Sad Bulls slump to second successive defeat

A single goal on 62 minutes sealed a second defeat in four days when part villain, part hero Connor Jennings converted following an error by Rhys Evans in a disappointing game against Macclesfield.

Martin Foyle surprised the fans by leaving Richard Brodie out of the starting eleven to provide full debut for Eric Odhiambo.  Rob Purdie and Sam Gwynne started in central midfield flanked by Walker and Jon Brown with Odhiambo and Sam Smith up top.

The opening skirmishes were bright but largely uneventful with the exception of a Jon Brown shot that flew inches over the bar and a promising break by Odhiambo that finished with a defensive heave into touch.

Home team players Chris Holroyd and Jennings were both fortunate to get away with late challenges on Luke Graham when they jumped into the player rather than attempting to go for the ball.  Jennings was also guilty of taking out Sam Gwynne after the ball had gone but again referee Whitely failed to impose any punishment and when Danny Leadbitter broke into the Silkmen’s box and was blatantly body-checked the referee appeared to miss the incident entirely.  Luke Graham was strangely penalised for no more than standing his ground to win a header and from the free-kick, Peter Winn produced a dangerous cross that Chris Bush cleared at the back post.

A Bush long throw was half cleared and when Brown’s cross came back in Rod McDonald headed over.  Winn duped the referee into awarding a foul against Leadbitter and the resulting free kick finished with a shot from Jennings that Evans collected low down.  Then a Walker shot was blocked to safety Chris Bush hesitated to clear and was robbed near the edge of The Bulls’ box.  Fortunately, the cross from Mackreth went behind for a goal kick.

Rhys Evans Was The Busier Keeper

A Jon Brown cross was punched clear by Taylor in the host’s goal and Rob Purdie’s attempted volley sailed high over the bar.  Dan Walker and Odhiambo combined to provide a chance for Sam Gwynne and he grazed the bar with a rising shot from twenty yards.

As the half closed, Jennings tested Evans from thirty yards but The Bulls’ stopper was equal to the task pushing around the post.

HT Macclesfield 0 Bulls 0

Mackreth gave Bushy a hard time to produce a couple of teasing crosses before the referee finally produced a card for the persistent-fouling Jennings when he took the legs of Bush long after the ball had gone. 

A Macclesfield break down the left by Winn produced a cross into a crowded Bulls penalty box and when Evans failed to clear with a flappy punch Jennings stabbed home from close range.

Foyle responded immediately by introducing Chris Sharp in place of the hard-working Odhiambo when many were of the opinion that Smith was the least effective.  Shortly after, Richard Brodie replaced Jon Brown who looked to have had a fairly decent match to that point.  Bushy headed a good chance over the bar with fifteen minutes to go.  Then to cap everything, Sam Gwynne was replaced by Pilkington.  With ten minutes remaining, and with Smith still on the pitch, the referee came to the fans rescue and issued a straight red card for a petulant swipe at a defender.

Sam Smith Gets His Marching Orders

The storming finish witnessed at Cambridge failed to repeat itself and when virtually the whole of the four added minutes were wasted by the hosts the officials allowed the obvious guesstimate of 100 Herefordians amongst the total of 1321 to shuffle off muttering rude words but looking forward to the enforced change in the strike partnership.

FT Shacklesfield 1 Bulls 0…. a string of poor decisions by Mr Whitely and the promise of a Christmas card.

Hereford: Evans, Leadbitter, Graham. McDonald, Bush, Walker, Gwynne (Pilkington 75), Purdie, Brown (Brodie 69), Smith, Odhiambo (Sharp 62). Subs not used: Collins, Edwards.

Macclesfield: Taylor, Halls, Martin, Connor, Andrew, Mackreth, Turnbull, Whitaker, Winn, Holroyd (Bolton 86), Jennings. Subs not used: Boden, Gnahoua, Rowe, Kay.

That was not an easy watch and I was seriously loosing the will to take notes after an hour.  I thought Purdie and Gwynner had done a fairly decent job in midfield despite an almost total lack of movement in the central striking area although it must be said that Eric worked his socks off without much support.  Once the changes were made all shape and purpose seemed to evaporate and several glances from Brodie suggested he was as perplexed as the fans by what was happening.  Sharpie looked bright and enthusiastic when he came on which prompts the question why didn’t he start?

However, we can now look forward knowing that at least something will change on Saturday.  Josh O’Keefe is reported to have had his cast removed today (Tuesday) and Ranks had a fairly strenuous fitness test before the departure this afternoon.

I just wonder if we might finally see the Rankine/Brodie double act on Saturday.

Be there to find out.

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