It may seem on paper that tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat was merely another low point in a depressing sequence of results. However, the Bulls played a full part in an entertaining game, showing guile, creativity and commitment against their League 1 visitors. Indeed, Exeter’s ability to take chances was the deciding factor in an evenly contested match, the final margin of victory being somewhat flattering.
The teams were led out by the late Adam Stansfield’s sons as both sets of fans paid their respects to their departed hero. A giant replica shirt with Adam’s name on was laid out on the temporary seating at the Blackfriars end.
In a lively start, Exeter were first to fashion a chance, the former Bulls bit-part player Bertie Cozic fluffing his header when ideally placed. Guillem Bauza then played an incisive through ball to the speedy Joe Colbeck who was rather harshly punished for a push. Andy Marriot’s whipped cross (or is that a hospital near the Orient ground?) was handled safely, and then Sean Canham was slow to read another Bauza turn and flick. Richard Rose impressed with his distribution in his new midfield role as the game ebbed and flowed.
12 minutes had passed when the truism that a struggling side does not seem to enjoy its share of fortune seemed apt. Ex United (not Hereford, but some other outfit) youth trainee Daniel Nardiello skipped down the wing and Michael Townsend brought him down in the box. The incident was one of those “seen ‘em given” moments and the penalty award seemed harsh. Nardiello dusted himself down and fired his spot kick powerfully down the middle.
Undeterred, Hereford continued with some good passing moves, keeping the ball on the lush green Edgar Street turf and eschewing the hoofball seen recently. Whilst probably a little premature to credit caretaker boss Jamie Pitman for this, it was certainly a treat to see some entertaining play and a willingness to try new plans such as Colbeck and the keen to impress Dominik Werling switching flanks. Bauza displayed higher level skills and won a free kick with a rapid turn drawing a foul from Troy Archibald-Henville, presumably a pal of Bertie Wooster. From the free kick Jimmy Mcquilkin rattled the outside of a post.
Tony James’ return to the Street provided a calm presence at the heart of the defence, though he was fortunate to escape a yellow card for a high challenge on Cozic. The resultant free kick saw a 30 yard shot from David Noble which needed prompt attention from Adam Bartlett. Canham was now holding the ball well, and McQuilkin started to create openings for teammates, before thundering a shot of his own narrowly wide. Meanwhile, at the other end, Andy Marriott threatened with some well timed runs, and Nardiello broke free on the left to be denied by the outrushing Bartlett. In the last action of the half, Canham headed on a long clearance and almost found Bauza in the box.
HT: HUFC 0 EXETER CITY 1
After the interval, the Bulls were quick to continue the good work. One move saw the Werling dervish pass to Rose who fed McQuilkin. Little Jimmy then set up Ryan Green, joining the attack to good effect and flashing a shot across the goal. Bauza’s dramatic appeal for a penalty fell (rightly) on deaf ears before Rose played a superb pass to Green whose progress towards goal was halted by a hefty collision with Billy Jones. Then, 53 minutes played, and the visitors launched a counter attack. James Dunne sprinted down the line to meet a threaded through ball, played it back for John Flynn with time and space to hit the target.Shortly afterwards, Noble played Nardiello in and the striker shot just wide.
Unfortunate to go two behind, the Bulls refused to capitulate. A spate of substitutions from both sides included the telling introductions of Kenny Lunt and a first appearance for Zac Evans, whilst Exeter brought on the vastly experienced Marcus Stewart. McQuilkin sent in a hanging cross which was held by Artur Krysiak, Ryan Valentine started to probe the left flank with Werling. From one such move, a cross did not fall kindly for Canham, who was only able to shoot weakly. Chris Shephard skied a shot and Jake Thompson chose the wrong club for a crossfield pass when left in acres of space. A move involving Noble, Dunne and Nardiello ended with the latter shooting straight at Bartlett, and he then missed a further chance to put the tie to bed.
For their part, the Bulls continued with some attractive approach play, although the killer instinct was still missing. Rose, Lunt, and sub Sam Gwynne produced an intricate move from which McQuilkin’s attempted backheel was just intercepted. Canham then played Valentine in and the defender’s cross was headed marginally over the bar by Canham. As the ninety minute mark passed, one last desperate Hereford attack saw the ball contact a defender’s arm in the box. The home side’s strenuous appeals were waved away, play switched to the other end, and up popped Richard Duffy to chip Bartlett for a third goal, putting an uncalled for gloss (geddit?) on the scoreline.
Strange to say, but after another defeat in what some consider an unimportant competition, a very sparse crowd, and another duck in the ”goals for” column, there does seem to be some cause for optimism.
FT: HUFC 0 EXETER CITY 3
Attendance: 1286, with 158 Devonians.
HUFC: Bartlett, Green, James, Townsend, Valentine, Rose (Evans 56), Werling (Gwynne 69), McQuilkin, Colbeck, Canham, Bauza (Lunt 55).
EXETER CITY: Krysiak, Duffy, Archibald-Henville (Stewart 58), Heath, Dunne, Noble, Cozic, Jones, Thomson, Nardiello, O’Flynn (Shephard 58).