Sloppy goal costs dozing Hereford – but it could've been so much different

Hereford have fallen to their fourth defeat in as many games, being on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline at home to struggling Southport.

The instant reaction of Southport after appointing Jim Bentley as their new manager midweek might not be surprising, and they set up to defend and stifle Hereford. A successful tactic against the Whites who are desperately in need of Jason Cowley and Andy Williams returning to fitness.

Had a late goal not been disallowed and a penalty given, it would've been a completely different story.

Inside a noticeably quieter but sunny Edgar Street, it was a spirited start for Hereford as they attacked the Blackfriars End in the first half.

They tried to create some shot-worthy chances but, as appears to be becoming a theme, passes failed to connect or the razor-sharp cutting edge was absent.

The first real chance of the game – and an actual shot with two players waiting for the cross – saw Alex Babos’s effort clip the crossbar as it narrowly missed the target. 

A good break down the right seconds later saw Tom Hewlett make a 50-yard run down the right flank, but his cross-come-shot had too much on it and went harmlessly behind for a goal kick. 

In a noticeably better performance than that at Tamworth on Monday, it was then Aurio Teixeira who created a chance. His cross-field ball was sent over to Alex Skinner with pinpoint accuracy with 10 minutes on the clock, but Southport’s defenders rose taller over Hewlett to send the ball behind – for nothing more than a fruitless corner – but pleasing all the same to see Hereford breaking and threatening with crosses.

On the quarter of an hour mark, Jordan Cranston’s shot from range also threatened but whistled past the post. 

It's also worth noting Paul Downing was a welcome addition, more mobile than Nathan Cameron alongside him and more comfortable with the ball at his feet. With the new-look backline, the Bulls seemed a little more capable of soaking up pressure despite Southport’s irregular threats. A scuffed Cameron back pass saw Southport’s Marcus Carver through on goal but Downing was there to rescue him. 

Despite the positive start, the slight whiff of entertainment at Edgar Street soon cleared from the air, returning to the same frustrating, sloppy-in-possession type football that’s plagued the last couple of games. Ryley looked bright, and energetic down the left, drilling a cross in towards the near post at the end of the first half which was nearly turned home by Adam Anson.

All in all, another half where the Bulls looked unconvincing going forward but slightly better in defence – admittedly the Sandgrounders are a team who’ve only scored twice all season, the worst record in the league along with Rushall Olympic.

HT: Hereford 0 - Southport 0

The second half started as the first did, with the Bulls getting the ball into the box but then not being able to do anything with it. An early penalty shout was rightly dismissed by referee Richard Eley but then he followed up with the ridiculous decision to award a free kick against the hosts for an apparent Kian Ryley foul.

Downing was called into action to keep the score level within the opening 10 minutes of the second half, quickly dealing with Tyler Walton’s probing cross. Back in front of the Meadow End, Hewlett did well to win a corner under pressure but – after being taken short – Hereford were soon under pressure.

After growing in confidence throughout the first half, presumably helped by new boss Jim Bentley, Southport took the lead. With Cranston absent from his left-back position after being body-checked in midfield, Cameron was well-beaten and Marcus Carver turned Watson's cross into the back of the net under seemingly little pressure.

An instant change saw Koby Arthur come on for Hewlett up front, but it was Babos who came closest to equalising as his rasping shot from the edge of the area took a deflection to narrowly clear the crossbar. Two resulting corners failed to amount to anything and the Bulls returned to failing to give strikers service – a surefire way to not score. 

Lassana Mendes was then replaced by Adam Livingstone, and an injured Cameron made way for Connor Stanley. Despite the third and final roll of the dice, albeit enforced, the game continued in the same vein. There was a cracking chance for debutant Ryley where he should’ve scored. It was assistant boss Rooney who did well to stop a cross-field ball going out for a corner and whip a cross in but, under pressure, Ryley’s tame effort from point-blank range was too wide to trouble the keeper.  

But Hereford did equalise… well, they would have if it wasn’t for some woeful officiating. 

A Livingstone free kick was bundled home by Stanley, with the fumbling keeper failing to stop it from crossing the line, but the linesman deemed him to be offside. It was, frankly, a ridiculous and bemusing decision in front of a protesting Meadow End, with ensuing discussions to disallow the goal between officials contributed to the nine minutes of stoppage time.  

A late corner saw Curtis Pond make a break for the box, but the initial ball was punched clear by the keeper and the follow-up then saved by the sprawling stopper's feet. An even later claim for a penalty was waived away despite a blatant foul on Ryley in the box.

FT: Hereford 0 - Southport 1

Sponsors' MOTM: Paul Downing

Attendance: 2,259 with 41 away

Hereford: Pond, Skinner, Teixeria, Downing, Babos, Cranston, Ryley, Hewlett (Arthur 58'), Mendes (Livingstone 65'), Rooney, Cameron (Stanley 74')

Subs not used: Singh, Southern

Southport: Renshaw, Doyle, Flowers, Anson (c), Watson, Morgan, Carver (Costello 74'), Walton, Quansah, Hmami (C Heath 83'), F Heath (Bainbridge 65')

Subs not used: McMillan, Sass

Hereford were condemned to defeat and effectively gifted Southport their first three points of the season as they were caught napping. But, things probably weren’t as bad as what’s now being said on social media.

Yes, the Bulls are struggling to create chances and desperately need Jason Cowley and Andy Williams to return to fitness and an enforcing, an experienced midfielder would help, but Southport had one chance and took it. Had the Bulls’ goal been allowed and that late penalty given, we’d been three points to the good and Caddis would be the messiah for grounding out a win in tough circumstances. 

The visitors set up to stifle the Bulls and did so, but Hereford's effort and desire can't be ignored. It is now four defeats in a row for Hereford, with two tough games next week as they travel to Chester on Tuesday and Spennymoor on Saturday.