Battered Bulls Slayed by Dragons

Following mid-weeks 2-1 loss to Macclesfield, Manager Martin Foyle changed the starting XI and formation ahead of today’s St. David’s Day clash with Wrexham. Kingsley James and Chris Bush replaced Sam Smith and Rod McDonald respectively. United started in a formation which saw utility player Rob Purdie play just behind striker Chris Sharp.

Rob Purdie Played Behind Striker Chris Sharp In The First Half

The first half started fairly positive for the Bulls, with some good movement in the danger area. A quick one-two manoeuvre between Sharp and Purdie, saw the ball played too far ahead of onrushing Brown.

After just 10 minutes of play, Hereford found themselves on the back foot. Johnny Hunt latched onto a cross from midfielder Joe Clarke, and pumped the ball into the top right of Rhys Evans’ net.

Wrexham Are In Front After Ten Minutes

Chris Sharp had a goal ruled-out for offside, just 4 minutes later. A cross from Leadbitter to James in the box was quickly laid off to Sharp, whose neat tap into the net was deemed offside by referee Martin.

Dean Keates won a free kick for Wrexham, which saw Evans rise up above the crowded penalty area, to catch Neil Ashton’s free kick. Hereford’s stopper fell nastily onto his shoulder, and the injury was visible throughout the rest of the first period.

A series of long throws and crosses were delivered into Wrexham’s box, but the Dragons’ defence dealt with these all too easily.

A chance for the Bulls came of the half hour mark, when Artus took his free kick short to Bush, whose powerful shot was deflected out for a corner, after making it over the 4 man wall. Dom Collins then headed the flag kick over the cross bar.

Rhys Evans pulled off a fantastic save at the back post, when he palmed Mark Carrington’s right-footed shot around the upright for a fruitless corner.

Wrexham doubled their advantage minutes from half time, when a ball from Carrington found Ogleby’s left foot and he side footed the ball into the corner of the Bulls’ net.

Wrexham Double Their Lead

HT: Hereford 0 – Wrexham 2

With starting keeper Rhys Evans pulling a shoulder muscle, he was replaced by Daniel Lloyd-Weston at half time.

Dan Lloyd Weston About To Take Over As Keeper

Dan Walker received the ball on the right and should’ve offloaded the ball to Brown, but instead carried the ball into the centre and had a off-balance shot that went well wide.

Wrexham seemed content with their 2 goal lead, and United failed to register a shot on target until the 87^th minute, when Dom Collins forced Coughlin to make a save, after he headed Kingsley James’ cross goal bound.

Sam Smith replaced Chris Sharp amongst a chorus of boos and discontent from Hereford fans, midway through the second half. Youth Teamer Cory Williams also made an appearance but neither substitution had any real impact, although at least the young Williams does provide greater movement up front although with no service he or any other striker would struggle to shine.

Cory Williams Keeps Dean Keates Off the Ball

Leadbitter moved to play on the right of midfield and Purdie dropped back into a defensive position. Leadbitter’s occasional runs forward into Wrexham’s half, did prove problematic for defence, but they dealt with him every time. Williams did give Wrexham’s back four something to think about, but again, nothing to trouble keeper Coughlin.

Dom Collins Gets His Head On The Ball

Hereford and Wrexham both had chances to score, but the Bulls’ lack of quality in the final third meant the game ended 2-0.

FT: Hereford 0 – Wrexham 2

Att: 1,884 with 344 from abroad

Sponsors’ MOTM: Daniel Leadbitter

Hereford: Evans (Lloyd-Weston 46’), Leadbitter, Bush, James, Graham, Purdie, Walker, Sharp (Smith 67’), Collins, Artus, Brown (Williams 78’). Subs not used: Edge, Bowen.

Wrexham: Coughlin, Wright, Livesey, Tomassen, Ashton; Carrington, Keates, Clarke; Anyinsah, Bishop, Hunt. Subs not used: Mayebi, Clowes, Evans, Ogleby, Bailey-Jones.

After a fifth successive defeat, a relegation battle now appears to be looming. Perhaps some of the players need to take a long, hard look at their performances of late, because even if they don’t want to play for Hereford United, surely they will want to impress future employers.

And on a slightly brighter note, good luck to Daniel Lloyd-Weston for his England C game in Jordan next week.

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