Report: Hereford comprehensively beaten at Guiseley

It was another bad away day for Hereford this afternoon as a hat-trick from Aaron Martin saw them beaten 3-0 by Guiseley.

It is the third match on the road that the Bulls have conceded at least three goals, while they failed to score for the second successive game.

The defeat means that the Bulls are six points adrift of the play-off places, although they still have two games in hand on the sides above them.

On a sunny afternoon in Yorkshire Bulls' manager Russell Slade made two changes giving on loan Jack Bodenham his debut in a Hereford shirt and starting Tommy O'Sullivan in place of Simeon Maye.

Jack Bodenham - First Start In A Hereford Shirt

Guiseley opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Martin got the better of Jordan Cullinane-Liburd before looping the ball over the head of Brandon Hall in the Hereford goal. In truth, the home side could easily have scored more in the first half.

Hall did very well to deny Aram Soleman's goal-bound effort, while Cullinane-Liburd cleared off the line. 

Jason Pope also had to clear his lines four minutes before the break after Hall was beaten from a low free kick.

Hereford started the second half well and enjoyed plenty of possession, without creating too many opportunities.

Martin should have made it 2-0 just past the hour mark, but his effort went wide, while Cullinane-Liburd again had to clear the ball off the line.

Reece Styche Wins A Free Kick

But Hurts His Shoulder

Brad Ash Takes The Free Kick

And The Keeper Drops The Ball But There Was No Hereford Player Close Enough To Take Advantage

While it was only 1-0, Hereford were very much in the game, but the match was sealed eight minutes from time.

Andrai Jones got the better of Jared Hodgkiss before squaring the ball to Martin, who slotted home for his second goal of the game.

And Martin sealed his hat-trick four minutes later from the penalty spot after Cullinane--Liburd brought down Jones.

Overall, it was another reminder how tough the National League North is and that you cannot afford to make too many defensive mistakes, especially when a marksman like Aaron Martin can punish you.

While at the other end of the pitch, many supporters will be concerned that the Bulls are only averaging a goal a game this season.

Next up is another tough match, this time at home to Gateshead on Tuesday.

The Tyneside club thumped Boston 3-0 today and have only lost once all season.

Hereford: Hall; Thomas, Cullinane-Liburd, Bodenham, Hodgkiss; Pope (Maye 65), Jagger Cane, O'Sullivan (Nicholson 76); Ash, Liburd, Styche. 

Subs not used: Symons, Owen-Evans, Gowling.

Attendance: 873