Defensive Mistake Gifts Bradford Victory

Bradford Park Avenue top the Conference North summit following a narrow 1-0 victory over Hereford FC at a cold and windy Horsfall Stadium. The hosts, who started the day in second-place, never really imposed themselves on their opponents but won it in the 70th minute when Lewis Knight capitalised on a defensive mistake to slot into an empty net.

Following last weekend's 2-1 FA Trophy victory over Billericay Town, Marc Richards made two enforced changes. Harvey Smith and James Wesolowski missed out due to injury, with Josh Gowling and Tommy O'Sullivan slotting in.The hosts included the experienced duo of Nicky Wroe and Oli Johnson, both of whom have extensive Football League experience, whilst 'keeper Steven Drench lined up for Morecambe in the play-off semi finals in 2006 against Hereford United.

Hereford looked the brighter of the two teams in the early exchanges, creating a couple of opportunities down both wings, with George Lloyd and Kyle Finn looking lively, although it was the home team who should have been in front with their first meaningful attack. Knight found space on the right side, delivering a teasing cross which Jordan Cullinane-Liburd headed against his own bar before the ball was eventually cleared to safety. Wroe then tried his luck from distance but failed to trouble Matt Yates.

Symons Held?

At the other end, Mike Symons held the ball up well to set up Lloyd whose long-range strike drifted harmlessly past the post. Further half-chances followed for Hereford, as they looked energetic; firstly some sloppy play by Bradford gifted Tom Owen-Evans the ball but a right-foot shot was straight at Drench, before O'Sullivan tried his luck from a similar range with the end result being Drench clutching on to the ball.

Owen-Evans With A Shot On Target

After a fairly dour first-period, Hereford started the second-half quickly and Finn stung the finger-tips of the home 'keeper with a rasping left-foot shot following good work from Symons, but it was Bradford who began to grow into the game. Johnson broke at speed away from Kieran Thomas and threaded a ball through to Jake Beesley; the on loan Salford City striker rounded Yates but the ball drifted too far from his control to hit it first-time. Evenutally, Beesley did get the ball into a shooting position but blazed over the bar, with a number of Hereford defenders on the line. Minutes later, Beesley again threatened this time following a long-throw, with the resulting shot deflected just past Yates' right-hand post.

Arguably Hereford's best chance fell to Lloyd following a pass into his feet by Finn, the Cheltenham loanee turned and curled a right-foot shot a foot past the post, having had space opened up following Owen-Evans run to the right of the goal. The only goal of the game came in the 70th minute, when Knight netted. The right-winger collected a quick free-kick and knocked the ball past Cullinane-Liburd; despite the Hereford captain shielding the ball to Yates, the ball somehow squirmed under the 'keepers grasp and Knight had the easy task of slotting into an empty goal.

Richard's men looked to react quickly, with a good move down the left-hand side leading to Finn's incisive low cross being met by Owen-Evans but he couldn't convert at the near post following strong defensive pressure. James Roberts was introduced in place of Finn, whilst soon after, Joel Dielna came on for his debut in place of Lloyd. 

As the game rolled into injury-time, the referee was called upon for the first time to make two key decisions. Firstly, after an altercation between Kieran Thomas and Johnson, both players were booked although the melee that followed suggested that it could have been a heavier punishment for the hosts' captain after he appeared to aim a knee at Thomas whilst the Hereford defender was grounded. Then, following a threaded through ball, Roberts looked to get goal side of his marker and was hacked down inside the area, but the referee waved away the heavy protests from the Hereford players. From my position on the left of the main stand, it looked a clear penalty but a corner instead was given.

With that decision going against Hereford, the game also went, and it was Bradford who picked up the points despite the Bulls' efforts. The home team go top following Chorley's defeat to Blyth Spartans, whilst Hereford remain in 20th place. Richards and co can be pleased with the efforts the players put in today; some of the build up play was good and a far cry from the performances a month or so back, but there was a distinct lack of quality in the final third where Hereford could have made more of some good positions. Next up is the derby against Kidderminster Harriers at Edgar Street on Boxing Day, before Chester City visit a week today.

Hereford: Yates, Thomas, Greenslade, Cullinane-Liburd, Gowling, Lloyd (Dielna 84), Owen-Evans, Dinsley, O'Sullivan, Finn (Roberts 72), Symons.

Subs not used: Horsell, Wharton, Murphy.

Bradford: Drench, Toulson, Lowe, Wroe (Spencer 77), Ross, Havern, Knight (McKenna 81), Branson, Beesley, Johnson (Killock 90+4), Clee.

Subs not used: Dawson, Hurst.

Attendance: 448