Hereford United fell to a 2-1 defeat in the opening match of the League One season at Brisbane Road against Leyton Orient. Dean Beckwith had given The Bulls a dream start with a well-placed header, but a cross/shot from John Melligan levelled proceedings. Adam Boyd then netted the winner just before half-time after a handball by Richard Rose in the box allowed the striker to score from the spot.
Graham Turner opted to start Darren Randolph in between the sticks, whilst Sam Oji partnered Beckwith in defence. Kris Taylor joined Matty Done in a five-man midfield, with Moses Ashikodi starting as a lone front man. No defenders were named on the bench. Leyton Orient named former Hereford captain Tamika Mkandawire in their line-up, and he received an excellent ovation from the travelling army. Paul Terry, younger brother of John, started in midfield for Martin Ling's side.
O's skipper Stephen Purches had the earliest opportunity, but his snapshot from the edge of the box was held by Randolph, whilst Rose got a cross in from the by-line but a neat flick by Ashikodi at the front post fell wide. Taylor tried his luck from long-range, but Glenn Morris caught the ball despite back-tracking, and catching his left leg on the post in the process. Terry sliced over from 20 yards, before Hereford managed to grab the lead. The goal started with a neat break and pass from Toumani Diagouraga to find Rose on the right; his cross was nearly inch perfect for Ben Smith, but Mkandawire cleared under pressure for a corner, although the ball was close to finding the top corner. Simon Johnson took the resulting corner, and Beckwith lost his marker to head into the net from ten yards, with the help of a slight deflection.
The lead lasted eight minutes, when the impressive Melligan picked the ball up on the right. He cut in, and with his left-foot crossed towards goal. The ball bounced past Oji, who failed to deal with it, and went past Randolph to make the score one apiece. At the other end, Ashikodi tried his best to make something happen when neat footwork allowed him to coast past two defenders, but his shot was dragged horribly wide. Boyd struck a half-volley past the post but he made no mistake just minutes later as Orient won a penalty. Melligan's quick thinking saw him take a free-kick, and Mkandawire attacked it. His header struck the arm of Rose, and a penalty was awarded. Boyd stepped up, and although Randolph guessed correctly, the shot was too powerful and Ling's team went in at half-time in front.
The second-half was a poor affair, with little chances for either side. Ashikodi's chest and overhead kick from a Done throw was the only notable chance for United in the third quarter of the game, whilst Ryan Jarvis smashed a shot yards past Randolph's near post. Wayne Gray was bought on for Jarvis in the 70th minute, whilst Bradley Hudson-Odoi replaced Ashikodi. The Bulls threatened rarely, and the times they did were from long-range and were through Taylor. Firstly, a curling free-kick was easily stopped by Morris, whilst another powerful long-range effort from the former Walsall man fell into Morris's arms. Sean Thornton came on for Terry, and Steve Guinan added firepower up front when he replaced Smith, but it was too little avail. Done had Hereford's last chance from just outside the box, when found by Taylor, but his low shot was straight at Morris. Orient could have added a third late on when a cross from the left was chested down by Boyd for Gray to strike but he could only smash against the post. Loick Pires replaced Boyd in the final minute of normal time as Leyton Orient saw out the game to claim an opening day victory.
It's early days for United, and although this wouldn't have been the start that Turner and co would have wanted there is plenty of time to get it right. In defence, Oji looked shakey against his former employers, and young Gary Breen will be looking to stake a claim for a first-team place. Kris Taylor was United's star man, with the midfielder looking in good shape. Up front, United looked as though they needed someone alongside Ashikodi; no doubt Turner will be looking to add to the team in the coming weeks. In front of 4727 supporters, including a following of 805 Bulls fans, Orient looked a useful side in the division, with strength across the field, and some good ball players. Up next is a trip to Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, before old Conference rivals Yeovil Town visit Edgar Street next Saturday.
Hereford: Randolph, Rose, Oji, Beckwith, Threlfall, Johnson, Diagouraga, Taylor, Done, Smith, Ashikodi.
Subs: Samson, Macleod, Easton, Hudson-Odoi, Guinan.
Leyton Orient: Morris, Purches, Mkandawire, Saah, Granville, Melligan, Chambers, Terry, Demetriou, Boyd, Jarvis.
Subs: Jones, Palmer, Thornton, Pires, Gray.