With Manager Martin Foyle planning to field the same side
that lost to Dartford on Saturday, Michael Rankine was forced to pull out at
the last minute due to a hamstring problem arising in the warm-up. Chris Sharp
bridged the gap. With a last minute space appearing on the bench, youth teamer Jarrod
Bowen was drafted in.
With the Bulls kicking off, they showed some early intent
with a cross from Dan Walker headed out. Artus’ resulting corner was sent
straight into the hands of Rhys Taylor.
Macclesfield were soon on the counterattack and causing
problems for Hereford’s back four. Nothing came of this early possession, and
the ball was sent long up the field for Sharp to chase. With Sharp holding the
ball up down the right, the Bulls were slow to get up to help him, and the ball
was cleared by the Silkmen.
Jon Brown had a good chance to give the hosts the lead after
18 minutes, when following a pin-point cross from Artus to Purdie, Purdie
played the ball back to Brown for a left footed shot just outside the 18-yard
box. His shot was wide, but took a deflection of a Macclesfield defender on the
way out for a wasted corner, as well as narrowly missing a sliding Smith.
Dan Walker showed both pace and determination, when a run up
the flank saw a cross into the box which
Sharp could not quite stretch far enough to get the finishing touch.
Macclesfield took the lead when a Peter Winn corner was sent
in to the far post, and George Pilkington’s header was enough to beat
goalkeeper Rhys Evans.
Danny Leadbitter sprinted up the wing trying to get a cross
in to the box, but was harshly brought down by Whitaker, who was shown a yellow
for his actions. Silkmen keeper Taylor was untroubled by Frankie’s free kick
and calmly caught the ball.
An immense period of pressure came from Macclesfield as the
half agonisingly drew to a close. Skipper Luke Graham was initially accused of
handling the ball in his own area before the ball trickled out for a corner. From
the corner, Pilkington headed the ball goal-bound, only for the chance to be
blocked by Purdie stood on the line, who was then judged to have handled the
ball – referee Barratt disagreed with his assistant and play was waved on.
HT: Hereford 0 – Macclesfield 1
Just 3 minutes into the second half, United’s woes
increased, when a Macclesfield corner was only cleared as far as Danny Andrew;
he crossed again for Scott Boden to head past the static Evans.
Rhys Evans Well Beaten |
Taylor threw the ball out, but only as far as left back Andrew.
Walker quickly closed him down and the pressure proved too much as Hereford’s
winger came away with possession. As Walker went to strike, what would’ve been
an excellent goal, Andy Halls slid in to deny Hereford a life-line. Smith was
quick to follow up this attempt with a snapshot of his own, but the effort was
too wide to trouble Taylor.
Cory Williams injected some life into the game when he
replaced Chris Sharp.
Dom Collins Scored Hereford's Only Goal |
Collins 'Like A Bird' |
Cory Williams |
FT: Hereford 1 – Macclesfield 2
Att: 1,013 with 33 from Cheshire
Hereford: Evans, Leadbitter, Graham, Collins, McDonald (Bush
52’), Walker, Brown, Artus, Purdie (James 52’), Sharp (Williams 74’), Smith. Subs
not used: Bowen, Edge.
Macclesfield: Taylor, Halls, Connor, Pilkington, Andrew,
Mackreath, Turnbull, Whittaker, Winn, Sodje (Holroyd 71’), Boden (Williams 84’).
Subs not used: Branagan, Rowe, Kay.
With Michael Rankine missing from the starting line up, Hereford
missed his excellent hold up play and failed to get a foothold in the game; but
only up until the last 15 minutes, when the Bulls scored their first goal in 3
games. Hopefully, with this being the
last game in February, the Manager of the Month curse will now be passed onto
the next manager.
New month, new fortunes. See you Saturday.