BET FEEBLE NUDIST ORGANISATION LOSE TO BULLS (9,6)

The Ultimate answer to Life, the Universe and Everything is commonly held to be 42, exactly the number of intrepid visiting fans from Ebbsfleet at Edgar Street for this afternoon’s entertainment.

Even before kick- off, it seemed probable that they were not going to like what they saw, the team coach having broken down near Wycombe, thus necessitating a 90 minute delay to the proceedings. Skipper Luke Graham returned to the fray after his commentating stint last week, and his early recovery from injury was particularly welcome as Stefan Stam had more important matters to attend to..

Once underway, the Bulls seemed determined to build upon their promising start to the season. Harry Pell and Sean Canham exchanged passes, and were denied by a linesman’s flag before Marley Watkins shot narrowly wide of Preston Edwards’ post. A timely intervention by Andy Gallinah set up Canham for a chance, but his shot lacked power, and then Pell’s strong gallop through the midfield was thwarted by a cynical tug from Liam Bellamy who was duly shown a yellow for his troubles.

Liam Bellamy pulling back Harry Pell - Pictures from Andy Compton of the Hereford Journal

With Michael Townsend in fine form at the back, calmly mopping up and clearing any danger from a seemingly sluggish ‘Fleet (all that time on a bus could not have been an ideal preparation), Hereford showed some lively and purposeful moves. Pell’s clever reverse ball almost found the eager Tom Nichols, Chris Carruthers’ delicious cross was hacked clear, and Canham forced a smart save from Edwards. Watkins then almost latched onto a through ball from Sam Clucas, and Mr Huxtable played a good advantage after Nichols was felled. Watkins showed his customary pace and awareness to pick up the pieces, and once more Edwards had to be alert to make a clearance.

Townsend under pressure from Nathan Elder

27 minutes of Bulls domination culminated in the opening goal. Watkins sprung the offside trap after he had been played in by some neat work between Canham and Nichols, and made no mistake with a drive from just inside the area. Buoyed by this, the home side continued to press. Pell showed some nifty footwork to get in a cross which was booted to safety by Paul Lorraine. Then young Nichols burst through the centre, thinking he could see clearly now Lorraine had gone (sorry!), to meet Edwards eye to eye, but the keeper was able to grasp the shot with ease. Wave upon wave of attacks eventually led to the second goal on 37 minutes. Clucas had a smart effort deflected for a corner, and the dependable Simon Clist found Watkins, who planted a pinpoint centre onto Canham’s forehead, leaving him the simple task of guiding it netwards.

Canham with his trademark goal celebration

The Bulls made further inroads before the half-time whistle without adding to their account, whilst Ebbsfleet were reduced to ten men when the hapless Bellamy (no, not that one) clattered Nichols and saw his second yellow card..

HT: HUFC 2 EBBSFLEET 0

After the break, matters began in the same fashion as the Bulls threatened to run riot. An enterprising switch of direction from Pell gave Carruthers the chance to deliver an excellent ball into the area. It was cleared back to Pell whose fierce shot led to a corner kick, and Clist’s goal-bound attempt was beaten out to Carruthers who drilled a low 25 yard shot in off the post. After consulting his linesman, the referee allowed the goal to stand, and the Bulls were 3 up with 49 minutes on the clock. Then, a brief reality check as ‘Fleet unexpectedly reduced the arrears.

Ram Marwa did well to cross for Moses Ashikodi, who found some space in the box to fire past Hanford. Nathan Elder then managed to rob Pell, with the ball breaking for Ashikodi, who this time fired over the bar. Elder himself was then a coat of dubbin away from connecting with a cross, though it was still the Bulls who were creating the better opportunities. Watkins and Pell continued to cause problems, Clist and Clucas remained confident and energetic, and the defence worked effectively as a unit, giving Carruthers and Gallinah ample scope to show their attacking potential..

A flurry of substitutions scarcely changed the pattern of the game. Edwards was called upon to make two saves in rapid succession, reacting quickly after being wrong-footed by a cannon from a Canham shot, and then denying the same player with an acrobatic claim. Hanford made a fine catch when under pressure from Elder and released the ball to Gallinah, who charged down the wing, swapped passes with Canham and continued into the box, only to have the ball whipped off his toes by a last-ditch tackle.

It is unusual to see a substitute’s first contribution to be the taking of a corner, but this task was given to new signing Brian Smikle with 89 minutes elapsed. His low flag kick was met at the near post by fellow sub Ryan Bowman whose diving header squeezed through a narrow gap and into the net. 4-1 would not have flattered the Bulls at all, though a last minute lapse of concentration gifted their opponents a second goal. Joe Howe was permitted to run unchallenged through the heart of the defence to reduce the deficit, a disappointing end to another impressive afternoon’s work. Bring on the Newport..

FT: HUFC 4 EBBSFLEET 2 Attendance: 1906, with the aforementioned 42 from the Eurostar station.

HUFC: Hanford, Gallinah, Townsend, Graham, Carruthers, Watkins (Evans 79), Pell, Clist, Clucas (Smikle 88), Nichols (Bowman 73), Canham.

EBBSFLEET : Edwards, Ada, Lorraine, Stone (Azeez 82), Phipp, Howe, Barrett, Bellamy, Enver-Marum (Walsh 46), Elder, Ashikodi (Greenhalgh 68).