Hereford United sealed a dramatic late point at Adams Park this evening, to keep up their play-off aspirations, and recent unbeaten record. First half goals from Stefan Oakes and Gary Holt handed Wycombe a comfortable half-time lead against an injury hit Bulls. The second half continued to produce frustration for United, until Theo Robinson nodded in. Simon Johnson then smashed home to send the away fans into raptures, and hand United a point.
With injuries taking their toll for Hereford, Steve Guinan replaced Trevor Benjamin up front, with the big man on the bench although not fully fit. Trent McClenahan also came into the starting line-up in place of the departed Robbie Threlfall, who sustained an injury last week against Hartlepool. With the numbers short, Craig Jones was named amongst the substitutes. Included in the line-up for Wycombe was former Celtic shot-stopper Rab Doublas, and John Sutton, younger brother of once Chelsea striker Chris.
Wycombe started strongly and Sergio Torres was commanding the ball from his left sided role and he came close to breaking the deadlock. Leon Johnson cut back after a corner wasn’t cleared, and Torres shot towards goal; luckily for Hereford, Kris Taylor was on hand to clear off the line. However, United weren’t so lucky minutes later, when Oakes opened the scoring. He collected in the middle of the Bulls half, and tried his luck from long-range and it left Wayne Brown stranded, after the ‘keeper’s view was blocked by a United defender. Oakes then tried his luck after linking-up with Sutton, but this time his shot was harmless.
Hereford finally registered a shot on goal mid-way through the first half; Theo Robinson received a ball into his feet from Ben Smith after good build-up, and the Watford loanee flashed a shot across goal and wide. The chances were few in the half, with Wycombe looking by far the better side, but just before half-time, McCombe nearly registered his second goal in as many games. Taylor played a through ball to McCombe, who was up from a corner, and the big centre half controlled before firing against the bar. The ball fell loose, but was cleared out for a corner. The Whites were made to rue this miss as Wycombe added a second deep into stoppage time. McClenahan failed to clear from his right-back position, and the ball deflected to Holt, the midfielder curled and once again, Brown’s vision was blocked, and the ball struck the post before falling into the net, to send the Wycombe fans into half-time extremely pleased.
The hosts continued the start of the second half as they finished the first half, with early chances. Matt Bloomfield’s drive was deflected wide, and from the resulting corner, Will Antwi went close with his head. United looked tired, and out of ideas, with the best chance resulting from Smith’s intelligent touch and pass to Guinan. The veteran striker though failed to gain any power on his shot, and Douglas smothered with ease. An injury to Antwi meant that Craig Woodman replaced him at centre back; a change which gave United hope that they could cause the defenders some problems. Yet it was Wycombe creating chances, with Oakes blasting over from long-range. A change was needed for Hereford, and after much delay, Johnson replaced Taylor on the left wing. Another substitute was made, with the linesman this time making way, after a Wycombe player had slid him in the corner. Once again, Oakes tried his luck from long-range but to no avail, and it was his final contribution as Andreu Boucaud replacing him in the middle of the park.
Torres quick feet took him past two, but Brown held his weak shot whilst a clever through ball from Boucaud allowed Scott McGleish half a chance in front of goal, but the quick closing down of Brown stopped a third goal. Then the comeback started. Firstly, Sam Gwynne took a quick-throw, and Toumani Diagouraga crossed with his left foot towards the back post to Watford team-mate Robinson who looped his header back across the goal and into the far corner.
Wycombe were shaken but still had control, and Sutton struck a poor shot from distance past the post. Torres received a fine reception when Tommy Doherty took his place for the remaining minutes. With just a few minutes remaining of normal time, United won a corner. Gwynne struck the corner into the box, and after the ball wasn’t cleared, Johnson smashed into the roof of the net from inside the area, to the delight of the 399 travelling supporters. Johnson wasn’t done yet though, much like after his pre-season strike at Bath, the confidence of the player was evident; a fine run and low shot was tipped around the post by Douglas. United saw out the evening, and gained an excellent point.
For the majority of the game, Hereford were lacklustre and Wycombe were in control, but the introduction of Johnson’s pace spiced things up. The former Leeds man will have done his first-team prospects nothing but good in front of 4081 at Adams Park. The Bulls continued their unbeaten record, with the last defeat coming against league leaders MK Dons in mid-October. Next up is Lincoln, who have started poorly, but under the guidance of Peter Jackson will provide tough opponents for Hereford.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, McCombe, Collins, Gwynne, Diagouraga, Smith, Taylor, Guinan, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, Johnson, Jones, Palmer, Benjamin.
Wycombe: Douglas, Martin, Johnson, Antwi, Stockley, Bloomfield, Holt, Oakes, Torres, McGleish, Sutton.
Subs: Woodman, Bullock, Doherty, Boucaud, Reid.