DLW ensures Bulls point

Keeper Lloyd-Weston Shaking Hands With Referee Huxtable With The Young Hereford Mascot Watching

An outstanding display by newly capped England C goalkeeper Daniel Lloyd-Weston, saw the Bulls gain a single point against already relegated Hyde.

With Martin Foyle’s injury-hit squad shrinking by the game, a tired-looking Hereford started in the familiar 4-4-2 formation; with only once change to the starting XI. Jon Brown replaced the injured Daniel Leadbitter on the right of midfield. Michael Rankine was named as a sub on the bench.

Hyde dominated much of the first half, and right from the word go, keeper Daniel Lloyd-Weston was put through his paces. Midfielder Connor Hughes managed to drag his shot wide, ensuring Hyde didn’t open the scoring within the first 5 minutes.

Chris Sharp Beats Clark To The Ball

Jon Brown challenged for the ball in midfield, and was shown enough of the ball to gain possession and pass the ball downfield to Chris Sharp. Sharp proceeded to take the ball into the box, and tried his luck from the right of the danger area. His shot was too wide to trouble Hyde keeper Kettings.

Two more chances followed for Hyde, firstly, Thurston’s long range attempt whistled inches wide of the upright, before Hughes forced Lloyd-Weston into a fine save.

As the half progressed, some neat work by Hyde saw Josh Brizzel provide Liam Tomsett with the ball, meaning he could tap the ball goal bound, but Lloyd-Weston was on hand again, diving to deny Hyde the lead.

A rare period of United possession followed, resulting in a underwhelming effort by Dan Walker. After running into space in Hyde’s box, a nice ball forward from midfield meant Walker could get his shot away, but it lacked conviction and was gathered by keeper Kettings. As the half wore on, Sharp had a half-chance when he hit a neat pass from Brown, but his shot was all too easily gathered.

Jon Brown, Dan Walker, Jamie Edge and Frankie Artus In The Wall As Brizell Takes A Free Kick

Minutes from half time, Hyde had another good chance when Liam Tomsett was awarded a free kick after Kingsley James made a poor tackle just outside United’s box. Blakeman’s fierce shot was on target, but yet again Lloyd-Weston tipped the effort superbly over the cross bar for a fruitless corner.

HT: Hereford 0 – Hyde 0

The fans’ spirits were raised slightly after the break, when Michael Rankine replaced the injured Frankie Artus.

Following a poor first half performance, the second half started on a brighter note. Following 2 short attacking throws by Collins, Bush came forward to launch a 3rd consecutive throw into the box, with one of his trademark long throw ins. Walker got on the end of it, but his shot was deflected wide of the target. Edge’s following corner was delivered deep into the danger area, but United’s blunt attack allowed Hyde to clear the ball.

Josh Brizzel  finally managed to  beat Lloyd-Weston, but his powerful shot smashed against the upright which denied the defender his 3rd league goal this season.

Foyle’s second substitution of the match saw Chris Sharp leave the field of play to make way for Sam Smith amongst some discontent from Bulls fans.

Sub Sam Smith Gets A Telling Off And A Yellow Card From Referee Huxtable

Minutes later, Michael Rankine had an opportunity to put his name of the score sheet, when he flicked Bush’s cross goal bound, but Kettings was well-positioned to make a save. Foyle was then forced to replace Rankine with Purdie, when after a powerful run Rankine’s hamstring once again proved too much of a problem for him to continue. 

Strikers Michael Rankine And Dan Walker

Referee Huxtable had no choice but to show Blakeman a yellow card following an awful tackle on Rob Purdie. Bush’s free kick from 20 yards was delivered nicely into the danger area, but Rod McDonald was adjudged to have fouled McQuade in the box.

Jon Brown popped up with United’s best chance of the game 2 minutes from time, when Bush’s long throw dropped to the feet of the unmarked Brown, who cleanly hit the ball goal bound, only for his shot to be well parried by Kettings. Walker followed up with a shot, but was deflected out for a ineffective corner.

FT: Hereford 0 – Hyde 0

Att: 1,378 with a surprising 29 from Hyde

Sponsors’ MotM: Goalkeeper Daniel Lloyd-Weston

Hereford: Lloyd-Weston, Collins, Graham, McDonald, Bush, Brown, James, Edge, Artus (Rankine 46’), Walker, Sharp (Smith 60’). Subs: Moore, Rankine, Purdie (Rankine 64’), Smith, Bowen.

Hyde: Kettings, Brizell, McQuade, Day (Fitzgerald 88’), Blakeman, Clark, Thurston, Haining (Kirby 35’), Tomsett, Hughes, Carlton (Ashworth 73’). Subs: Ashworth, Thornton, Fitzgerald, Pollard, Kirby.

This was a case of two points dropped by the Bulls, as they showed already relegated Hyde far too much respect, especially in the first half when they sat back and allowed them to attack at will. The introduction of Michael Rankine at the start of the second half was a gamble that appeared to be paying off, until he pulled up with his hamstring again, and now is probably doubtful for much of the remainder of the season. In all honesty, United can count themselves lucky not to have lost this game by at least 2 or 3 goals, and have DLW to thank for the point gained.

Wrexham away on Tuesday, see you there.

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