Signs of recovery despite another loss

The Bulls were defeated by two first half goals from Keanu Marsh-Brown at Barnet’s Hive Stadium this afternoon but put in a workmanlike shift to provide hope for the run-in.

Debut For Jarrod Bowen

Caretaker Boss Peter Beadle, perhaps predictably, gave a start to one of his Youth Team squad in the form of Jarrod Bowen while Sam Smith was handed a central strikers role.  With little time to assess his troops Beadle understandably didn’t tinker much with the team and given more time it is hoped that the fruits of his labour will be more evident in the coming weeks.

Rod McDonald took as nasty bang on the side of the head from a wayward elbow early on and had to receive lengthy treatment before retuning to the fray.  The Bees were the first to show attacking intent when Weston tested Dan Lloyd-Weston from distance.

Sharpie got in a low cross that was blocked to safety before Bowen got an early taste of the action when he was unceremoniously bundled over to win a free kick.  Kingsley James swung in a centre that was headed away for a corner but the resulting flag kick failed to produce a threat.

Sam Smith was busy up top before a Collins header drew a save from Jupp in the home goal.  Marsh-Brown saw a shot deflected wide by Luke Graham.  From the corner, the hosts took a somewhat fortunate lead.  Marsh-Brown curled the flag kick to the back post and it sneaked under the bar with Lloyd-Weston hampered on the line.

The lead was doubled on 23 minutes when Marsh-Brown turned inside to curl a shot just inside the far post.

Barnet's Second Goal

Dom Collins was harshly carded for his protest when Bowen was shoved off the ball then DLW was quickly out to gather a cross from overlapping fullback Yiadom.  There was a period of scrappy play from both sides but The Bees were slightly the quicker to react and pick up the loose balls.

Ten minutes before the break McDonald went to his knees clearly still suffering from the early bang on the head and after further treatment had to leave the field to be replaced by Rob Purdie.  Collins moved to centre-back with Purds dropping in at right back.

After taking a few minutes to settle to the task, Purdie slipped a ball forward to Kingsley James and his probing ball forward was met with a snap shot from Smith which Jupp did well to keep out at the near post.

With the early setbacks behind them, The Bulls settled to play some spells of decent football without producing consistent pressure.  Sharpie made a determined break to win a corner but Frankie Artus’ cross was over hit and drifted out for a throw.

Jarrod Bowen Gets The Ball Off Gjokaj

 Bowen broke into the box to beat two defenders before being dispossessed by Jupp and with a little more experience might have won a spot kick had his youthful enthusiasm not prevented him staying on his feet.

But Can't Quite Beat Keeper Jupp

HT Barnet 2 Bulls 0

In a bright start to the second period Jon Brown was felled and from the Artus’ free kick Dom Collins header went just wide of the target.  Sam Smith was just short with a diving header and Artus saw a shot blocked followed a good feed from Chris Bush.

 Free Kick About To BeTaken By Frankie Artus

Bowen and Purdie combined well before the latter produced a cross into the box that failed to find an attacking forward before Walker replaced Smith and Pilkington came on for Bowen in a double switch with twenty minutes remaining.

Vilhete was rightly carded for a late challenge on Purdie before Walker’s cross was blocked for a corner and Jon Brown’s volley was high over the bar.  Pilkington impressed with a couple of useful runs and crosses but the lack of a seasoned striker, once again, meant that the finishing touch was lacking.

Despite a determined effort as the game closed, The Bulls were unable to find enough quality in the final third.

FT Barnet 2 Bulls 0

BN MOTM – Rob Purdie

Hereford: Lloyd-Weston, Collins, Graham, McDonald (Purdie 35), Bush, Bowen (Pilkington 70), Artus, James, Brown, Sharp, Smith (Walker 70). Subs not used: Moore, Edge.

Barnet: Jupp, Yiadom, Johnson (Saville 62), Weston, Harper, Marsh-Brown (Dymond 59), Crawford (Gambin 46), Vilhete, Nurse, Stephens, Gjokaj. Subs not used: Barnes, Peterson.

Attendance 1497 with a particularly noisy 197 Herefordians.

Beadle Discussing The Game With Steve Jenkins And Luke Graham

There wasn’t a lot between the two sides apart from in the attacking end and a quickness to the ball in midfield.  Peter Beadle And Steve Jenkins now have a full week to work with their new charges to prepare for the visit of Grimsby on Saturday and having recently taken a point from The Mariners on their own patch the opportunity to build on this performance should give encouragement to both team and fans alike.

See you Saturday at The Street.

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