Whilst it may be premature to refer to Fortress Edgar Street, The Bulls continued their unbeaten home run to seven games with a hard-fought victory over Chesterfield this afternoon. Manager, John Trewick, brought in Keith Lowe for Darren Jones and, without Marc Pugh, handed a place in the starting line-up to new crowd favourite Mathieu 'the Beast' Manset.
Chesterfield were first to attack, with Adam Bartlett forced to make a smart save in the opening exchanges. Manset was proving a handful for the Spireite defenders with excellent close control and some promising exchanges with Mark Marshall and James Walker. Manset's shot from way out comfortably cleared the bar, and Marshall overran the ball when sent down the line by Kenny Lunt. One terrific through ball from Sam Gwynne, gaining confidence and composure in midfield, found Craig King, whose cross was hacked clear.
At the other end, Jack Lester, Drew Talbot and Donal McDermott created some openings but some solid defensive play prevented further danger to The Bulls goal. Ryan Green in particular made some timely interceptions when called for. Gwynne drifted a long range effort wide of the target and neat work from Marshall and Ryan Valentine resulted in a free kick for handball. From this, Lowe directed his header past the upright.
HT: HUFC 0 CHESTERFIELD 0
The visitors started the second half on top, with the busy ex-Morecambe midfielder, David Perkins, controlloing proceedings. Lester released Perkins whose 25-yard shot crashed back off the bar with Bartlett beaten. Chesterfield defender Rob Page was penalised for leading with his arm in a challenge on Manset, and the resulting free kick was cleared to safety. Shortly afterwards, on 58 minutes, with no apparent danger, Page once more clashed on the edge of the area, this time with Marshall, and the referee, to the surprise of many, awarded Hereford a penalty. After vehement protestations and a yellow card for Page, Ryan Valentine calmly fired home the spot kick.
Chances came at either end with Valentine releasing Marshall down the left for The Bulls, and Perkins shooting narrowly wide when well-placed for Chesterfield. The away side continued to press for an equaliser, and Bulls fans were left to pray for the final whistle. A clever pass from Manset set up Walker, whose shot was deflected for a corner, and in the last meaningful action, a terrific move from the away side was dealt with by a last-ditch Ryan Green tackle, thus preserving The Bulls 3 point haul.
FT: HUFC 1 CHESTERFIELD 0
HUFC: Bartlett, Valentine, Blanchett, Green, Lowe, Marshall, King, Lunt, Gwynne, Walker (Sonko 80), Manset.
CHESTERFIELD: Lee, Picken, Lowry (Bowery 85), Page, Allott, Lester (Boden 64), Breckin (Austen 78), McDermott, Talbot, Perkins, Little.
Attendance 2574 with 364 from Derbyshire.