On This Day In 2012

On Boxing Day in 2012, Kidderminster were the visitors at Edgar Street.

A look back:

Early strike seals Kiddy victory

A sixth minute goal from Jamille Matt handed Kidderminster three points in their local derby at Edgar Street. The in form striker ensured that Harriers secured a seventh straight league victory whilst Hereford have now lost three games in all competitions. 2,902 were in attendance on a soggy Boxing Day, with 755 making the short journey from Worcestershire.

Marley Watkins returned to the starting line up after a long stint out with injury, whilst Kyle Perry and Brian Smikle were the preferred partnership up front. The visitors included Josh Gowling in their first eleven; former Bull Steve Guinan failed to make the squad.

The Bulls were the first to threaten; Will Evans fired a trademark 25 yard shot over the crossbar. Minutes later though and the visitors were in front. A corner from the left wasn't properly dealt with and Kyle Storer returned the ball into the danger area; after it had riocheted around, Matt eventually prodded goalwards and the ball trickled over the line.

Kyle Perry Trying To Get To The Ball

 

Martin Foyle's men reacted well, with some good build up inside the Harriers' half eventually leading to Watkins being slid clear down the right and the former Cheltenham trainee sent a deep cross to the back-post where Clucas controlled a volley just past the post. 

Brian Smikle Waiting For The Ball From Perry

 

Perry's quick-thinking on the touchline allowed him to play a one-two with Smikle but his strike went harmlessly wide. Harriers used a similar tactic as a clever throw in created space for Anthony Malbon to drive into and his dipping shot cleared James Bittner's crossbar.

 

Just Before Half Time James Bittner Received Attention From Dr Frith To A Head Wound

 

After the half-time dressdown, United returned to the pitch with more attacking intent. Smikle slid a pass to the lively Watkins and he struck early from 20 yards, clipping the outside of the post with his drive. At the other end, Townsend got too tight to Malbon and the attacker skipped past him and then went away from Harry Pell and his dangerous cross was palmed away by Bittner, before being cleared to safety. Hereford looked nervous in the sticky conditions and were nearly made to pay for indecisive defending; a cross from the left wasn't cleared, causing panic in the Bulls' back-line with Joe Heath giving the ball away creating the opportunity for James Vincent to fire over from inside the area.

With the game settling into a scrappy encounter, both sides made a host of changes. Josh O'Keefe and Andy Gallinagh came on for Perry and Townsend, but Gallinagh's afternoon didn't last long after being on the end of a poor tackle from Mickey Demetriou, leaving Gallinagh needing eight stitches in a wound to his ankle. 

Andy Gallinagh Brought Down By Dunkley

 

Phil Marsh replaced the former Cheltenham defender. Kidderminster also made changes, with Nathan Blissett and Ryan Rowe introduced in place of goalscorer Matt and Malbon. In the closing stages, the Bulls countered after Harriers had pushed forward with Clucas breaking from deep in the Hereford half. He fed a well-timed run by Marsh, who got up to 18 yard box, passing low to Smikle. The former Harriers man tried to set up Pell but the ball broke back to him where he fired goalwards but his effort was well blocked. In added time, Sean Clancey replaced Ricky Shakes.

Marley Watkins About To Pass To Will Evans

 

It was a fairly poor game, with Harriers shading the encounter with the early strike from Matt. United, for all their hard-work and and endeavour, lacked hugely in the final third with Perry and Smikle failing to threaten. The absence of Ryan Bowman and Marlon Jackson has been a telling factor in the lack of goals. The conditions didn't help as the pitch cut up badly in the pouring rain, putting some doubt whether the home game with Newport County on Saturday will go ahead.

 

Hereford: Bittner, Townsend, Graham, Stam, Heath, Watkins, Pell, Evans, Clucas, Smikle, Perry.

Subs: Gallinagh, O'Keefe, McQuilkin, Hackney, Marsh.

 

Kidderminster: Lewis, Vaughan, Dunkly, Gowling, Demetriou, Storer, Vincent, Briggs, Shakes, Malbon, Matt.

Subs: Vaughan, Williams, Clancy, Rowe, Blissett.

 

Lack Of Cutting Edge Costs Bulls said Foyle

Hereford United manager Martin Foyle felt that his squad had put in a 'very, very hard honest working performance' this afternoon against Kidderminster despite losing 1-0.

"I thought we did alright without having that cutting edge and that little bit of luck," Foyle told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"Lewis (the Kidderminster keeper) got named man of the match and brought off three or four magnificent saves first half whereas Bitts didn't have a lot to do today.

"It was a poor goal, that's the only bad point today.

"We know how to defend corners, got the first ball but I can't remember much about how the ball dropped and who never reacted but it doesn't matter because it's in the back of the net. It gave them a life-line.

"I thought Clucs and Marley put some great corners and free-kicks in the first half but we couldn't get on the end of them."

Several Hereford players received knocks this afternoon.

"Four players are having stitches in the treatment room which isn't healthy.

"That tackle on Andy Gallinagh - I'm sorry I'm talking about the referee again, I thought he was way below the standard today.

"He's just run onto the ball, knocked it past him and the lad has taken him out.

"Studs up, he's got eight stitches in his foot.

"I'm not going to give the referee any recognition at all."

Referee Brett Huxtable About To Give Kyle Storer A Yellow Card For A Foul On Sam Clucas

 

The transfer window opens on January 1st and Foyle can't wait although several of his injured players are improving.

"I just want to get to January 1st to freshen up a little which I feel is important.

"Curruthers is running, Marlon is running but if you haven't any games for a long period it's very hard just to turn it on." 

 

We Deserved A Draw said Preedy

Hereford United director Dave Preedy felt the Bulls should have taken something from this afternoon's game against Kidderminster.

"I thought we deserved a draw," Preedy told BN.

"Their goal looked sloppy I thought. I'd like to see it again. Was it a mistake, did the ball stick in the mud or whatever?

"Our side is still lacking firepower up front.

"I thought we might have finished Kiddy's good run today.

"We just need to get to that January transfer window.

"Today Ryan Bowman would have made a difference. Our lads weren't sharp enough, Ryan would have been.

"Kiddy set themselves up knowing we haven't got a striker.

"Ryan is, I'd say, another three weeks away."

Preedy was not impressed with the tackle that left Andy Gallinagh having to have eight stitches in his foot after the game.

Gallinagh receiving attention from Ian Rodgerson

 

"Lad comes on, that run he did was fantastic, I think it may have been a goal-scoring chance.

"The lad has chopped him in half and he's hurt him.

"The ref has given him a yellow, sometimes you think the game is not fair.

"You get the break sometimes, today we didn't.

"They never intimidated us, we were up for it all the time.

"The lads worked their socks off I thought.

"Bittner didn't make many saves.

" A draw would have been a fair result." 

Finally asked if he had a New Years Resolution, Preedy responded positively.

"We are going to challenge for the play-offs!"