A look back to Saturday September 28th 2013.
Edgar Street Stalemate
SeeBlocker watched the game for BN
Following on from
Tuesday’s win against Lincoln, Martin Foyle opted not to tinker with the
starting XI but a substitution late on in the game, did provide Eric
Odhiambo with his home debut.
The Bulls could have
opened their account after just 6 minutes when Hereford won two
consecutive corners. Michael West took the corner short, and after a
one-two, his cross was blocked and went out for a corner. West again
took the corner short, which Chris Bush delivered into the heart of the
box, the ball was half-cleared to Kingsley James whose shot was saved.
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| Kingsley James Heads The Ball Clear - Pictures From Andy Compton Of The Hereford Journal |
During the first half, Hereford huffed and puffed but struggled in the final 3rd.
Danny Leadbitter sent the ball long down the right wing for Jon Brown
to chase. He controlled the ball well but scuffed the cross which was
dealt with by the Luton defence.
The Bulls continued
to create opportunities as Sam Smith sent Richard Brodie on his way only
for his shot to be blocked by Ronnie Henry. The resulting corner by
Michael West was cleared by McNulty.
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| Richard Brodie And Luton's McNulty |
United had the upper
hand in the first period as Luton’s 4-4-2 formation didn’t seem to be
working for them. After Bush had received the ball on the left, he ran
up the centre of the field to allow Brown to cross the ball into the
box. A Hereford man was not on hand as the ball was cleared by Luton’s
defence.
Jon Brown continued
to impress as he got past two of three sliding Luton men only to be
finally brought down by Jake Howells. Graham took the free kick short to
Brown who, again, managed to get his cross in but was headed clear.
As the half drew to a
close, Hereford had arguably their best chance so far after Brodie
broke away and delivered in a cross from the left. Griffiths cleared the
ball, but only as far as West whose shot went just wide of the upright.
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| Griffiths Charges Into Leadbetter - BN Pic |
One final opportunity
for the Bulls arose on 45 minutes after Leadbitter had been fouled by
Griffiths, who was booked instantly. James crossed the ball into the box
after the free kick, but Benson cleared.
HT: Hereford 0 – Luton 0
In the second half,
Luton instantly appeared to be stronger than they were earlier after a
slight change in their formation. After just five minutes, Luton were
challenging Hereford’s defence as Howells had a shot on goal, but Evans
was in the right position to make a comfortable save.
Foyle made his first
substitution swapping Smith in favour of Walker. Walker then attempted
to get his name on the score sheet immediately, after James’ pass
allowed him to get a shot away, but his low shot was well wide.
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Following the
introduction of Pilkington to the action, Hereford had bodies in the box
and the chance to take the lead. Pilkington crossed the ball into the
heart of the box, and after a goalmouth scramble, Luton’s Smith managed
to clear the ball up field. Pilkington
was involved again as the Bulls created another chance. Pilkington’s
corner from the right saw Brodie’s effort being denied by the post. The
ball bounced to the feet of Graham who could only watch as his effort go
wide.
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| Luke Graham In The Penalty Box |
Many fans were happy
to see Eric Odhiambo make his home debut as he came on for the tiring
Brodie. Odhiambo could have opened his Bulls account following a
Pilkington corner. The corner was sent deep into the box and Odhiambo
was waiting at the back post to tap it in, but the ball harmlessly went
out for a goal kick.
With only a few
minutes left of the game, Hereford continued to send the ball into the
18-yard box but both Odhiambo and Walker failed to threat travelling
keeper Tyler.
FT: Hereford 0 – Luton 0
This was another
solid display by the Bulls in which both defence and midfield looked
very capable defensively and do not look like shipping many goals with
this 4-4-2 formation. Unfortunately, as no doubt Martin Foyle knows,
work now needs to be done in the attacking third of the field. All in
all, the performances of late suggest the team is now heading in the
right direction.
Hereford: Evans,
Leadbitter, Bush, McDonald, Graham, Green, James, West (Pilkington 64),
Smith (Walker 51), Brown, Brodie (Odhiambo 80). Unused – Collins,
Gwynne.
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| The Hereford Subs - BN Pic |
Luton: Tyler, Smith,
Griffiths, McNulty, Lacey, Parry, Smith, Guttridge, Howells (Whalley
88), Cullen (Gray 70), Benson. Unused: Charles, Taiwo, Justham.
Attendance 2386 including 500 from the airport.