BULLS BLUNDER TO DEFEAT

Hereford gifted two goals to promotion-chasing Swindon Town as Paolo di Canio watched on from the stands. Injuries and suspension forced Jamie Pitman to shuffle the Bulls pack, with a recall for Kenny Lunt, and a start for new loanee Byron Anthony. Despite a Rob Purdie goal, and the welcome return of Harry Pell, the Bulls were unable to register an equaliser and the Robins departed Edgar Street with three points. Hereford are now just one place above the dreaded relegation zone.

A quiet opening period saw both sides in cagey mode, chances being at a premium at both ends. Nicky Featherstone played a useful pass to Nathan Elder who set up Joe Colbeck, but he fired well wide. Then Simon Clist’s free kick rebounded to Anthony whose shot was cleared off the line. The visitors showed the reasons behind their recent run of form, calmly mopping up in midfield, and producing some tidy play involving Luke Rooney and Billy Bodin.

Bartlett in action

United had held their own for the first half hour, but then pressed the self-destruct button. Adam Bartlett miskicked a routine clearance straight to Paul Benson who ran into the box and was tripped by Anthony just as he seemed sure to score. There could be no complaint about the penalty award, and Paul Caddis put away the 38th minute spot kick with ease.

HT: HUFC 0 SWINDON TOWN 1

A run by Colbeck created a shooting chance for Purdie which was deflected for a corner. Elder showed some purpose in shielding the ball and trying to lay off for Purdie and Featherstone, though Swindon gave the clear impression that they were in the comfort zone. Corner kicks were won at both ends of the field without threatening the scorer. Ben Purkiss almost found Elder with a crossfield pass, but once again the danger disappeared.

Then, with 62 minutes played, Swindon doubled their lead. Bodin’s cross into the six yard box was not cleared, the ball bobbled around and Bartlett fumbled as Benson managed to scuff the ball home. To their credit, the Bulls showed some belated attempts to rectify the situation, and within three minutes they had halved the deficit. Bartlett’s long punt upfield fell for Purdie who lashed a shot past Wes Foderingham.

Welcome Return for Harry Pell - Pictures taken by Andy Compton of the Hereford Journal/Shropshire Newspapers.

Pell replaced Will Evans, and contributed to Hereford’s brightest period as they sought an equaliser. Fellow substitute Lyle Taylor seemed keen to create an impression, and he almost glanced a Purdie cross towards goal.

Bryon Anthony

A series of corners saw Anthony head against the crossbar with the keeper struggling. This was to be the closest that they came to grabbing a valuable point. The visitors seemed content to run down the clock with some time-consuming “injuries” and substitutions. Indeed, the closest call came from a curling free kick from the energetic Matt Ritchie that nearly found the head of a colleague. The spectre of the Blue Square refuses to go away.

FT: HUFC 1 SWINDON TOWN 2

Attendance: 3068, including 1181 from the land of the Magic Roundabout.

HUFC: Bartlett, Purkiss, Green, Anthony, Clist, Lunt, Evans (Pell 63), Featherstone, Purdie, Colbeck (Taylor 57), Elder (Facey 68).

SWINDON TOWN: Foderingham, Boateng, Caddis, Cibocchi, Ritchie, McCormack, Cox, Rooney (De Vita 70), Smith (Risser 66), Bodin (Connell 82), Benson.