Bulls extend run to 4 wins in 6

Josh O'Keefe Ready To Celebrate With Scorer Dom Collins

Following the impressive 4-1 over Southport last weekend, Martin Foyle fielded an unchanged starting XI.

Hereford were soon out of the blocks, trying to create chances right from the first whistle. After Sharp had carried the ball down the right wing, he sent an accurate cross into the box for Jon Brown. Rankine ducked out of the way of the ball as it came into the box, but as Brown struck it goal bound, it ricocheted off Rankine and then was cleared by Salisbury’s defence.

Salisbury had a few half chances in the opening fifteen minutes, Clovis Kamdjo had his initial shot scrambled off the goal line, but his follow up shot was wide and went out for a goal kick.

Chris Bush took a United attacking throw and delivered it into the box. Rankine got on the end and, with an overhead kick, forced visiting keeper Will Puddy to make a save. Following Michael Rankine’s effort, Hereford were awarded a corner minutes later. The initial effort was headed away, but the determined Frankie Artus won back possession but the ball went out harmlessly for a goal kick.

Hereford continued to dominate the first half, and after a period containing a couple of good chances, the ball was cleared from the danger area only as far as Dan Walker, but Puddy was well positioned to claim the ball and stop the Whites taking the lead.

Dan Walker Tries For Goal

A second consecutive corner for Hereford saw Artus deliver the ball into the box, but it was scrambled away by Salisbury’s defence, but again, only as far as Walker. A short pass to Bush was to follow, but his shot was too high and cleared the Blackfriars terrace comfortably.

Michael Rankine 'Won' Three Free Kicks In The First Half

After a decent chance by Michael Rankine, which went behind off a Salisbury defender, Artus’ in swinging corner was eventually cleared to Bush, whose effort was also cleared.

Salisbury Keeper Puddy Just Gets Above Dom Collins

In the closing stages of the first half, Salisbury had two chances, arguably some of the better of the first half; Jamie White got a shot away from the right hand side of the box. His effort rattled out off the outside of post. Minutes later, a second opportunity for White came when Lloyd-Weston tipped his shot wide for a corner, but nothing came from the corner as Dom Collins confidently cleared.

HT: Hereford 0 – Salisbury 0

Dan Walker had the first opportunity of the second half, when his hard work resulted in a shot being saved by Puddy. 

Dan Walker With Only Puddy To Beat

Minutes later, Frankie Artus helped the Bulls to keep the pressure on the visitors, when Puddy managed to get fingertips to his shot and send it out for a corner. Puddy then came off his line to catch the corner, but the ball went over his head to the feet of Walker, who sent his shot wide.

Just eight minutes after the break, a second Hereford corner was all it took to send the Bulls ahead. Artus’ inswinging corner found the head of Dom Collins who made no mistake with a diving header sending the ball through a crowded 6 yard box and into the centre of the goal.

Dom Collins, On The Ground, Watches His Header Fly Into The Back Of The Net

Walker then created himself another goal worthy opportunity when he used his pace to beat the Salisbury defence to the ball, but when faced with a one-on-one his shot was weak and went straight to the feet of Puddy. Hereford continued to try and double their lead, and Sharp was unlucky not to do just that, when his low strike went just wide of the target.

With Salisbury looking a little livelier in the second half, Martin Foyle decided to replace Dan Walker with youngster Jamie Edge.

With the half wearing on, Chris Sharp passed the ball to the onrushing Dom Collins. Collins crossed the ball into the box, but Puddy was ready and waiting and the ball sailed into his arms.

After winning a throw in, Bush delivered the ball into the box to set Michael Rankine up with a good chance, but his shot was blocked by the on-form Puddy.

Salisbury’s possession could’ve come to fruition after a goalmouth scramble saw the ball eventually being cleared by substitute Daniel Leadbitter. The resulting throw came to nothing for the visitors.

Jon Brown And Sub Danny Leadbitter Trying To Keep Possession

Captain Luke Graham prevented Salisbury a chance in the closing stages of the game, when he slid the ball out for a corner. The corner was floated into the box and struck the ball cleanly, but the well-positioned Lloyd-Weston kept the Bulls ahead.

FT: Hereford 1 – Salisbury 0

Att: 2,016 with a meagre 60 from Wiltshire.

Sponsors’ MotM: Midfielder Frankie Artus.

Hereford: Lloyd-Weston, Graham, Bush, McDonald, Collins (Leadbitter 77'), Artus, O'Keefe, Brown, Rankine, Walker (Edge 70'), Sharp (Purdie 90'). Subs not used: Williams, Smith.

Salisbury: Puddy, Kamdjo (Sinclair 61'), Hart (Clarke 53'), Wilson, Dutton, Brett, MacDonald, Frear, Feeney, White (Fitchett 80'), Lewis. Subs not used: Bittner, Wellard.

With an extra 500 home supporters through the gates, this was a fairly entertaining game considering the appalling weather conditions, with a very difficult swirling wind for the players to contend with. Once again, all of the players chosen by Foyle gave their all as did all the supporters. Same on Tuesday against Kidderminster please!

See you on Tuesday then.

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