A 0-0 draw may not appear to be the best way to start the new year, but Hereford United and Wycombe Wanderers put on an exciting spectacle at Adams Park this afternoon. The game was an end-to-end encounter in which neither side were happy to settle for a draw, though the result is a respectable one for United against a side higher in the league than themselves.
The Bulls were without Dean Beckwith in defence, despite having completed a suspension, through illness but there was a return for Rob Purdie meaning Stuart Fleetwood was relegated to the subs bench. Further problems soon occurred for Hereford in defence as skipper Tamika Mkandawire was replaced after just twenty minutes due to injury, with Alex Jeannin coming on, leaving just Phil Gulliver as the only recognised centre back.
Both sides started brightly with Wayne Brown making an early save from a header, while Simon Travis was tearing up the wing again, winning an early corner from a low cross. It wasn't long before Brown was called upon again, in what turned out to be a busy New Years Day for him. Wycombe split open United's defence with a through pass towards Anthony McParland but Brown raced out to gather just in front of him. The home sides front pairing of Jermaine Easter and Fola Onibuje was causing plenty of problems for United early on, but the Bulls were holding out.
Andy Ferrell takes a free kick
Hereford had a big penalty shout out turned down half way through the half when Sills knocked a short pass to Purdie who appeared to be tripped as he skinned his man, but nothing was given. At the other end, the giant Onibuje was making use of his height as he headed wide before Wycombe had 'keeper Ricardo Batista to thank when Purdie, played in by Alan Connell, got behind the defence and shot low from a narrow angle, as the goalie saved with his legs.
Batista almost turned villian though before half time, when he poorly cleared to Luke Webb who tried a lob from almost the half way line, but Batista was back on his line in time to catch. With two minutes of the half to go Connell help he should have had a penalty as he was bundled over in the box, but again the referee waved the claims away.
Wycombe came out with all guns blazing and Hereford were under the kosh after the restart. Easter really should have netted on forty six when he found space between two defenders, but headed Lewis Christon's cross wide from six yards out. Onibuje then got to the by line, cut in and layed the ball on for Stefan Oakes, who volleyed inches wide, before he swung in a low free kick to the near post from the right channell, causing Brown to make a quick save, pouncing on the ball when it was on the line.
A mix up between Jeannin and Brown allowed Onibuje in, but Brown made himself large and managed to force the ball behind before Andy Ferrell, having another good game in the middle, almost netted as he hit a rocket of a shot from around thirty yards, which smashed against the cross bar. The ball was deflected on to the bar at the other end soon after, as Webb got a touch with his head to a cross from the right, but he came closer to scoring at the other end as the game entered the final ten minutes. In the mean time Sills had been replaced by Andy Williams.
Ferrell had perfectly executed a through ball inside the right back for Purdie, who played the ball across the goal face. Webb arrived through the middle but somehow failed to tap into the goal, and the chance flashed away. With eight minutes to go Connell made way for Fleetwood, but it was the unlikely Gulliver who almost stole the game for Hereford. Ferrell had returned a half-cleared corner to the box and it fell to Gulliver inside the six yard box. He swung a boot at it and looked certain to score, but somehow Batista got in the way of it and forced the ball over the bar.
So, despite the lack of goals, 2007 started in a positive manner for Hereford United, as they played some good flowing football on what was a good pitch. The Hereford fans were out in force once again and were in good voice throughout, as they looked to spur the team onto victory. Another performance like today on Friday at Bristol in the cup should give The Bulls a good base to build on in this coming year.
HUFC: Brown, Gulliver, Mkandawire, Jeannin, McClenahan, Travis, Ferrell, Webb, Purdie, Connell, Sills. Subs: Jeannin, Thompson, Sheldon, Fleetwood, Williams.
WWFC: Batista, Martin, Williamson, Antwi, O'Halloran, Betsy, Bloomfield, Oakes, McParland, Easter, Onibuje. Subs: Young, Stonebridge, Grant, Palmer, Mooney.