Seadogs see off frustrated Hereford

It’s the hope that kills you, right? Hereford fans were in an optimistic mood before this encounter, but it only took an own-goal from Luke Haines to turn that positivity around and condemn Hereford to a 1-0 defeat. 

The Bulls showed flashes of energy and creativity, but they were few and far between, and as the game progressed, they found it increasingly tricky to make their mark. 

The Flamingo Land Stadium was bathed in summer sunshine with a vocal following from Hereford, many of whom were on a weekender at the seaside.  The away support created plenty of noise ahead of kick-off, as the players emerged onto the 4G pitch. 

Hereford created the pressure in the early stages, keeping Joe Cracknell busy in the Scarborough goal. But clear cut chances were rare between, with neither goalkeeper particularly busy. As the half progressed, Scarborough grew in confidence and started to build their possession. 

Keeper Saves A Shot From Jared Hogkiss

Tyrone Barnett Can't Quite Direct His Header Towards Goal

Another Effort From Barnett But The Keeper Saved

The home side had a long-range effort from Lewis Maloney deflected over for a corner, and moments later another corner was met by the head of a Scarborough attacker, but safely caught by Brad Wade in the Hereford goal. 

Scarborough Players Appeal For A Penalty After One Of Their Players Landed On The Deck

A Scarborough Player Directs A Header Towards The Hereford Keeper

But Brad Wade Gathered

At the other end, a fierce Harry Pinchard shot took a deflection as it went wide, and Tyrone Barnett couldn’t get a clean head onto the resulting corner when in space in the area.

Zac Lilly Might Have Gone For Goal?

With the half coming to a close, a Pinchard drive from just outside the area went over the bar. And moments later Barnett and McLean combined to cause a nervous moment in the area for the Scarborough goalkeeper, who eventually grasped the ball to extinguish the Hereford attack. 

Scarborough had a golden opportunity to take the lead on 57 minutes after the referee penalised Hereford for a backpass to the goalkeeper. He gave the home side a free kick inside the box, meaning all 11 Hereford players lined up on the line to block it. The initial effort from Michael Coulson was charged down, as was the follow-up from Simon Heslop, as the Bulls kept Scarborough at bay. The Bulls then brought off Ryan McLean for Leland Osideko. 

But the home side took the lead midway through the half. A ball was fired in from the left channel, only for Luke Haines to nod it into his own net while under pressure. 

In the drinks break that followed, Josh Gowling rallied his Hereford troops following a spell of Scarborough pressure. Shortly after, Yan Klukowski replaced Harry Pinchard. 

Scarborough Held Onto Their Lead With Some Excellent Defending

Hereford were restricted to long-range efforts in the dying stages. Miles Storey was hauled down by Scarborough defender Ashley Jackson, but Kane Thompson-Sommers’ free kick from 25 yards out failed to hit the target. 

The Bulls struggled in the final few minutes, with Scarborough scrapping to extinguish any attacks they faced. No shots on target in the second half tells its own story, as Hereford fell to defeat against the newly-promoted side. 

Scarborough: Cracknell, Weledji, Gooda, Thornton, Jackson, Maloney, Heslop, Watson, Bramall (Tear, 86), Coulson (Glynn, 80), Charles. 

Subs: Plant, Burton, Cogill. 

Hereford: Wade, Hodgkiss, Evans, Haines, Lilly, Thompson-Sommers (Latty-Fairweather, 86), McLean (Osideko, 59), Lloyd, Pinchard (Klukowski, 74), Storey, Barnett. 

Subs: Hanson, Pendley. 

Attendance: 1,598 including 182 in the away end.