On a warm spring afternoon in Kent, Hereford United produced a far more organised performance than the one at Accrington last Wednesday to come away with a valuable and well-earned point against promotion chasing Gillingham thanks, in no small part, to a couple of fine saves from Adam Bartlett.
Pitman reverted to the 4-5-1 formation and line-up that was successful against Crewe meaning a return for Stuart Fleetwood, Nicky Featherstone, Steve Leslie and Kenny Lunt. Waide Fairhust missed out through illness.
The Bulls could have conceded early on when Cody McDonald outpaced Townsend but clipped his effort into the side netting. A Leslie corner was comfortably cleared before Fleetwood brought Gills’ keeper Alan Julian into action in the 12th minute. For the hosts, Payne’s deflected shot went wide but the game was mainly contained in the midfield areas as both teams failed to produce many goal-scoring chances. As the game approached the half-hour mark, Fleetwood set up Featherstone who shot just wide and Leslie lifted an effort well over while Adam Bartlett produced a telling save to push Akinfenwa’s header away for a corner. Then Gillingham had probably the best chance of the game when McDonald got past Stam and squared to Akinfenwa but the burly striker completely miss-hit his shot and the ball ran to safety. Referee Paul Tierney had been erratic to say the least and booked Quilks for simulation when he was clearly tripped on the edge of the box by Lawrence and as half-time approached, only yellow-carded Gills’ Garry Richards when he struck Stam in the face. Bulls’ coach Dave Kevan questioned the decision and was despatched to the stands for the remainder of the game.
Kevan had words with the officials at full-time. Gills assistant manager Ian Hendon was also sent to the stands.
HT Gills 0 Bulls 0
The Bulls looked brighter on the restart and Fleetwood could have broken the deadlock when he intercepted a Richards’ back-pass but Julian was quickly off his line to narrow the angle and smother the shot. Akinfenwa headed over and Fleetwood saw his rising shot clear the bar as play swung from end to end. The Bulls’ midfield was having a much better day as Kenny Lunt kept his colleagues in good shape and pushed the closing down which had been lacking at Accrington. Leslie headed a half chance over the bar. The Gills threw on Dennis Oli for Maher and The Bulls responded by replacing Colbeck with Rob Purdie who played in a more forward role. Referee Tierney comically booked Purdie for a glancing collision with six foot two Alan Julian. Danny Spiller replaced Jack Payne and Luke Rooney came on for Barcham as the hosts struggled to make a real impression on a well-organised Bulls’ team. Jason Price replaced the hard-working Fleetwood but it was Adam Bartlett who had the final say on the result as he went full length to push an Akinfenwa shot round the post as the game finished goal-less in front of 5709 including a reported 128 from The Shire.
FT Gills 0 Bulls 0
Hereford: - Bartlett, Green, Townsend, Stam, Heath, Colbeck (Purdie 69), McQuilkin, Featherstone, Lunt, Leslie, Fleetwood (Price 90). Unused subs, Hoult, Kovacs, Rose, Stratford, Patulea.
Gillingham: - Julian, Fuller, Richards, Lawrence, Martin, Weston, Maher (Oli 66), Payne (Spiller 73), Barcham (Rooney 76), Akinfenwa, McDonald. Unused subs, Hawkes, Gowling, Nutter, Payne.
Although this was not a game for the footballing aficionados, The Bulls once again showed that they can go to a team well above them in The League and perform in an effective manner. Apart from a few lapses, the defence held firm and the five-man midfield marshalled by Lunt proved a match for the hosts. Fleetwood produced another grafting display and may be disappointed not to have converted a chance to grab all three points.
The Bulls now sit in 19th place with a game in hand over Lincoln who are just a point better off. Should Macclesfield draw with Bradford and The Bulls beat Wycombe on Tuesday then United would rise to 15th, a place above Cheltenham.
Finally the Football League programme later this evening will feature this game. 'Clem' in his usual purple shirt did some pre and post match interviews.