On This Day - March 29th 2014

Six years ago today, March 29th 2014, Hereford United was in desperate trouble both on and off the pitch.

Peter Beadle had been put in charge to try and keep the Bulls in the Conference but it was problems off the pitch with the club having run out of funds that were uppermost in supporters minds.

A lookback at the match:

Bulls sunk by Mariners

After last Saturday’s upbeat defeat to Barnet, caretaker manager Pete Beadle only made one change to the starting XI. Following Rod McDonald’s injury at the Hive, utility player Rob Purdie slotted into the right full back position making up a back four of Chris Bush, skipper Luke Graham, Dom Collins and Rob Purdie. Youth teamer Jarrod Bowen had his home debut, starting  on the right of midfield.

A positive start from the Bulls was brought to an abrupt halt when striker Sam Smith was harshly tackled by Andrew Boyce. Smith took the free kick from just outside the area, but his effort hit the wall and was eventually dealt with.

Jarrod Bowen then passed to James to allow him to run into the box, but his shot was deflected out for a fruitless corner.

After a period of short, neat passing, Jon Brown linked-up nicely with Bowen who cut into the box, but he was unlucky to see his low hit the side netting.

Jarrod Bowen's Shot Hit The Side Netting

With 23 minutes on the clock, Kerr saw his name enter referee Kevin Johnson’s notebook after he fouled Kingsley James. Following a confrontation between the two, Purdie delivered the resulting free kick into the danger area, but the onrushing Sharp couldn’t quite connect with the ball.

Former Carlisle man Andy Cook won a corner and took it short to Kerr, who crossed the ball into the 18-yard box, but the ball was caught all too easily by United keeper Daniel Lloyd-Weston. 

Lloyd-Weston Gathers The Ball

DLW was then called into action again minutes later when he deflected Alex Rodman’s shot out for a corner which was overhit and no danger to Hereford’s back four.

Just before the break, Aswad Thomas was dispossessed by the spirited youngster Bowen, who quickly offloaded the ball to Brown, whose cross went harmlessly behind for a goalkick.

HT: Hereford 0 – Grimsby 0

The first 10 minutes after restart saw Hereford attempt to open up the Mariner’s defensive line without real success. Despite the fact Hereford are now starting to pass the ball, a lack of creativity in the final third is still Hereford’s Achilles heal.

Chris Sharp Felt This Grimsby Boot On His Ankle

After picking up a knock, Pete Beadle replaced Chris Sharp with Dan Walker.

After rarely threatening in second half, Grimsby broke the deadlock just past the hour mark. Craig Disley freed  Alex Rodman down the flank and after Chris Bush was caught flat-footed, he sent a left-footed 18-yard screamer into the top left-hand corner of the helpless Lloyd-Weston’s net.

Both teams then made double substitutions within 9 minutes of the opening goal. First Mariners’ boss Hurst brought on John Lewis and Ross Hannah for Connor Jennings and Andy Cook, before Pete Beadle replaced Kingsley James and Jarrod Bowen with Williams and Leadbitter.

Within seconds of winger Leadbitter being on the field of play he was harshly brought down by Grimsby’s Kerr, in a similar incident as what Leadbitter experienced earlier this month at Blundell Park. Scott Kerr rightly saw red after Referee Johnson showed Kerr his second yellow card of the match.

Substitute Cory Williams created a goalworthy chance after a period of good play by the hosts. Williams’ shot was deflected wide. The resulting inswinging corner by Artus was headed wayward and went behind for a goal kick. 

Sam Smith  Heads The Ball

Probably Hereford’s best chance to grab at least a point from the game was when Danny Leadbitter crossed the ball low from the right. His powerful cross come shot slithered agonisingly wide of McKeown’s  with none of United’s players able to get a toe to the ball.

On the stroke of 90 minutes, Leadbitter was yet again target of a bad Grimsby foul. Lenell John-Lewis was then shown a yellow card after a forceful challenge which saw both players receive treatment.  

The Bulls continued to huff and puff but didn’t create any real threat in the attacking third and the teams effort went without reward.

FT: Hereford 0 – Grimsby 1

Att: 2,545 with 193 Mariners

Sponsors’ MotM: Midfielder Frankie Artus

Hereford: Lloyd-Weston, Purdie, Graham, Collins, Bush, Bowen (Leadbitter 72’), James (Williams 72’), Artus, Brown, Smith, Sharp (Walker 57’). Subs not used:  McDonald, Edge.

Grimsby: McKeown, Hatton, Pearson, Boyce, Thomas, Rodman, Kerr, Disley, Neilson (Thanoj 74’), Cook (Hannah 64’), Jennings (John-Lewis 64’). Subs not used: Colbeck, McDonald.

United can count themselves unlucky not to have gained a point from this match, but as has been the case for much of the season, the play in the final third is letting them down. It was nice to see the excellent playing surface actually having the ball passed on it and obviously the players are responding to Pete Beadle’s footballing philosophy.