Bulls Slip To First Defeat

Harwood Bull watched this afternoon's game between Chorley and Hereford.

Hereford’s second trip up the M6 in the space of a week ended in their first defeat of the season, as they conceded an injury time winner to Chorley to go down 1-0. Chorley were the better side in most areas of the pitch, but the Bulls absorbed the pressure resolutely for most of the game and it was very disappointing to go behind at such a late stage. There were eight minutes of additional time to play, due to an injury to the referee, but Hereford were unable to rescue the game.

Chorley (‘The Magpies’) started the game as the only team with a 100% record, with no goals against, after four games so it was always going to be a challenge to come away with anything from Victory Park. The only change in the Bulls line up was Ryan Green, presumably having got his energy back after his wedding night, returning for Harvey Smith. Reffell is fit again but was on the bench, as was Jamie Bird, Beadle refusing to be swayed in his selection by the fans’ wishes.

The first half was largely uninspiring. Chorley had opportunities to get the ball into the box from dead ball situations but didn’t stretch the Hereford defence a great deal. Very little tested Horsell until about 34 minutes in when Almond cut inside and shot right footed which the keeper saved comfortably. Hereford never threatened the Chorley goal; Harry White’s only attempted shot had a slight deflection off a Chorley defender which took most of the pace off the ball making it an easy save for the keeper.

Late in the first half Newby for Chorley was left unmarked at the back post but couldn’t get his header on target, and the first 45 minutes came to an end having provided little excitement. Chorley were neater and sharper on the ball and had the lion’s share of possession but didn’t trouble the Bulls’ defence a great deal. Hereford never managed to mount any sustained attacking play and spent a lot of time passing from side to side across the midfield without being able to find an incisive through ball to prise open the Chorley defence.

The second half opened with more of the same. Then after 5 minutes Keyon Reffell came on for Lewis Hall and immediately livened the attack up. Hall had worked hard but doesn’t really look like a winger, a view shared by Beadle in his post-match comments. Not long after that Green was booked for a foul on Almond near the half way line. It was nothing dramatic, Green had been tussling with the Chorley front men for most of the game – he’s an old pro and knows all the tricks but it’s inevitable that he will pick up a yellow from time to time.

The pressure on Hereford’s defence continued to increase, as well as the many dead ball positions the Magpies were starting to get round the back and get some threatening crosses in.

The most unusual incident was the ref going off with what could have been a pulled muscle. This prompted a request over the PA - ‘is there a qualified official in the ground’. Remarkably they found one within minutes who took over from one of the assistants who then deputised for the ref.

Billy Murphy crossed low from the left, White missed it (or left it, I couldn’t say) and it ran through to Lance Smith on the 6 yard line. I expected to see the net bulge, but the keeper made a good block and neither Smith or White could scramble it home. That was Smith’s last contribution to the game, as he went off to be replaced by Bird, who got a good reception from the travelling support.

Shortly after Mike McGrath burst through the middle which created a couple of shooting attempts both of which were blocked. At the other end Horsell made a good save from a diving header and an excellent one turning a powerful close range header over the bar. The Bulls responded when Reffell made a shooting opportunity for himself but took it too wide, making the angle very difficult and he ended up shooting past the post, into the crowd.

Chorley didn’t let up and the killer blow came in the 92nd minute when Challoner’s low right wing cross was met by Josh Wilson with a crisp finish. 

Dinsley replaced Eliot Richards for the last few minutes but there was no way back for the Bulls.

You have to say that we were beaten by a better side. Hereford weren’t outclassed but need to make more of an impact up front. White works hard but, as against Curzon Ashton last week, looked isolated, and doesn’t really have the pace and mobility to play as a lone striker. Let’s hope that our new acquisition Jordan Lam will provide some cutting edge. The inability to create any sustained attacking play in turn puts pressure on the defence who don’t get any respite and chance to regroup.

As a venue for visiting supporters Chorley was friendly and unsegregated. The ground is in a bit of a time warp, doesn’t appear to have been updated for decades, and the gents toilet required snorkel and flippers for a visit. On the plus side the pork and black pudding pies in the bar were ‘interesting’ (you’d think I’d be used to northern delicacies after 10 years in Lancashire), and the chips were excellent. I had a chat with a Chorley supporter before the game who had some interesting views on their board’s alleged lack of ambition, saying how they were almost scared to be promoted. I think they would certainly have to spend some money to bring the ground up to scratch for a higher league.

Not too bad a day out. If we are honest we shouldn’t be too unhappy with our position after 5 games. We played the only unbeaten team in the League today and came up a bit short but weren’t overwhelmed. There’s work to do but plenty to be optimistic about.

Chorley FC:
Urwin, Challoner, Blakeman, Teague (c), Jordan, Leather, A. Newby, O’Keefe, Carver, Almond, E. Newby. Subs: Fletcher, Short, Cottrell, Meppen-Walter, Wilson.

Hereford FC:
Horsell, Thomas, Green, Liburd (c), Greenslade, L. Smith (Bird), Richards (Dinsley), McGrath, Murphy, Hall (Refell), White.
Subs (not used): H. Smith, Mayebi