Hereford United returned to winning ways with a competent performance against a poor Lincoln outfit at Edgar Street this evening. Highlights were a double from Gavin McCallum, assured league debuts from young defenders Paul Downing and Tyler Weir, both 18, and an influential display from James McQuilkin in the centre of the park.
The first action came in the fifth minute as a confident Downing played an excellent ball through to Leon Constantine, whose cross was cut out by Lincoln keeper Robert Burch. The visitors suffered an early blow with Nathan Baker limping out of the game before ten minutes had passed. Some enterprising play saw Craig King and McCallum set up Constantine with some intricate passing, but the latter’s control let him down and the chance was gone. The midfield were looking more combative than of late, Kenny Lunt and McQuilkin complementing each other well, and Marc Pugh looking lively, and the visitor’s sporadic attacks were comfortably dealt with by some solid defending.
With 29 minutes on the clock, the Bulls took the lead. Constantine played a perfect pass to McCallum who gleefully smashed the ball home from six yards. Shortly afterwards, Constantine nearly created another opening for McCallum with a trademark flick as the home side visibly gained in confidence. Lunt’s long effort through a ruck of players brought a save from Burch and King’s through ball found Constantine who, frustratingly, chose to check back inside when a shot on goal would have been a better option. Adam Bartlett was called to action in claiming a direct free kick on goal when under pressure, and shortly afterwards watching an effort by Lennel John-Lewis, an opponent who is surely never undersold, to narrowly clear the bar.
HT: HUFC 1 LINCOLN CITY 0
The second half began in lively fashion. Constantine seemed rooted to the spot after a promising build up, whilst at the other end, Bartlett had to be alert to parry an effort by Hughton. Sam Gwynne was then scythed down after a neat run down the right. Pugh’s free kick seemed to be overhit, but found its way to Constantine who crashed the ball against the upright. After 56 minutes, Pugh picked up the ball in midfield and embarked on a mesmerising high-speed dribble. Combining terrific ball skills and a couple of lucky ricochets, he finished by passing to McCallum who fired home his, and the Bull’s second goal.
Tyler Weir crossed dangerously to the near post, and McQuilkin showed tenacity in trying to forge an opening. When Lincoln attacked, an assured performance from United’s most experienced defender (step forward Mr Darren Jones) set a good example to his more youthful colleagues. John Trewick chose not to use any of his substitutes, a rather puzzling decision as some of the team visibly tired. The Imps attempted to get back into the game with John-Lewis hitting the underside of the bar from a header and the same player tangling with Gwynne to provoke ambitious penalty claims.
Hereford still looked the more likely to score in the closing stages, notably when Constantine fired across goal and King, probably surprised to see it arrive at his feet, shot horribly wide. One could not blame McCallum for an attempt to complete his hat trick in the final seconds, even though a pass might have produced a third goal. Punters were left to consider: a) that former SAS member Chris Sutton’s visit to the Shire had thankfully not been fruitful, b)that his side’s hideous away kit of mud and “navy blue” ( thanks for the fashion advice Mrs Andy) must rival Stockport’s as an assault on the senses, and most importantly, c) that the Bulls had taken an important step away from the relegation mire- 18th place.
FT: HUFC 2 LINCOLN CITY 0
Attendance: 1429 including exactly 100 brave souls from Lincs.
HUFC: Bartlett, Gwynne, Downing, Jones, Weir, Pugh, Lunt, McQuilkin, McCallum, King, Constantine..
LINCOLN CITY: Burch, Green, Watts (Clarke 74), Baker (Swaibu 9), Anderson, Oakes (Facey 52), Kerr, Kettle, Hughton, John-Lewis, Gilmour.