Following on from our previous article which has video of the Hereford/Torquay game from twelve years ago, here's the BN report written by Ledburybull:
Hereford recorded their second home win of the week, with another clean
sheet and Gavin McCallum once more on target. Visitors Torquay were
outplayed in the first half as the Bulls continued where they had left
off on Tuesday, but in a bad-tempered second period, a lacklustre and
cautious showing from the home side saw the Devonians come more into the
game.
Tyrone Thompson brought down Craig King before the first
minute had passed and was promptly shown the yellow. McCallum was
looking lively once more and Marc Pugh caused some consternation with a
number of searching crosses. Torquay’s behemoth Guy Branston proved
equal to the challenge and made timely interceptions as Hereford forced a
number of corners.
King and Leon Constantine played a neat wall
pass before losing control. What should have been a routine clearance
was skewed horribly away by the diminutive, dreadlocked Sam Cox. With 21
minutes on the clock, Pugh lifted over an outswinging corner, Darren
Jones beat Branston to the header, and the ball fell kindly for McCallum
to fire high into the roof of the net. As in the previous game, his
goal seemed to energise the youngster- less than a minute later, an
exquisite turn and shot had Michael Poke well beaten, but the ball came
back off the inside of the post and was hacked to safety.
Adam
Smith almost wriggled through but Adam Bartlett was quick to snuff out
the danger. Tyler Weir, keeping his place in the starting line up,
combined well with McCallum, Constantine and King down the left,
although the final shot was lacking. Pugh attempted a 180 degree turn
and shot in the six yard box, but he made insufficient contact and the
ball was cleared off the line. Torquay had the odd foray into the Bulls
half, but were rebuffed by Darren Jones and Paul Downing who are
developing a good understanding at the back.
HT: HUFC 1 TORQUAY UTD. 0
Torquay
started the second period with a more positive and physical approach,
and the Bulls now opted to play McCallum in a more withdrawn position.
Even so, he did a remarkable impression of a coiled spring as he awaited
the arrival of a raking cross from Kenny Lunt, but the ball was touched
away from him at the last moment. There was some tough tackling from
both sides. James McQuilkin, who was battling effectively in midfield
and distributing it with aplomb, was robbed by what looked to be an over
aggressive tackle from behind by Nicky Wroe. Angry that no foul was
given, McQuilkin returned the compliment and Wroe kicked out in
retaliation. After the obligatory handbags, referee Booth consulted with
his linesman and dithered about before deeming a yellow to be
sufficient punishment.
Indeed, as the game progressed, the
vistors enjoyed more possession as the Bulls soaked up the pressure, and
frustrations and recriminations were not dealt with. The referee’s
decision making became rather bizarre, and annoyed both sets of fans.
Notable were waving play on after a reckless Torquay foul, booking
striker Elliot Benyon for diving when he had been more sinned against
than sinner, and a free kick awarded to the Bulls when Mathieu Manset’s
left peg had been clipped from under him by…..well, it has to be said,
his right one. Despite the huffing and puffing, there was only one
occasion when Torquay looked like snatching a share of the spoils. An
awkward cross was palmed onto the bar by Bartlett, thus distracting the
incoming Benyon. Five added minutes brought no more dangers as Hereford
held on.
FT HUFC 1 TORQUAY UTD. 0
Attendance: 2123 including 299 from Turkey.
HUFC: Bartlett, Gwynne, Downing, Jones, Weir (Lowe 64), Lunt, Pugh, McQuilkin, McCallum, Constantine (Manset 71), King.
TORQUAY
UTD.: Poke, Robertson, Smith, Branston, Cox, Wroe, Thompson (Mansell
57), Carayol (Benson 46), Thomson, Zebroski, O’Kane ( Stevens 57).