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United produced a promising display in this evenings friendly encounter at Edgar Street against Bristol City. The Bulls took a first half lead through Lee Morris but were pegged back in the second period by goals from Cole Skuse and a late winner from Tristan Plummer.
Both sides started brightly but it was the Bristol outfit that threatened first. A deep cross from the left by Fontaine was headed back across goal and a couple of snap shots were blocked by the resolute Bulls defenders. Trialist Marc Manga provided an opportunity for Lee Morris whose crisp effort was saved by Basso before Kenny Lunt produced a delightful through ball to Marc Pugh. The former Shrewsbury player left the Bristol full back on his backside and clipped the ball towards the back post. Basso's full-length interception prevented Constantine opening the Bulls account.
There were plenty of encouraging performances from manager Trewick's newly assembled squad. The movement of Lee Morris seemed to complement Constantine’s play while Lunt was showing why he has played at a higher level, finding the time and space that was reminiscent of Jon Eustace time at The Street. At the back, Dennehy and Lowe showed signs of an early understanding while both Valentine and the returning Ryan Green looked comfortable with Green particularly impressive with his eagerness to get forward.
Morris and Constantine combined well to create a chance for Manga but the wide man slid the ball a yard the wrong side of the post when a goal seemed certain. Another fine move involving Green and Morris down the left forced a corner which was cleared. Then just before the half hour, Hereford took a deserved lead. Marc Pugh came inside his marker to cross low into the danger area where Lee Morris deft first touch gave him the space to fire passed the despairing dive of Basso. Shortly afterwards, Constantine picked a loose ball on the halfway line and covered 35 yards before Marc Pugh shot narrowly wide of the target.
The Bristol front line worked well off the ball but any chances were quickly dealt with by the solid looking Bulls defence.
HT HUFC 1 BCFC 0
The second half saw the usual pre-season raft of changes for both sides with Trewick introducing a fresh centre-back pairing of Jones and Rose while Lunt and Pugh were replaced by Jamie Tolley and Danny Thomas. Bristol meanwhile started the second period with a fresh XI including the dancing boots of Mr Trundle.
The deluge of rain that had seen the cancellation of the half-time Merton Stand evacuation had left puddles in the corners nearest the Meadowend which caused problems and overall the play was not up to the standard of the first half. On the hour mark, Trundle played in Cole Skuse to level the score from close range. Trewick sent on another pair striking trialists in the shape of Liam Hughes and Tomi Ameobi for Constantine and Morris while Manga limped off to be replaced by Sam Gwynne.
Skuse cracked a 20 yarder against the crossbar before Craig Jones, who had replaced Valentine, delivered a low centre across the Bristol six-yard line which Ameobi flicked goalward. Sub 'keeper Gerkin was greatful to find the ball stuck between his legs. Ameobi showed a good appetite for graft and was an impressively mobile leader of the line for such a big unit. He may well prove a useful alternative to Constantine and could have added to the scoreline when Darren Jones broke upfield from his defensive position covering almost the length of the pitch before releasing Ameobi whose sharp angled shot cannoned of the ‘keeper for a corner.
As the game drew to a close, Bristol scored the decisive goal. Tristan (with an A) Plummer was given far to much room on the edge of the box and moved forward unchallenged to fire past Letheran from 10 yards.
Final Score HUFC 1 BCFC 2
Attendance 823 with 158 Bristolians.
HUFC: - Bartlett (Letheren 67); Green, Lowe (Rose 46), Dennehy (D Jones 46), Valentine (C Jones 66); Manga (Gwynne 51), Maghoma, Lunt (Tolley 46), Pugh (Thomas 46), Constantine (Hughes 58), Morris (Ameobi 58).
BCFC: - (first-half): Basso; Orr, Papazacharias, Carey, Fontaine; Elliott, Johnson, Eremenko; Sproule, Maynard, Clarkson.
BCFC: - (second-half): Gerken; Wilson, Papazacharias, Artus; Ribiero, Skuse, Kington, Plummer, Eremenko; Akinde, Trundle.