Bees Sting Bulls

SeeBlocker watched today's game

Hereford United manager Martin Foyle chose to make one change to the starting XI replacing Chris Sharp with the returning Michael Rankine.

Barnet started off with a good chance coming from 21 year old, Keanu Marsh-Brown. After some good play, Marsh-Brown got his shot away but Bulls’ keeper Rhys Evans parried the ball to deny Barnet the opener.

Half A Chance For Michael Rankine

The re-addition of Rankine certainly looked positive during the opening minutes. Ross Dyer crossed the ball into the box ready for the awaiting Rankine, however Bees’ keeper Stack collected comfortably. Minutes later Rankine was in the spotlight again crossing in a good ball from the right to the onrushing Walker, but Walker was unlucky as he couldn’t quite get there in time.

Barnet went close to scoring a own goal after conceding a free kick on the edge of the 18-yard box. Bush sent the ball deep into the box which was met by a Barnet defender who managed to bring a brilliant save from his own keeper who somehow managed to push the ball wide of the upright. The resulting corner was headed wide by McDonald.

Barnet were quick to go on the counter attack and after Marsh-Brown and Keiran Cadogan effectively walked through Hereford’s defence, luckily Luisma Villa sent a sitter well wide from only 6-yards.

Dan Walker Puts A Cross Towards The Box

The Bulls weren’t without their chances in the first half with Dyer flicking the ball on to the advancing Rankine who allowed the awaiting Walker on the right the opportunity to cross. The cross was poor, but a goalkeeping error saw a Bulls corner. 3 corners followed but United failed to set up a major threat but did have a shot deflected.

Despite United arguably looking the better of the two sides in the first half, confidence appeared to nosedive once Barnet took the lead 9 minutes before half time.

Marsh-Brown whipped in a cross from the left which was met with a powerful diving header from Ahmed Abdulla, who managed to get across the front of a rather static Bush. The ball smashed against the underside of the bar and into the goal with Evans just a spectator.

Edgar David's Substitute Ulrich Landvreugd

Shortly after, Marsh-Brown had a chance to double the visitors’ lead when his long range shot sailed just over the crossbar.

HT: Hereford 0 – Barnet 1

After A Wet First Half The Sun Shone But Not On The Bulls

The second half was a pretty poor and dull affair from both sides with little action throughout. Both the Bulls and Bees had chances to score but failed.

Barnet were first to attack in the second period after they won 3 consecutive corners but thankfully the only meaningful chance was deflected wide.

Rankine Beats His Marker

United had an excellent chance to level. Rankine’s cross found Dyer whose shot was well parried by Stack, but not one Hereford player followed up and the chance was gone.

Foyle used all three subs at different points in the second half, Krans, Walker and Purdie left for Brown, Odhiambo and Sharp respectively.

But none of them managed to make any real impact on the game and disappointingly Barnet saw the game out comfortably.  

FT: Hereford 0 – Barnet 1

Hereford: Evans, Graham, Bush, Leadbitter, McDonald, Gwynne, Purdie (Sharp 76’), Dyer, Walker (Odhiambo 67’), Rankine, Krans (Brown 63’). Subs not used: Edwards, Artus.

Barnet: Stack, Stephens, Saville, Acheampong, Vilhete, Fletcher (Byrne 57’), Abdullah, Marsh-Brown (Nurse 88’), Cadogan, Villa, Lopez (Mengerink 70’). Subs not used: Jupp, Allen.

Attendance: 1632 with around 60 from London Town.

Luke Graham

Sponsers' MOTM: Luke Graham

After a promising start to the game, when the Bulls played some rather neat football at times and were on top for long periods, but not for the first time this season failed to score. Then when Barnet took the lead, Hereford’s confidence seemed to disappear and once again resorted to too many aimless long punts up field.

Now to the Cup.

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