The Bulls held table-toppers Port Vale in an entertaining and eventful clash at Edgar Street this afternoon. Despite playing for over an hour with ten men, the home side showed spirit and determination to overcome the threats posed by their opponents and a poor performance from the referee, Mr Mcdermid. Indeed, only a missed penalty and a point blank save from Stuart Tomlinson in the Vale goal prevented Hereford from securing an unlikely first home win of the season.
With the BBC in attendance (the game is to be featured in the Football League Show), Bulls physio Jamie Pitman took charge for his first league encounter. Also present, if the rumour mill is to be believed, was a veritable phalanx of out of work managers desperate to be granted the chance to plot the route to safety. On a gloomy afternoon, the game started brightly. The prolific Justin Richards was denied by a brave stop from Adam Bartlett, and Guillem Bauza spun and shot straight at Tomlinson. The lively Joe Colbeck then slightly overhit a pass intended for Sean Canham before Anthony Griffith’s long range effort was saved by Bartlett, turned in by Richards and then disallowed for offside.
The game continued to flow from end to end, Michael Townsend getting on the end of a free kick from Dominik Werling, but not managing to beat the keeper, and then Bauza was felled by Adam Yates on the left flank. Up stepped Jimmy McQuilkin to find Sean Canham at the near post who neatly flicked it home off said upright. Cue jubilation from the team and, significantly, a vociferous Meadow End; a deserved lead after a mere quarter hour of this “bottom v. top” clash. Encouraged, the Bulls looked confident dealing with the twin threats of Richards and Richards, and made timely challenges in midfield.
At this point in the proceedings, Mr McDermid invoked a little known law- if any player sits on his posterior he is awarded a free kick. The more experienced players, Bauza for Hereford and the Richardses for the Valiants were quick to try to invoke this rule, and several puzzling decisions interrupted the game’s natural flow. From one such free kick, Gary Roberts blazed wildly over the bar, and then the same player had an amusing hissy fit when ticked off for trying to steal a few yards. With 28 minutes played, Port Vale were threatening when Canham, back helping the defence was adjudged to have tripped Justin Richards. Difficult to see in a crowded penalty area, so the award of a penalty may have been justified, but the red card shown to Canham seemed a completely unnecessary additional punishment. Marc Richards equalised from the spot.
Their lead wiped out, and now outnumbered, to their credit the Bulls continued to show a positive approach. With half time approaching, and the Ascari pies warmed to perfection, Werling took a free kick which hit a defender and rebounded back to him as he sped towards goal. A clumsy tackle, Mr Werling flat on the turf, and an opportunity for the official to redress the balance with a penalty award to the home side- how many times do we see such events? In fairness to Bauza, later to be named man of the match, what followed was his one indiscretion. Casually sauntering up to the ball, stuttering and chipping the ball gently into Tomlinson’s grateful arms was a disappointing way to end the half.
HT: HUFC 1 PORT VALE 1
Joe Colbeck went on a promising run, cut back and fed Richard Rose whose shot was clutched under his bar by Tomlinson, and some skilful interplay between Bauza and Werling saw Hereford continue to play attractive football. For their part, the Vale showed why they have had a successful campaign so far, with good understanding between the strikeforce. On one occasion, Marc Richards cleverly dummied the home guard to set up Louis Dodds- only a brilliant fingertip save from Bartlett saved the day. Shortly afterwards, Sean Rigg fired wide when well positioned. A mention in dispatches at this stage for the two Ryans, Green and Valentine, who were called on to make several timely interceptions
The best move of the game, after 62 minutes, almost regained the lead for the Bulls. Bauza played a fantastic ball down the right wing, Colbeck was on to it in a flash and fired a first time cross perfectly back to Bauza who had continued his run. The striker met it with tremendous force, and the crowd were on their feet to acknowledge a superb goal. How the keeper prevented it remains a mystery, but save it, dear friend, he certainly did.
Chances continued to be created at both ends of the park, and the home side began, understandably, to tire. A flurry of substitutions then occurred to counter this. Green cleverly set up Bauza and his curling effort had to be palmed over the goal, while half chances at the other end went begging. Substitute Doug Loft lofted (he actually did!) a good chance high and wide, and ex Bull John McCombe’s overhead kick did not cause a serious danger. Bauza’s trickery then created one last chance, but his shot was beaten to safety.
It is always puzzling to explain why a team containing largely the same personnel can perform so differently with a change of management. Having seen rudderless, tame capitulations to mediocre sides in recent weeks, today’s determined and focussed display against a good team bodes well for the future, and a steady pull away from the relegation zone beckons.
FT: HUFC 1 PORT VALE 1
Attendance: 2651 with 804 from the Potteries
HUFC: Bartlett, Green, Valentine, Townsend, James, Rose (Thompson 64), Werling (Gwynne74), McQuilkin, Colbeck, Canham, Bauza.
PORT VALE: Tomlinson, Yates, McCombe, Owen, Collins, Griffith (Loft 72), Rigg (R Taylor 71), Roberts, Johnson (Dodds 46), M Richards, J Richards.