Bulls earn deserved point at Morecambe

Ex-Landlord watched last night's game. Below is his report:

Hereford twice came from behind at Christie Park on Tuesday night to come away with a well-earned point against play-off chasing Morecambe and arguably did enough to claim all three. Graham Turner implemented some "squad rotation" changes as well as replacing the injured Tony James with Dean Beckwith. Both Andy Williams and Stuart Fleetwood were rested and took their places on the bench to provide starts for Stansfield and Danny Carey-Bertram while Jamie Pitman came in for Robbie King. This was the first time since the game at Scarborough in January that Adam and DCB had started together.

The early exchanges gave no indication of the misfortune that was to hit Hereford in the third minute. A hopeful punt forward from the Morecambe midfield brought Wayne Brown into action to clear the ball under pressure to Jamie Pitman who hooked the ball away over his shoulder. The ball struck the referee and fell to Michael Twiss who coolly lobbed the ball into the net passed the stranded Brown to give the Shrimps a lucky lead. Hereford soon showed attacking intentions of their own when Craig Stanley put Daryl Taylor in but the Walsall loanee shot weakly and the ball was cleared by Morecambe's Garry Hunter. On 7 minutes Stanley himself fired just over from 25 yards having been supplied by Purdie and a minute later a second Stanley effort from just outside the box flew inches over when Taylor's miss-hit effort fell at his feet. The Morecambe midfield were closing down quickly and Twiss received a yellow card following his third foul in just five minutes.

While Morecambe looked more comfortable in possession, The Bulls were having their share of chances with Jeannin and Stansfield both going close. At the other end, the right sided Gary Thompson was giving Jeannin a tough time with his pacey play and provided a good chance for Carlton whose crisp shot was well held by Brown. On the half hour mark Jeannin broke forward to feed the influential Rob Purdie who was scythed down by Thompson but the resulting free kick was headed clear. Jeannin was carded a little harshly when Twiss ran across his path and the tangle of legs saw the Morecambe player go down.

The half finished with the hard running Stansfield winning a corner which was cleared by keeper Drench HT Morecambe 1 Hereford 0

Play recommenced without the use of substitutions and United were quickly on the attack with Taylor moving at pace down the wing only to be felled by a somewhat "rustic" challenge from full back Michael Howard. The resulting low free kick from Jeannin was almost turned in by DCB. However, the Hereford striker did not have to wait long before he converted the next chance. The advancing Ryan Green delivered the ball deep into the host's goalmouth and Carey-Bertram was on hand to force the ball home and level the score on forty nine minutes.

Unfortunately, the Shrimps response was to regain the lead almost from the restart. Thompson swung in a cross from the right and as the central throng challenged in the air, the ball fell to Carlton who fired in from six yards. Shortly afterwards a rare Taylor cross was hacked away for a corner by Kempson and the resultant flag kick by Taylor saw the winger slice the ball behind for a goal kick. Craig Stanley was on the receiving end of a nasty tackle from Carlton who entered the referee's little book for his effort. Twenty minutes into the second period, the clearly tiring Stansfield was replaced with Stuart Fleetwood and the largely ineffective Taylor made way for Andy Williams who assumed the role of right midfield. Willo was swiftly into the action when he picked the ball on the halfway line and ran powerfully at the Shrimps defense before cutting inside to fire in a shot which shaved the crossbar.

Both Williams and Rob Purdie were causing problems for Morecambe with their direct attacking wing play and Curtis was fortunate not to see yellow when he dumped Williams on his backside. Jeannin's free kick only just avoided Mkandawires outstretched foot as the classy centre back joined the attack. The Bulls were now dictating the game with Rob Purdie having his best attacking game for some time. Pitman and Stanley took over the central area as Morecambe were forced to defend deeper and looked to rely on breakaways. This allowed space for Jeannin and Green to push forward and it was this increased pressure which forced a free kick just outside the Shrimps penalty area on 79 minutes. Jeannin, Purdie and Fleetwood all lined up for the kick but it looked like Fleetwood who curled the ball towards the goal. The keeper, Steve Drench, managed to tip the ball against the upright but Carey-Bertram was on hand to nod the rebound over the line for the equalizer.

Although the Shrimps management threw on both Dodgson and Barlow for Curtis and Carlton with ten minutes to go, it was Hereford who finished the stronger. DCB might have got his hatrick and the winning goal with 5 minutes remaining when Rob Purdie again produced a delightful through ball which he flicked on, only to see it blocked on the line. Ryan Green appeared to take a knock and was replaced by Simon Travis for the last few minutes as United collected their one point reward following the long trip north.

With Daryl Taylor making the final appearance of his loan period, it was interesting to see the dangerous Williams used on the right side when Taylor was withdrawn. Is this a sign?

Morecambe:- Drench, Howard, Twiss, Curtis (Dodgson 80), Thompson, Kempson, Blackburn, Carlton (Barlow 80), Hunter, Brannan, McClachlan.
Subs not used Robinson, Kelly, Rigoglioso.

HUFC:- Brown, Green (Travis 86), Mkandawire, Beckwith, Jeannin, Purdie, Pitman, Stanley, Taylor(Williams 65), Carey-Bertram, Stansfield (Fleetwood 65)
Subs not used Mawson, King

My MOTM - Rob Purdie

Attendance 1699 (85/100 HUFC)

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