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Hereford came away from Underhill this afternoon with just one point and may well feel a little hard done by not to have collected all three. John Trewick had sprung a change of formation on Barnet by employing a central back three of Darren Jones, Danny Blanchett and acting Chairman of the Defence Committee, Ryan Green enabling Valentine and Lowe to support down the flanks. Kenny Lunt and Sonko operated in midfield with Craig King working behind the front pair of Leon Constantine and Gavin McCallum.
From the off, it was clear that the strong wind was to have a disruptive effect on the game as the ball was frequently swept off course to make a good first touch difficult to say the least. The early exchanges produced little threat at either end although Valentine’s through ball to Constantine only just beat the United front man. The Bulls forced the first corner in the eighth minute but it was easily cleared. Playing down the slope, Hereford produced what good football was on show in the first quarter with the home side content to heave the ball forward at every opportunity. On twenty minutes, The Bulls developed the best move so far. Sonko and the hard working King produced a forward ball which found the advancing Valentine and the wingback’s driven cross was stabbed just wide by King. Five minutes later, a long punt forward by Bartlett was chested down by King and Constantine’s crisp effort from 22 yards was just inches over the bar. Although United continued to have the lion’s share of possession, the wind frequently came to the rescue of the under pressure Bees back division. Constantine was barged to the floor on the edge of the box without the reward of a free kick before Barnet’s Adomah won a corner at the other end. The flag kick was met by a header from Kamdjo that flashed wide of the post. As the half drew to a close, King produced a rasper that was tipped away by home stopper Cole and a Sonko/Lunt/King move found McCallum fractionally offside.
HT Barnet 0 HUFC 0
The Bulls, now playing with the wind, were soon back on the attack when Lunt and McCallum fashioned a chance for Constantine which was just over before the impressive McCallum was again involved releasing Lowe whose fine cross was headed away for an uneventful corner. Ryan Valentine’s diagonal shot then scraped passed the far post as United searched for a goal before a stretched Barnet defence were relieved to clear a pair of dangerous corners from Valentine on the left. Then , just before the hour mark came an incident which arguably cost United the full three points. Lowe fed McCallum down the right and The Bulls forward cut into the box only to be bundled to the floor by a firm shove in the back just as he shaped to strike. The referee may have been unsighted but his assistant was perfectly placed in front of the travelling fans to see the blatant offence. The flagman was left in no doubt as to The Bulls’ fans opinion of his ability as he was constantly berated for the rest of the game. With five minutes of the game remaining, Hereford finally got the ball into the net when a Darren Jones drive was glanced in by McCallum but it was ruled out for offside despite both the goalkeeper and a defender appearing to be standing on the line. A couple of late efforts from Micah Hyde and substitute Albert Jarret failed to greatly trouble Bartlett as The Bulls saw out the game.
FT Barnet 0 HUFC 0
This was a competent and workmanlike performance against a team that had been in a fine run of form. The Bulls dominated the game for all but short periods and were it not for the Assistants oversight would have deservedly come away with a first away League win of the season. Conditions were difficult throughout but The Bulls were effective in all departments. In particular, Gavin McCallum continued to show a fine appetite for the game while Leon Constantine had one of his better games.
Attendance 1965 with 297 in the away enclosure.
Hereford: Bartlett, Green (Rose 84), Jones, Blanchett, Lowe, Lunt, Sonko, King,Valentine, Constantine, McCallum. Subs not used: Adamson, Gwynne, Pugh, Godsmark, Done, Marshall.
Barnet: Cole, Deen, Komadjo,Yakubu, Gillet; Adomah (Jarrett 79), M Hyde (Deverdics 75), Hughes, Bolasie, O’Flynn, Furlong. Subs not used: J Hyde, Hart, Leach, Viner, Vilhete.