Hereford United justifiably came away from The Globe with a victory this afternoon thanks to a 27th minute strike from Lyle Taylor and a solid team performance as they took their points tally to four from a possible six since the return of Richard O’Kelly.
The team saw one enforced change with Simon Clist ruled out with a strain. Rob Purdie dropped to fullback and Nicky Featherstone got the start in midfield.
Morecambe were first to threaten but Carlton dragged his shot well wide from a wide right position. Townsend’s long ball to Facey was flicked on but easily cleared then when Evans’ helped the ball into the host’s area, pressure from Taylor and Barkhuizen forced a hasty hack into touch. The Shrimps had a good chance to take the lead on nine minutes when Burrow outpaced Towner and rounded Cornell only to put his lob wide of the target.
Lunt played a flighted ball to Facey and The Bulls’ striker flicked on to Barkhuizen who turned it inside to the advancing Will Evans but the two-goal Macclesfield hero’s shot was deflected for a corner. The corner was half-cleared but this time Evans’ shot was high over the bar. O’Kelly was out on the edge of his technical area throughout, quick to applaud any good work and shouting encouragement when attacks broke down all while making copious scribblings on his notepad. Taylor benefited from a slide rule pass from Lunt but his crisp effort was saved by Roche. At the other end, Reid’s shot was easily collected by Cornell before Facey’s cross with the outside of his foot was fractionally long for Taylor but the Bournemouth youngster was to find the net on 27 minutes.
A Purkiss free kick just in the Bulls’ half was met by a Townsend header before Facey helped it on to Taylor who spun and fired home from 12 yards. The Bulls pressed forward in search of a second goal and Facey’s hooked cross found Barkhuizen but his shot was blocked and Facey’s speculative effort whilst falling backwards rose over the bar. When Barkhuizens found Taylor in the box, his cheeky back-heel bounce off keeper, Roche for a corner. Morecambe countered down the right and Reid’s deep cross was headed back across the goal by Alessandra but Burrows challenge on Cornell was penalised.
HT Morecambe 0 Bulls 1
Hereford deserved their interval lead by virtue of good possession football, some searching forward play and solid well organised defending.
The Shrimps had to replace their young fullback, McGinty, at half time as he suffered a dislocated shoulder and started the second period with more determination. The Bulls’ were closing well to break up play but their early attempts at forward movement was a little hurried and when the hosts broke into the box, Cornell had to move smartly to tip away a shot from substitute Redshaw. Big Jim Bentley was clearly up for the fight as he bellowed instructions from the sidelines to encourage, in particular, Parrish to get forward down the right. In fact it was Parrish that had to be tracked right back to the byeline by the busy Barkhuizen to assist Purdie.
Facey was replaced by Arquin just before the hour mark but both he and Taylor were slow to get a shot off when chances presented themselves in the box. Towner beat Burrow to a through ball and the home number 14 received deserved stick from the visiting fans as he fell clutching his face when he had, quite clearly, not been touched Clucas came on for the tiring Barkhuizen with twenty minutes remaining but his fresh legs did not prevent Parrish whipping in a dangerous ball which Towner was a little fortunate to get a glancing header too. Purdie turned a ball inside to Lunt and Kenny floated a delightful ball into the path of Clucas but McCready was quickly across to block the shot. At the other end, The Bulls had a let-off when Redshaw scooped over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.
With Morecambe playing with three up top. O’Kelly brought on Stefan Stam for Taylor to see out the final two minutes of normal time plus the five added with a back three and Purdie pushed right up on Parrish to keep him largely in his own half.
The Bulls had a fine chance to double the advantage as the game came to a close. Will Evans broke away but his shot from the edge of the box was parried away by Roche.
FT Morecambe 0 Bulls 1
Hereford: Cornell, Purkiss, Townsend, Anthony, Purdie, Barkhuizen (Clucas 67), Featherstone, Lunt, Evans, Taylor (Stam 88), Facey (Arquin 59). Subs not used: Bartlett, Colbeck.
Morecambe: Roche, Parrish, Hauning, McCready, McGinty (Redshaw 46), Reid, McDonald, Hunter (Drummond 75), Carlton, Burrow (Jevons 75), Alessandra. Subs not used: Kettings, Cowperthwaite.
This was a victory that was surely earned on the training ground as The Bulls displayed a much more organised and disciplined display at the back. Playing a higher line and holding it provided a better basis for Cornell to come and gather the through balls. Morecambe were unable to push into The Bulls’ penalty area as easily as Macclesfield did on Tuesday and the result was a much more confident performance all round.
No eyed deer what the gate was but there looked to be about 120 celebrating the win.
Impressed.