Match Report : Buxton 1 Hereford 2

Andy Williams Scored The Winning Goal

 The goal that never was.

Harwood Bull reports from Buxton

 At last. The Bulls finally got over their recent goal drought and came home with a win. This despite, having gone a goal up early in the first half, being pegged back by Buxton with a ‘goal’ that most certainly wasn’t.

New arrival Ryan Bartley started in defence and looked at home immediately, positioning, tackling and heading all looked solid and accomplished. The rest of the back line was Robinson, Howkins, and Hudson, the injured Skinner still absent. Babos was back in midfield in an attacking role, with Campbell holding. Ceesay wide left as usual, Rose and new boy Deacon up front and Rooney, well, all over the place.

Buxton started brightly, and for the first 10-15 minutes Popoola’s pace down the left was a threat, but his final balls into the area didn’t create any clear chances.

The Bulls started to come into the game, with some promising moves down their left flank with Ceesay well supported by Hudson. On 18 minutes Hudson’s cross was blocked but determinedly regained possession, and he fed Ceesay who curled a good cross into the box. The home keeper’s attempt to punch clear was only partly successful and the ball dropped to Rose. His first effort was blocked but he was quick to force the rebound home for a 1-0 lead.

On 21 minutes Rooney was rightly yellow carded for a trip on Fitzhaugh which broke up a Buxton counter attack. Taking one for the team I think they call it. The Buxton player leapt to his feet and shoved Rooney to the ground with both hands in the Hereford player’s chest. The referee was overly lenient in my view, (not that I’m biased in any way), it could so easily have been a red card.

The 26th minute saw the game’s most controversial moment. A Buxton cross from the right wing was met by a downward header by Kirby at the far post. Chapman appeared to have saved it but the assistant referee’s flag went up immediately and the goal was given. Furious protests by the Bulls resulted in a yellow card for Robinson.

Shortly after this Rooney came over to take a throw in near where we were standing. A Bulls supporter leaning on the fence asked him if it was a goal. “Nah, it hit the post” was Rooney’s reply. A video clip being shared at half time showed clearly that it had indeed hit the post and rebounded to Chapman who pushed it away from the goal. The goal should never have been given.

The Referee Was Too Far Away To Be Certain The Ball Had Crossed The Line

So He Looked At His Assistant Who Gave The Goal

In the 35th minute when trying to play out from the back Chapman put Campbell in difficulties with a terrible pass, but managed to rescue the situation, grabbing the ball in the ensuing scramble. Guardiola has a lot to answer for – playing neat triangles in your penalty area is all very well, but at this level the big boot is sometimes still the appropriate action.

In the closing moments of the half a good cross from Hudson picked out Rose whose powerful header was saved one-handed by Grant in the Buxton goal.

Half time: Buxton 1 Hereford FC 1

More of the same in the second half. Buxton started some dangerous moves without coming close to scoring. I don’t remember Chapman having a serious save to make in the second half, but he produced some heart stopping moments with his erratic handling.

There was a long delay in the 50th minute when one of the ref’s assistants had to leave the field, to be replaced by the 4th official. Whether he was injured or just worn down by the torrent of abuse he was getting from the Bulls fans isn’t clear.

Andy Williams came on in the 63rd minute to replace Deacon, who to be fair, didn’t look fully fit. Rose had another chance when through on goal but his powerful shot was straight at the keeper who saved with his legs.

The Bulls continued to press for the winner, and Rose had a good effort tipped over by the keeper. With 6 minutes additional time announced, Hudson made another good block.

Finally the Bulls got the winner. A long punt forward was headed by Ceesay to Williams. Willo had the composure to let the bouncing ball drop before thumping it home for a deserved winner.

Caddis said at the beginning of the season that the additional substitutes allowed would be great if you’re winning the game. He certainly put them to good use, bringing on Matwasa and Derricot to slow things down and take the momentum away from the home side.

The Bulls held on for an excellent win.

Full time: Buxton 1 Hereford FC 2

Hereford: Chapman, Robinson, Howkins, Bartley, Hudson, Ceesay (Derricott 90 + 7), Babos (Tilt 86), Campbell, Rooney (Teixeira 32), Deacon (Williams 63), Rose (Matwasa 90+4)

Buxton: Grant, Mann, Stobbs, Kirby, Elliott, Sault, Fitzhugh, White, Ravenhill, Popoola, Burton

Subs: Leigh, De Girolamo, Andreucci, Tomlinson, Mantle

Best performances were Bartley on his debut, Hudson, and Ceesay in the first half. Campbell looked very assured and the way he rides tackles and keeps possession is impressive.

Willo’s best role is starting to look like the “super sub” – if he can make a habit of coming on with half an hour to go and scoring no one will complain.

I checked the FA refereeing guidelines (yes I know, what a nerd), and sending off offences include “physical or aggressive behaviour towards an opposing player”. I think using both hands to push someone to the floor could reasonably be argued to fall into that category, so I reckon Fitzhaugh should consider himself lucky.

All in all a good, but very cold, day out.

COYW.