Little over a minute had elapsed when Saafend struck the first blow. Elliot Benyon’s cross was not intercepted, and some hair-raising pinball in the Bulls box saw desperate attempts by David Cornell and Kenny Lunt to clear it.
The ball had, however, clearly crossed the line and Neil Harris was credited with the final touch.
Ryan Hall’s cross was then headed over by Luke Prosser, whilst at the other end Byron Anthony did an action replay from a Ben Purkiss free kick. Arquin then passed for Delroy Facey who seemed to be obstructed, though Mr Malone penalised the muscular striker. Will Evans then tripped the influential Benyon, and once again, Hall’s kick was headed over Cornell’s crossbar. Tom Barkhuizen made a couple of lively runs, and on one occasion his shot rebounded to Evans. His effort was heading wide and Nicky Featherstone almost got enough of a touch to wrongfoot Cameron Belford between the sticks for the visitors.
Despite these sorties, it always seemed more likely that Southend would increase their lead, as the mathematical triplets of 12, 24 and 36 probed for an opening. Kane Ferdinand showed some deft touches, while Benyon and the experienced Church Times, aka Christian Dailly seemed to have an intuitive understanding. Neil Harris nearly connected with a raking crossfield ball from Sean Clohessy, and then the Bulls conceded a 33rd minute corner. Hall’s dangerous delivery was only partially cleared, and Benyon stabbed the loose ball home.
Very much in the driving seat, Southend were in the comfort zone as the interval approached, and Hereford looked devoid of ideas. However, they were thrown a lifeline as Barkhuizen was sent tumbling as he attempted to round Belford. The spot kick was awarded without hesitation, and Belford escaped without the expected card. Up stepped Arquin with a stuttering run to fire into the roof of the net.
HT: HUFC 1 SOUTHEND 2
Presumably, with the ROK’s words fresh in their ears, the Bulls tried to apply more pressure on their opponents. Michael Townsend’s shot seemed to take a deflection, but a goal kick was given, and Featherstone unleashed Barkhuizen to deliver a dangerous cross which Belford did well to claim. A trademark long throw from the Blackpool loanee was cleared to Featherstone whose shot was diverted wide. Southend still looked lively, though, and soon restored their two goal advantage. Lunt lost out in midfield, and some rapid, accurate interchange left Hall with a chance which he buried into the corner of the goal from outside the area.
After a patient build up, Featherstone won a corner, and Lunt’s cross for Nathan Elder, on for Arquin, saw the burly striker crowded out. Lunt had a shot which struck an arm, though penalty appeals were muted. Barkhuizen’s mazy run ended in disappointment as he hit his shot straight at Belford’s midriff. Facey attempted a flick for Elder, who was on a different wavelength. Another quick break involving Benyon, Hall and Michael Timlin finished with the latter hitting the woodwork.
It seemed that the game would peter out, when suddenly, the Bulls made a belated effort to retrieve the situation. Quite unexpectedly, they laid siege to the Saafend goal, and Joe Colbeck flicked a pass for Elder who managed to steer it just inside the post. Many minutes of injury time, time-wasting, and men down all over the field gave the game an exciting finale, though an Elder header from a Green cross was the closest that Hereford came to snatching a point. It would have needed the luck of the Irish so to do on St Patrick’s Day, and Hereford now find themselves in the relegation zone.
FT: HUFC 2 SOUTHEND UTD 3
Attendance: 2456, with 268 all the way from Towieland.
HUFC: Cornell, Purkiss, Townsend, Anthony, Purdie (Green 68), Evans (Colbeck 72), Featherstone, Lunt, Barkhuizen, Facey, Arquin (Elder 60).
SOUTHEND UTD: Belford, Clohessy, Phillips, Prosser, Barker, Hall (Hills 83), Timlin, Ferdinand, Dailly, Harris, Benyon.