Bulls earn deserved win at Chester

After a tentative start at The Exacta Stadium Hereford United finished comfortable winners by two goals to nil in a performance that was much improved on Saturday’s opening nervous display.

Perhaps understandably, Martin Foyle gave a second opportunity to the same eleven to prove themselves with just a little tinkering to the shape as Rob Purdie lined up in his preferred role in the centre of midfield amidst a flexible 4-3-3 formation.  Former Bull Joe Heath was named on the bench for Chester.

Former Bull Joe Heath With Chris Sharp

Chris Bush’s ball down the line curled out of play before Danny Leadbitter made a good interception while both teams struggled to get an early grip on the game.  The busy Bulls’ midfield trio matched Chester’s neat midfield play.  A Chester cross from the right was headed over by Mahon and another intended cross sailed wide of the upright.  The hosts were playing a careful game and any sign of threat on their defence drew a back-pass to keeper Danby at every opportunity.

A Lewis Turner shot from distance was well dealt with by Rhys Evans before Bush charged forward to test Danby with a shot that he only managed to gather at the second attempt.  Purdie was harshly penalised for little more than a tangle of legs and from the flighted free kick, McDonald made a firm headed clearance before seeing his own effort from a Purdie free kick only just miss the target at the back post.

Bush launched a diagonal ball across the box and only a late interception prevented Walker getting on the end of the chance.  A quick attack by Chester saw them break  down the right but Williams’ shot was high and wide. Then a deep cross that was safely gathered tested Evans. 

Danny Leadbitter stormed forward and was blatantly body-checked by fullback Michael Kay who was carded for his misdemeanour.  

Michael Rankine In The Build-Up To The Disallowed Goal

The Bulls had the ball in the net on the half-hour mark but the “goal” was ruled out as Smith was deemed to be offside despite the ball coming back to him off a defender following Rankine’s blocked shot.

The Bulls were beginning to warm to the task and started to look more comfortable with themselves and the opposition.  Rankine then stepped over Smith’s driven cross but another desperate defensive boot denied Walker at the back post.  Then, with half time approaching, The Bulls took the lead.

Luke Graham Rises Above The Chester Keeper And Scores

A Rob Purdie pinpoint corner from the left was guided to the far corner of the six-yard box and Luke Graham rose majestically to power home a header.

Players Surround Graham

In added time Rankine was unlucky not to double the score when his header finished just wide of the upright.

HT Chester 0  Bulls 1

Just three minutes into the second period Kay collected his second yellow for a late clattering on Dan Walker and duly headed for the shower.  The foul was to be further punished when from the resulting Kingsley James free kick Rankine’s powerful header was only partially blocked and Smith was on hand to force the ball over the line from close range.

Sam Smith Made It 2-0

Despite being a man down, Chester continued to play some neat football in the middle of the park but The Bulls were stronger in the challenge and more purposeful going forward.  A nasty late challenge on Leadbitter drew a yellow card for Kevin McIntyre and a chance from the free kick rebounded off the foot of the post.

Michael Rankine Being Restrained By Josh O'Keefe After A Touch Of Handbags

Chris Bush went on a surging run into the box to set up Rankine but the big striker just couldn’t work enough space to get a clean shot on goal.  Martin Foyle shuffled his pack with fifteen minutes remaining to give a run to Frankie Artus in place of the industrious Rob Purdie while Sam Smith made way for Chris Sharp.

Artus was quickly into the game and his darting run set up a chance for Rankine who’s thunderous shot was beaten way by Danby.  Danny Pilkington replaced Dan Walker with seven minutes to go and instantly combined with Artus to set up Sharp but his on-target effort was, again,  pushed away by the diving Danby.

The Bulls played out the closing minutes comfortably controlling the game despite a couple of late fruitless flag kicks for the hosts.

FT Chester 0  Bulls 2

Hereford: Evans, Leadbitter, Graham, McDonald, Bush, O’Keefe, James, Purdie (Artus 75), Walker (Pilkington 84), Smith (Sharp 75), Rankine. Subs not used: Collins, Edwards.

Chester: Danby, L Turner, Kay, N Turner, Horan, Harrison, McIntyre, Lindfield (Jarrett 60), Seddon, M Williams (Reed 58), Mahon (Linwood 52). Subs not used: Heath, A Williams.

Attendance Exacta 2900 with probably over 200 from The Shire.

The opening game nerves appeared to be continuing in this match for the first twenty/ twenty-five minutes without, it has to be said, any serious threat to Rhys Evans’ goal.  As the game progressed Foyle’s charges grew into the task and finished looking well in control of the match.  Roberto was much happier in the centre of the park and gave a good account of himself, as did the impressive Frankie Artus during his fifteen-minute spell.

A much improved showing and two well crafted and taken goals.

See you at Hyde on Saturday.

---