Goal-starved Bulls fail at relegated Tamworth

Hereford United spurned several good opportunities and fell to a 62^nd minute strike from Lloyd Kerry in a match at already relegated Tamworth on Friday evening.  The result leaves United’s chances of avoiding the drop hanging by a thread and highlighted the desperate lack of a goal scorer that has haunted them throughout the season.

Peter Beadle elected to go with two up top giving Sam Smith a start in place of the injured Danny Pilkington.

Sam Smith

The Bulls kicked off down the considerable slope but Tamworth were first to threaten when Rob Purdie was dispossessed but Luke Graham was swiftly across to cover and the danger was averted.

Rankine won an aerial duel and laid the ball out to the advancing Purdie who whipped in a searching cross but the ball was headed clear.  Good work by Bowen produced a chance for Sam Smith but his shot was straight at a defender.  Former Bull Richard Peniket won a corner off Purdie and from the cross Artus got in a good clearance header before DLW had to get down to a low shot from Peniket.

Another Start For Youngster Jarrod Bowen

Jarrod Bowen’s darting run created another chance for Smith but, again, his shot was blocked this time by home keeper Cameron Belford.  

Cameron Belford Was Tamworth's Man Of The Match

Then Bowen was bundled over as he strode towards the box but the ball fell to Rankine but his shot was high over the bar.  Kingsley James seemed to be targeted by erratic referee Jason Whiteley when he was penalised three times in a few minutes for little more than a firm challenge.

A high ball into the Bulls’ box saw Dom Collins on the receiving end of wayward elbow from makeshift striker Jessy Reindorf and Collins was forced to leave the field for lengthy treatment as a result.  Kinsley James crossed from the right to find Rankine beyond the back post and his return header was hooked over the bar by Bowen.

DLW saved low down before Smith fired into the side netting to complete a hat-trick of misses in a first half that had seen The Bulls create enough chances to put the game to bed.

HT Tamworth 0 Bulls 0

The second period gave United the chance to attack a packed and vocal visitor’s terrace and Rankine quickly gave hope as he burst forward onto a through ball but was just beaten to it by the onrushing Belford.  A quick counter attack saw Kerry’s shot rebound off the upright before the game took a telling turn when Danny Leadbitter emerged from a challenge with an ankle injury that caused him to be replaced.  Chris Bush came on to play at left back with the reliable Rob Purdie switching to the right.

Sam Smith dispossessed Richards-Everton and broke into the box but dragged his shot wide of the mark.  The Bulls back division was looking less secure and Bushy got caught on the turn to allow Lloyd Kerry into the box.  Kerry made no mistake and fired past DLW into the far corner to give the hosts a slightly fortunate lead.  A similar move down the right, this time involving Peniket, almost produced another goal but his shot was beyond the far post.

Dan Walker Came On As A Sub

Peter Beadle rang the changes with Dan Walker replacing Artus and Jon Brown coming on for Bowen.  Kingsley James headed forward to produce another chance for Smith but this time Belford had to work to keep out a decent effort.  Richards-Everton was carded for a rash challenge on Walker before Billy Murphy’s free kick found KJ but his goal-bound header was hacked away.

Dan Walker And Michael Rankine Watch As Belford Gathers

A goalmouth scramble ended with Belford grabbing the ball and then appearing to suffer from almost terminal tiredness and requiring treatment before rising from his slumbers.  Remarkably, he was as bright as a button seconds later when he had to dart out from his goal to block from Walker and was rightly awarded the Oscar of the Match by the sponsors.

Jessy Reindorf got away with another crude assault when he jumped into him after the ball had been cleared.  The referee chose to completely ignore the incident but duly booked young Billy for having the audacity to dispossess Kelly and come away with the ball.

A Sam Smith twenty-yarder tested Belford but, once again, the lack of goals proved The Bulls’ downfall as, despite five added minutes, the hosts managed to kick open the trap-door with United staring into the cellar.

FT Tamworth 1 Bulls 0

Bulls: Lloyd-Weston, Leadbitter (Bush 57), Graham, Collins, Purdie, Artus (Walker 69), James, Murphy, Bowen (Brown 69), Smith, Rankine.  Subs unused: Edge, Williams.

Tamworth: Belford, Evans, Capprice, Kerry, Richards-Everton, Keane, Batis-Cande (Hoban 86), Thornton, Woolery, Reindorf (Chadwick 93), Peniket.  Subs unused: Baker, Byfield, Morgan.

Attendance was reported as 1154 with a good 600 from The Shire.

The Bulls are staring down the barrel after this one but will look back at more than sufficient chances to have won the game particularly in the first half.  United had a good share of the ball and had the pre-season recruitment included a goal poacher then this game could have been won at a canter.  Youngsters Billy Murphy and Jarrod Bowen again produced competent performances and look set to hold their places 'til the end of the season.  As it was, an equally poor side were handed three points that will be as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike.

Running out of games but another chance to right the wrongs comes up on Monday at The Street.

PLEASE BE THERE. – KO 3.00pm.

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