of the match Pitman, who popped up anywhere where a tackle was needed for the visitors, almost struck glory once again. He unleashed an unstoppable shot that was destined for the top corner, until taking the slightest of deflections off the back of Matt Bailey. On the stroke of half time Brady again switched play to Ferrell, who this time picked out Carey-Bertram, put his volley went across the goal face.
Bailey was replaced at the break, giving youngster Andy Williams a chance to shine, and although he didn't score, he posed a threat in the United attack. Atieno was again causing problems for United's defence with his height and power and moments after the restart skinned Tony James, only to be denied by a super block by Craig Stanley. Mkandawire again caused problems from a corner, but this time nodded over and he was then on defensive duties to hook away a dangerous effort from Russell. With fifteen minutes left, Guy Ipoua was introduced and Carey-Bertram made way.
Harriers began to mount some pressure on Hereford in the final stages and pretty much had United boxed in their own half, expect from some counter attacking football by The Whites. Wayne Brown reacted brilliantly to deny what seemed a certain goal from Atieno; he met a quick-fire cross with his head and Brown somehow tipped over from point blank range. Brown then did well to punch away a header from the resulting corner to keep the scores even.
United were soon on the break with Andy Williams, who beat his man on the edge of the box but was then forced wide and could only win a corner off the 'keeper, Dan Lewis. Ipoua then created a good chance for substitute Dean Beckwith, who'd replaced the injured Blewitt, and the defender saw his low effort deflected just inches wide, as the 'keeper had been wrong footed. A final chance for Harriers in injury time fell to Russell in the middle, but his effort was blocked by an on-rushing yellow shirt.
It turned out to be quite an entertaining game for the neutral supporter, but for the Hereford fans, of which their was at least 1,000 (later confirmed as 1031) in a crowd of 3,241, it was a disappointing result in a game, before hand, many expected to win. The lack of an attacking force was once again evident for The Bulls who must be craving the return to fitness of several key players, including Adam Stansfield and Ipoua in attack.
HUFC: Brown, Purdie, Mkandawire, James, Blewitt, Ferrell, Pitman, Stanley, Brady, Bailey, Carey-Bertram. Subs: Beckwith, Mawson, Williams, Evans, Ipoua.
KHFC: Lewis, Mullins, Burgess, Hatswell, Jackson, O'Connor, Fleming, Sheldon, Russell, Atieno, Heslop. Subs: Thompson, Danby, Burton, Hurren, Wilson.
