Bulls fall at Round 1 FA Cup hurdle

Hereford United bowed out of this season’s FA Cup with a 2-0 defeat at The Pirelli Stadium this after noon.  The Bulls battled throughout the game but were second best on quality and the game was won with two good finishes.

Without the suspended Chris Bush, Martin Foyle slotted Rob Purdie into the left back spot and gave starts to Kevin Krans and Dan Walker on the flanks with Eric Odihambo partnering Michael Rankine up front.  Dom Collins played if central defence alongside McDonald with captain Luke Graham ruled out with an Achilles problem.

The game opened with the hosts defending the goal in front of the well-populated visitors terrace.  A couple of early attacks from either side came to little but when Burton won a corner on the left it was only partially cleared and Phil Edwards’ overhead kick thankfully came back off the bar.

The hosts continued to dominate the early exchanges although Robbie Weir was lucky to escape a card when he brought Walker down from behind as the Bulls’ wideman broke towards the box.  

Dan Walker Is Brought Down

Frankie Artus’ free kick was headed just over by McDonald as The Bulls started to get into the game.  

Dom Collins Climbing All Over The Burton Keeper

Corners from left and right failed to produce any real goal opportunities for United and when Krans and Artus combined to work the ball through to the advancing O’Keefe it was fractionally over hit and drifted out for a goal kick.

Then, with The Bulls enjoying their best period, Burton took the lead from a well-worked corner routine.  The Ball was driven in low from the left and McGurk made a run to the near post to turn the ball in from 8 yards.

Dan Walker

Rankine released Walker down the left but, again, the ball ran for a goal kick as the lack of anticipation and movement drifted into Hereford’s game.

HT Burton 1 Bulls 0

Foyle sent his troops out early for the second period with Dan Lloyd-Weston replacing Rhys Evans who had looked uneasy following treatment for a foot injury in the first half.

Rankine Comes A Cropper

Rankine earned a free kick from which Artus’ shot was charged down and cleared up field.  Then, when Ranks was hauled down by Sharps, Artus free kick found O’Keefe but his header was cleared off the line and Artus follow up was well saved low down by Lyness in the home goal.

Leadbitter’s deep cross was scrambled away for a corner and Jon Brown, on for Odihambo, was too long with his centre.  Sam Smith replaced Kevin Krans as The Bulls looked to add firepower to their improved possession.  Rankine pulled wide to the right to deliver a decent cross but Brown’s header went over the bar before Frankie Artus cracked a 25-yarder inches wide of the upright.

A Corner From Artus Is Cleared

A half cleared corner fell to Leads but his effort was wide of the target. Another Leadbitter surging run drew a crude challenge from Weir that earned him a yellow.  This should really have seen him take an early bath had the referee correctly dealt with his early challenge on Walker.  

Dom Collins Goes For The Ball

However, Burton effectively closed out the game with six minutes of normal time remaining when they got their second goal.  Matty Palmer was given too much time just outside the box and fired in a swerving shot from 22 yards, which beat the otherwise impressive Lloyd-Weston.

Sam Smith, under no pressure, blazed over when well placed and Rankine saw a shot blocked but the game ended with The Bulls still grafting without reward.

FT Burton 2 Bulls 0

Hereford: Evans (Lloyd-Weston 46), Leaditter, Collins, McDonald, Purdie, Walker, O’Keefe, Artus, Krans (Smith 60) Odihambo (Brown 60) Unused subs Sharp, Edwards

Burton: Lyness, Edwards, Hussey, Diamond, Sharps, Bell, Weir, McCrory, McGurk, Palmer, Kee. Subs Poole, MacDonald, Phillips, Knowles, Holness, Dyer, Symes.

BN MOM – Frankie Artus

A very decent following of well over 250 Bulls fans made the trip but with no tickets issued at the turnstiles and a gate of only 2069 announced for a game that looked well supported by the home team it is wondered if the visiting fans were not included in the count?

Sadly, the result will not help the finances at Edgar Street with hopes of a draw and a replay at least to help the cashflow.  The team tried but lacked that touch of quality to turn the game.  A repeat performance and a long overdue pinch of luck could see us edge the match against Chester on Tuesday.

Rob Purdie put in a solid performance at fullback and Frankie Artus was very impressive in midfield but Burton just had a little too much and the result was probably a fair reflection over the ninety minutes.

See you Tuesday.

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