Hereford United crashed to their third successive 2-1 defeat at the hands of old Conference rivals Yeovil Town this afternoon. First-half strikes from Danny Schofield and Paul Warne put Yeovil in control at the break, although Bradley Hudson-Odoi tucked in a controversial goal to put late pressure on the visitors.
There were three changes from the mid-week defeat at Selhurst Park, with Darren Randolph making way in between the sticks for Scot Craig Samson. Clint Easton and Steve Guinan also started, with Kris Taylor and Matt Done making way as Hereford returned to a 4-4-2 formation. Yeovil started up front with the experienced Warne, and recent capture from non-league Gavin Tomlin.
The away side dominated the first-half proceedings in terms of chances, although Hereford had the majority of the possession. Terry Skiverton's floated header from a Terrell Forbes cross failed to trouble Samson, whilst Kieran Murtagh dragged a shot wide. Yeovil took the lead in the 19th minute when a cross from the right was controlled and layed off by Warne to Schofield who struck left-footed towards goal. The ball took a slight deflection of Ben Smith's boot and went in via the post. Minutes later, the advantage was doubled. Lee Peltier provided a pass up the line which Robbie Threlfall failed to intercept, and Aidan Downes found room on the right; he cut the ball back into the path of Warne who tucked in superbly from inside the box past the helpless Samson.
The Bulls only chance of note in the first-half fell to Moses Ashikodi after good closing down from Guinan but the Watford loanee's shot was wild. Darren Way was replaced by Craig Alcock late on in the half, before Warne hit a bouncing ball over from inside the area. Murtagh could have added an excellent third when he nut-megged Toumani Diagouraga to create a shooting opportunity, and his rasping drive went close to finding the far top corner.
United came out in the second-half with more purpose, but as has been the case in pre-season and the early games, there was a lack of success in the final third. Simon Johnson tried his luck from 30 yards with his shot dropping past the post. Link-up between Smith and Ashikodi saw the former switch to Johnson, but his cross/shot was pushed away by Yeovil goalie Asmir Begovic for a corner. Jack Macleod and Hudson-Odoi came on in place of Johnson and Ashikodi respectively, whilst Russel Slade opted to bring on Lloyd Owusu for the tricky Tomlin up top. Schofield should have made the game safe when inside the box as he used his strength to hold off Beckwith but his left-foot half-volley on the turn fell wide.
Hudson-Odoi went close to scoring his first professional goal when he nodded wide from a Guinan chip, whilst Easton curled into the arms of Begovic from the right-hand side. At the other end, Owusu's flick on was narrowly headed over by Alcock before Graham Turner put Done on for Easton. Minutes later, and Hereford were back in it, although somewhat controversially. Begovic failed to hold onto a cross from the right, and Smith hit it back into the box, which Begovic this time claimed. He appeared to have the ball in his hands, but Hudson-Odoi nicked it off him and netted from 8 yards out. Despite appeals from the Yeovil players, the referee allowed the goal. Andrew McColin replaced Warne late on, before United nearly grabbed a point in injury time. Macleod swung in a dangerous corner and Guinan rose at the back-post to head down towards goal but his effort hit the post and fell wide.
Again, United lose by a narrow one goal margin although in truth it's what they deserved in front of a dissapointing attendance of 3470, including 320 from Somerset. The work-rate of the team cannot be faulted but there is a lack of quality, especially in the final third. As is said about League One in comparison to League Two; the main difference is the ability to take your chances. Hereford are struggling with this, and as a result lie in the bottom four. With two weeks remaining in the transfer market, Graham Turner will no doubt be looking to add to his squad with a new striker a must. Next up for United is a trip to play the blue half of Bristol at the Memorial Stadium.
Hereford: Samson, Rose, Oji, Beckwith, Threlfall, Johnson, Diagouraga, Smith, Easton, Guinan, Ashikodi.
Subs: Randolph, Taylor, Macleod, Done, Hudson-Odoi.
Yeovil: Begovic, Peltier, Forbes, Skiverton, Smith, Downes, Way, Murtagh, Schofield, Warne, Tomlin.
Subs: Wagenaar, Jones, Alcock, Owusu, McColin.