Bulls hit treble at Southport

Hereford United secured their first away win since August when Dom Collins, Michael Rankine and Ross Dyer scored without reply from the hosts at Haig Avenue this afternoon.

The side was unchanged from the Chester game with youth team midfielder Billy Murphy retaining his spot on the bench.  Southport were without “Duke” Ellington through injury but included Jamie Milligan who was so impressive for Hyde last season.

Milligan was first to show as he squared to Fitzpatrick but his shot was reassuringly well dealt with by Dan Lloyd-Weston.  Dan Walker saw a scuffed shot gathered by Hurst for the home side while Rankine also tested the keeper with a deceptive cross.  Frankie Artus delivered into the path of Rankine, which brought a hasty heave into the Stand by Hurst.

Bushy’s long throw into the danger area was not dealt with but Ross Dyer could only stab over.  Artus’ shot from the edge of the D drew a fine save from Hurst who managed to palm away for a corner, which would result in the opening goal.  Artus swung the flag kick in which was half cleared out to Rankine. 

Goalward Bound

But when Damon Lathrope whipped in a second cross, Dom Collins glanced a header just inside the far post.

Celebration Time

The Bulls’ fans were “arms raised” again two minutes later when Artus dinked a beauty through to O’Keefe who slotted home only for the flag to deny a goal.  

Josh O'Keefe's Strike Landed In The Goal But Was Disallowed For Offside

Leadbitter broke from the back but his one-two with Walker to put him clear was woefully overhit and the ball ran to touch.  Rutherford came of worse in a challenge on Walker and was replaced by Osawe on 38 minutes.

Another Chance For O'Keefe

As the half drew to a close, Artus was inches away from adding to the lead with a screamer from 25 yards that whistled past the upright and Osawe brought a spectacular save from Lloyd-Weston who tipped a wickedly swerving free kick over the bar.

HT Southport 0 Bulls 1

Dyer was held back as he burst into the Southport box and the free kick produced another flicked header by Collins but Hurst was equal to it.  At the other end, Milligan worked some space to get a cross in but Lloyd-Weston was confidently out to gather.  Leadbitter had a teasing cross punched away by Hurst and then had to defend at the other end conceding a corner from which James Smith blazed well over.

A Rankine piledriver was blocked away while Ross Dyer and Dan Walker both efforts go wide.  A Rankine header was not far away at the back post and Chris Bush also blasted one goalward that was blocked away for a corner.  The flag kick was followed by a second that produced the second goal.  Artus drilled a cross into the six-yard box and Rankine was well positioned to turn in from close range with twenty minutes remaining.

Rankine Scored Hereford's Second Goal

Walker forced another corner on the right but was promptly replaced by Jon Brown.  McDonald powered a header over from the corner and shortly after, Rankine saw another shot deflected over off the arm of a defender only to be awarded a corner.  Rankine’s impressive shift came to an end with three minutes remaining of normal time as Sam Smith replaced him.  Smith’s first real contribution was to feed Dyer who calmly finished from 15 yards.

And Ross Dyer Made It Three

The three added minutes saw another fine save from Lloyd-Weston as he went full length to deny Milligan.

FT Southport 0  Bulls 3

Hereford: Lloyd-Weston, Leadbitter, Collins, MacDonald, Bush, Walker (J Brown 74), Lathrope, O’Keefe, Artus, Rankine (S Smith 88), Dyer. Subs unused: Edwards, Murphy, Odhiambo.

Southport: Hurst, Challoner, J Smith, M Brown, Fitzpatrick, S Brown, Milligan, Irie-Bi (Willis 74), Rutherford (Osawe 39), Hattersley, Almond (Akrigg 67). Subs unused: Stevenson, Flynn.

Att: 876 including a reported 92 happy ones.

It stayed dry, we kept a clean sheet and scored three…a good day all round.

It was particularly pleasing to see DLW put the Chester game behind him with a sound display with some really good saves.  The back line were back to form while O’Beefe and the increasingly impressive Lathrope formed a workmanlike partnership in midfield.  Frankie Artus seems to grow by the game and was, once again, instrumental in much of the attacking play from his narrow left sided role while Dan Walker continues to give his all and produced some dangerous crosses.  Up top, Michael Rankine caused chaos with his all-action style and Ross Dyer seems to have struck up a second striker understanding that has been lacking most of the season.

This was a further improvement on the Burton and Chester performances and shows what can be achieved if Martin Foyle can keep the growing confidence and structure in place.

Looking forward to Lincoln now but off to support the lads at Lesterfield on Tuesday first.

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