Three-Goal Bulls Go Second Top

Three second half goals saw off Alfreton at The Impact Arena this afternoon as The Bulls moved into second place in The Conference on goal difference.

Stefan Stam replaced the injured Luke Graham and Tom Nichol made his first start in place of suspended Marlon Jackson while Ashley Sammons was preferred to Simon Clist in a team that was otherwise unchanged from Tuesday evening.

The Bulls kicked off attacking a less than densely populated home end and soon showed their intent as Sam Clucas burst into the box from the left only for Streete to make a timely interception before Marley Watkins tested keeper Barnes with a low drive.   Young Tom Nichols’ deft chip almost crept in but was palmed away by Barnes at the expense of a corner.  At the other end, home striker Clayton got a flick on a long throw and Hanford needed to produce a fine one-handed save to prevent the hosts opening their account.

Clucas and Sammons were both unlucky with testing shots from outside the box.  Then Townsend conceded just outside the Bulls’ box when he whipped the legs from under Clayton but Hanford was able to watch the free kick drift wide of his post.  Keen on repeating the attempt, Clayton took a tumble in the box but it was clear from behind the goal that Hanford had made good contact with the ball before Clayton clattered into him.  The referee was rightly unimpressed and waved play-on.  Clucas drew a late challenge from Streete, which earned the home player a yellow card, but Sammons driven cross failed to meet a white shirt and the ball went out for a goal kick.  Another Sammons free kick sailed inches over before Hanford was again on hand to collect a header from Clayton.

HT  Alfreton 0  Bulls 0

As the earlier overcast skies cleared, it was the heat from The Bulls attack that put pay to any hopes the hosts had of adding to the point earned in their opening fixture.

An early Bulls’ free kick was wasted before Sammons created space to move the ball constructively from side to side and enable Harry Pell to find Nichols whose crisp effort was, again, only just off target.  Then just ten minutes after the break, The Bulls deservedly took the lead.

 Watkins celebrates his second goal of the season

Canham fed Nichols into the fight channel and his precise cross to the back post was volley in by Marley Watkins off the underside of the bar.  A bizarre refereeing decision presented the hosts with a throw-in from which Streete headed over but The Bulls extended their lead just after the hour-mark.  A fee-kick on the left was headed goal ward by Townsend and although Barnes got a block in on the line Canham was on hand to stab in from close range.

 Canham with strike partner Nichols after the second goal

Boosted by the comfort of the second goal, The Bulls started to produce some of their best football of the season.  Watkins mazy run ended with a Pell shot curling wide before Tom Nichols opened his account with twenty minutes remaining.  Sammons broke up an Alfreton move in midfield and Watkins quickly fed through the ball to the onrushing Nichols who calmly slotted home from twelve yards.

With the game won, Martin Foyle took the opportunity of introducing McQuilkin in place of the industrious Clucas, Will Evans for Sammons and, a little later, Simon Clist for Tom Nichols as the hosts finished a thoroughly beaten side.  Alfreton threw on towering substitute Tom Denton but his stint lasted just over six minutes as he was dismissed for a two-footed challenge on Marley Watkins.

Pell about to take the free-kick after Denton was red-carded


The match closed with a darting Quilks run that finished with a fine on-target shot that Barnes did well to keep out.

FT  Alfreton 0  Bulls 3

Hereford: Hanford, Gallinagh, Townsend, Stam, Carruthers, Watkins, Pell, Sammons (Evans 70), Clucas (McQuilkin 74), Canham, Nicholls (Clist 82). Subs unused: Bittner, Dalibard.

Alfreton: Barnes, Streete, Quinn, Franks, Franklin, Law, Brown, Bradley, Russell (Tomlinson 64), Arnold, Clayton (Denton 77). Subs unused: Taylor, Meadows, Wilson.

Attendance 690 with 213 of those celebrating the win.

Whilst The Bull’s generally were in control of the game throughout, there was, naturally a little early caution but was the initial bluster from the home side was repelled there was only one side going to take the points.  Hanford was, once again, in top form and young Tom Nichol was bright throughout his spell.  Stam and Towner dealt with most in the air with Galls and CC giving little opportunity to the wide men.  In midfield, Pell and Sammons combined well and Clucas and Watkins were both a treat on the flanks.  Sean Canham led the line well, won his share of headers and took his goal well.  With the substitutes also acquitting themselves well there appears to be competition for places despite a couple of players likely to remain under Dodge’s care next week.

Seven points from the first three games should encourage a decent gate at The Street on Saturday.

Be there, it’ll be worth watching.

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