The chances of Hereford’s United’s future as a League Club failed to improve this afternoon when, despite a fine Will Evans strike, they went down by the odd goal at The Crown Ground. Evans’ strike in the second period came between a pair of Stanley that left The Bulls still rooted to the foot of the table.
Richard O’Kelly named the same starting eleven as the previous disappointing outing when many were expecting changes, particularly in attack and it was a damp, drizzly afternoon that greeted just short of 249 from The Shire, most of whom had gratefully travelled on the four free coaches provided by The Club.
An early Lunt cross was cleared and from the return ball, Elder won a flick that found Peniket but his cross-shot was blocked for a corner. This was taken short to Kenny Lunt who lifted it into the danger area and when the ball fell to Peniket he was slow to get a shot off and the threat was cleared upfield. Lindfield, a striker deputising at right back, made progress down the flank and sent over a cross, which was cleared by Chambers. Then Bobby Grant’s driven cross was blocked and Joyce blasted over from 20 yards before another Lindfield cross was fired into the side netting by Amond.
Amond was clear through on goal following a botched clearance by Townsend but Cornell saved and Devitt rattled the crossbar as the hosts racked up a number of scoring opportunities. Kenny Lunt turned the ball inside to Will Evans but his shot from 25 yards skidded a couple of yards wide of the target. Cornell saved Grant’s shot when the home player was quickest to react to a half clearance before Lunt, again, set up Evans for a strike that stung the palms of Dunbavin. Grant headed another cross from Lindfield back across goal and Amond’s effort was just wide.
As the first period closed, Featherstone released Peniket and his shot was deflected over the bar as Elder struggled to meet the cross.
HT Stanley 0 Bulls 0
The hosts had been far more threatening in the first half so it came as no great surprise when they took the lead shortly after the break. A poor clearance by Michael Townsend was pounced on by Grant, who cut inside and fired home from the edge of the box.
Then just five minutes later, O’Kelly made a double change replacing the disappointing Elder and Peniket with Facey and Clucas. Clucas was quickly into the action and when he was upended on the corner of the box, the free kick produced an equaliser. Kenny Lunt slipped the ball to Will Evans and the midfielder hammered low into the far corner from 22 yards.Cornell tipped over from Grant’s overhead kick before Evans, the goalsc
orer, was replaced by Colbeck. Clucas’ deep corner was headed back across goal by Anthony as The Bulls briefly held the upper hand. Colbeck made a surging run forward but his final ball was poor before yet another Lindfield cross was deflected just wide by Grant. Accrington continued to look the brighter in attack, as they were quicker to support the player in possession and to get players into the box. Then with five minutes remaining, The Bulls conceded another late gaol to cost them a share of the points. A corner from the right was only half cleared and when the ball was lobbed back into the mix, Townsend allowed the ball to continue and Amond nipped in to nod past Cornell who was helpless to prevent the goal.
FT Stanley 2 Bulls 1
Hereford: Cornell, Chambers, Stam, Townsend, Anthony, Evans (Colbeck 65), Lunt, Featherstone, Elder (Facey 54), Peniket (Clucas 54).
Subs not used: Bartlett, Arquin.
Accrington: Dunbavin, Lindfield, Murphy, Nsiala, McIntyre, Liddle, Joyce, Devitt (Hatfield 71), Barnett (Hughes 71), Grant (Craney 81), Amond. Subs not used: Nicholls, Guthrie.
Attendance 1749 (249 away)
This was not a particularly good performance by United but once again they let themselves down with some poor defensive decisions. Cornell had a good game keeping The Bulls in the match with a string of competent saves. The Strike force provided very little threat on goal and with Barkhuizen often shadowed by two men it was disappointing that the front men failed to produce a worthwhile effort between them. Having said that, a point was there for the taking were it not for a couple of gifts from the defence.
It’s getting tight. Friday could well be the one that determines our future.