Match Report - Darlington 1 Hereford 1

Sub Osborne's Strike Sailed Into The Back Of The New

Harewood Bull watched Hereford draw at Darlington yesterday.

Stopping the rot?

While making our way up the A59 through the Yorkshire countryside the following thoughts ran through my head. Could the Bulls avoid conceding a goal in the first 15 minutes? Did we really have to fight off 7 other clubs to sign Montel Gibson, and would he prove to be the Full Monty or just another journeyman footballer? Most importantly, would there be a decent pie on offer today?

We arrived in plenty of time at Blackwell Meadows, which is a good set up, well organised and with friendly staff, reasonable facilities and a good playing surface. The Bulls made a change in attack, with Willo on the bench to allow Rem and Monty (isn’t that a TV show?) to work together up front. Richardson in goal, back four of Skinner, Howkins, Parker and Hudson. Central midfield had D’Ath and Richards with Sterling-James and Nto the wide players.

Hereford started encouragingly, moving the ball well. Nto got a couple of crosses in from the right with no-one on the end of them. On the other side Hudson got into some good crossing positions but the final ball didn’t trouble the home defence. D’Ath was busy in midfield, nothing spectacular but keeping everything moving and tightening up the centre when he had to – what the great old rugby commentator Bill McLaren used to call “doing the needful”.

Darlington had their chances, and Richardson had to make a smart save from Scott in the 12th minute. Maskell, the home number nine was a bit of a handful all afternoon. He’s a big strong guy and Howkins had a battle on his hands.

Campbell and Gibson have played together in the past, but the partnership wasn’t delivering very much on this occasion. Rem battled away as usual but Gibson was caught unnecessarily offside more than once.

On 26 minutes a well worked corner routine by the home side gave Main a tap in at the far post, but the flag was up for offside. A fortunate decision for the Bulls. Another corner was their undoing on 36 minutes. Before the kick was taken there was the usual pushing, shoving and grappling, with most of the players seemingly crammed into the six yard box. The ref intervened to tell them to pack it in, which was of course ignored, and when the corner finally came in there were appeals for a penalty as a Darlo player was wrestled to the ground. It didn’t matter as seconds later Maskell forced the ball home from close range to put the Quakers one nil up.

From then until half time the Bulls were under pressure but held out. The final act had Richardson saving comfortably from a curling free kick from MGowan.

Half Time: Darlington FC 1 Hereford FC 0

Darlington started the second half as they the finished the first, creating some good chances. The Bulls survived a penalty appeal when substitute Rutledge had his shirt pulled, and Cedric Main’s shot hit the upright on 61 minutes.

Caddis needed to do something and brought Osborne on for Nto and Williams for Gibson. Richards seemed to be carrying a knock and looked to me to be struggling but it was the 74th minute before he was replaced by Edwards. Between those substitutions D’Ath had a shot at the end of a good run that forced a save from the home keeper, and Williams curled a shot wide after a good break down the left by Parker.

An adjustment in defence moved the big West Brom loanee to left wing back and his obvious quality stood out with some surging runs down that flank. Hereford’s equaliser came from one of those runs, Parker’s ball into the middle found Osborne who scored with a classy finish with the outside of his foot. 

Shortly after Richardson made another good save from Lennon.

 

Bitemo came on as a late substitute and was involved in a nasty collision with the Darlo keeper when challenging for a cross from Williams. He lay motionless on the pitch as he was attended to for some time by both team’s staff, surrounded by his concerned team mates, before being stretchered off. Paul Caddis said in his post match interview that Bitemo was conscious and seemed OK but had no memory of the incident. We all hope he suffered no serious damage and wish him all the best. Caddis also thought that it should have been a penalty – I think that’s debatable, both players were going for the ball.

When play resumed Parker made another good run before flashing a low ball across the goal with Williams unable to make a connection, and the game finished in a draw.

Full Time: Darlington FC 1 Hereford FC 1

Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Parker, Howkins, Hudson, D’Ath, Richards (Edwards 74), Nto (Osborne 65), Sterling-James (Bitemo 89; Preston 90+14), Campbell, Gibson (Williams 65)

Subs: Lewis, Quansah

Darlington: Jameson, Barrow, Platt, Lees, Maskell, Main, Allan, Scott, Barton, McGowan, Stanton

Subs: Hedley, Kirokiro, Rutledge, Hopper, Lennon, McGrath

Paul Caddis said after the game that we have “stopped the rot” with now three games unbeaten. I think it’s too soon to get excited but there are signs of improvement, but we still lack a consistent goal threat. There were times when we faded from the game, but started and finished strongly, with as Caddis said, a lot more intensity. A bit more consistency is needed.

Men of the match – Richardson did well, Parker is obviously a class act and if we can secure an extension to his loan period that can only be a good thing, and D’Ath had a good ninety minutes.

And finally, to the pies. Mark Jones in one of his always entertaining match previews described me as the “pie loving northern correspondent” for Bulls News. That conjures up a fairly unflattering image, but good example of the pie maker’s art completes the match day experience for me. Darlo’s were very good – at least 8.5 out of 10. Substantial filling, good pastry and tasty gravy on top.

FA Cup next week!

COYW.

Harwood Bull