Hereford United gained a decent home point this evening in the pouring rain against Swindon Town drawing 1-1. The Robins went in front in the first-half when Jeril Ifil hammered home from 20 yards in front of an away following of 761. However, Bradley Hudson Odoi's third goal in as many home games mid-way through the second period meant the spoils were shared.
Despite the comfortable home victory over Crewe Alexandra last weekend, Graham Turner opted to make two changes. New signings Richard Jackson and Andy Williams were drafted in at the expense of Sam Oji and Matty Done. Robbie Threlfall and Simon Johnson were dropped from the sixteen altogether. Included in the Swindon starting eleven were former Crawley shot-stopper Phil Smith, and experienced midfielder Lilian Nallis.
Richard Rose, playing at centre back, struck a long way wide after finding space on the edge of a box following a set-piece, whilst Billy Paynter's excellent touch to Craig Easton allowed the winger space and time, but he could only shoot tamely into Darren Randolph's arms. Tricky winger Anthony McNamee, who caused Jackson problems throughout the first-half turned the former Luton man before seeing his effort blocked by Dean Beckwith. Williams nearly capped his return to Edgar Street with a goal following a powerful run on the left-wing, before cutting in but his curling effort bounced just past the far post.
Sloppy play in the midfield was nearly punished when Paynter showed good close control to get away from two defenders and play in Simon Cox, but the former Reading striker struck a foot past the far post despite being in front of Beckwith. Hudson-Odoi turned left-back Jack Smith with ease before firing a left-foot drive wide, before Swindon snatched the lead in added time. McNamee's corner wasn't cleared with conviction, and an excellent strike from Michael Timlin from outside the box smashed against the crossbar; it came back out to Ifil, who went one better and smashed into the top right-hand corner from 20 yards to send the away fans into a frenzy.
The Bulls started the second-half with some good energy and Hudson-Odoi went close following an excellent turn and run, but his right-foot shot went into the side netting. Randolph twice denied Paynter at the other end, the first-time pushing away his low shot for a corner whilst minutes later, another low shot was this time held by the Charlton loanee. The proceedings were levelled up mid-way through the second-half when Hudson-Odoi netted his third of the season. It came from an Hasney Aljofree hand-ball 25 yards out giving Kris Taylor the opportunity to shoot from a free-kick. The former Man Utd trainee did just that, delightfully curling goalwards, but saw his shot denied by the post. Luckily for United though, the ball fell to Hudson-Odoi who turned it back goalwards from 12 yards and into the net.
Cox went close to putting Swindon in front once more, after controlling a throw and turning into the box but his left-foot shot had Randolph scrambling, although he looked as though he would have had it covered. Mark Marshall replaced McManee, and he went close to making an instant impact with a run eventually closed down by a block to his shot. Randolph had to be on top form to deny Paynter, acrobatically tipping over the striker's touch from a Timlin corner. Done came on for Williams late on, whilst Lee Peacock replaced Paynter for Swindon. In the final moments, Stephen O'Leary curled a free-kick into the area and it missed everyone, before striking the outside of the post, although the whistle had already gone for a foul.
All in all, it was a good point for Hereford against a decent looking Swindon side. A crowd of 4061 were present at Edgar Street, and gave excellent ovations to the returning Williams and physio Jamie Pitman. Jackson had a solid start at right-back, whilst Williams showed a couple of good moments, but was largely uneffective on his return. It was hard to pick a key performer this evening, although Randolph's efforts should not go un-noticed with the 'keeper making some good saves on the night. Next up for United is a long trip to Essex with Southend hosting.
Hereford: Randolph, Jackson, Beckwith, Rose, Taylor, Diagouraga, O'Leary, B. Smith, Hudson-Odoi, Williams, Guinan.
Subs: Samson, Oji, Cl. Easton, Done, Ashikodi.
Swindon: P. Smith, Amankwaah, Ifil, Aljofree, J. Smith, Cr. Easton, Nalis, Timlin, McNamee, Paynter, Cox.
Subs: Brezovan, Casal, McGovern, Marshall, Peacock.