.png)
The Bulls played out a match in which both teams were intent on giving little away to earn another useful point at The Triton Showers Community Arena last night. Although goal-less, probably the more telling statistic were injuries to Marley Watkins, Chris Curruthers and captain Luke Graham.
Martin Foyle looked to take the advantage by playing Ryan Bowman and Phil Marsh up top with loan signing Chris Todd coming in for Stefan Stam who dropped to the bench.
The Bulls kicked off attacking the end furthest from the visiting fans and Sam Clucas' teasing early cross was turned away for a corner. A second corner resulted but Watkins’ near-post cross was collected by McNamara in the home goal. At the other end, Armson lifted his attempted volley into the car park. Watkins tried a twenty-yarder, which the keeper was quickly down to smother before Curruthers picked up a painful knock on the ankle in a challenge.
The pace of the game dropped after the initial plays as both teams were guilty of some inaccurate passing with The Bulls, in particular, seemingly shy of challenging for the second ball in advanced positions. Then, on 25 minutes, Luke Graham was forced to leave the field with what appeared to be a hamstring problem and he was replaced by Stefan Stam. Three minutes later it was Chris Curruthers making the slow walk as his earlier ankle knock failed to recover and Joe Heath came on to replace him. The unwelcome hat-trick was completed shortly after when Marley Watkins limped off to be replaced by Simon Clist. Watkins was later reported to have suffered a groin injury.
A rare flowing move by the Bulls was halted by a penalised challenge on the edge of the box but Sam Clucas’ shot was saved by McNamara.
HT Nuneaton 0 Bulls 0
The second period produced little excitement for either set of fans. Andy Brown drew a save from Bittner and Phil Marsh caused some consternation in the home ranks with a forceful run into the box from his adopted wide right position but he was crowded out and the ball was cleared.
Nuneaton were having the greater possession as The Bulls concentrated on defensive shape although Pell came close with a curling shot from the right and Ryan Bowman was unlucky when cutting in from the left to run out of space on the bye-line. Bowman was provided with little opportunity up front as the long, high balls were easily dealt with by the tall home defenders and only a couple of long range efforts from Will Evans that both sailed over the bar gave any hope to the travelling 187.
FT Nuneaton 0 Bulls 0
Hereford: Bittner, Gallinagh, Graham (Stam 26), Todd, Curruthers (Heath 29), Clucas, Pell, Evans, Watkins (Clist 38), Marsh, Bowman. Unused subs McQuilkin, Smikle.
Nuneaton: McNamara, Gordon, Cowen, Dean, Forsdick (O'Halloran 85), McNamee, (Sleath 78), Adams, Walker, Brown, York, (Thompson-Brown 90). Unused Subs Perry, James.
Attendance 969 (187)
The forced substitutions will not have helped The Bulls but defensively they coped well although the loss of Watkins threat on the flanks was a major blow. Bowman grafted his way through the ninety minutes and Marsh showed some threat but overall it was not an evening of flowing, entertaining football from either side. The hosts occasionally played some nice tippy-tappy in midfield but the keepers were generally untroubled throughout and the final whistle was a welcome relief.
See you all at The Street on Saturday.