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Next Game: Home Against Warrington In The League On Saturday January 11th At 3.00pm ( or maybe earlier if the floodlights aren't working )

Saturday, December 07, 2024

From The Archives - Bulls Beaten By Nuneaton

 

A look back to this day in 2013 and Hereford lose to Nuneaton.

With manager Martin Foyle opting to make 3 changes from the side that lost to Woking last weekend, Luke Graham, Damon Lathrope and Eric Odhiambo returned to the starting 11 in place of Joel Edwards, Dan Walker and Sam Smith respectively.

After observing a one minute silence commemorating the life of Nelson Mandela, the Bulls starting attacking the Blackfriars End. Left back Rod McDonald, sent in an early and promising cross into the danger area but it was easily gathered by visiting keeper Kelle Roos.

Nuneaton won an early corner which was cleared with ease by the Hereford defence; the ball was cleared to Evans who showed both his pace and skill to win a throw in some way into the Nuneaton half. From the throw, the ball found Artus, whose shot narrowly went wide of the upright.

Great Chance For Frankie Artus
 
Both teams created half chances in the first period, with Nuneaton wasting the opportunity to go ahead when they headed the ball well over from the back post after a corner, not giving Lloyd-Weston much to worry about; Hereford fans were equally as disheartened when Odhiambo showed some good footwork, but his shot was saved by Roos.

Keeper Lloyd-Weston pulled off a couple of great saves in the first half, especially after Danny Sleath crossed  for Louis Moult to head powerfully at goal but Lloyd-Weston dived full length to his right to stop the visitors taking the lead.

Streets Ahead Of Rankine
 
However, despite Hereford being the better of the two, the only goal of the game came when Louis Moult sent Lloyd-Weston the wrong way from a spot kick. The linesman allegedly gave the penalty for McDonald pulling York’s shirt, but Artus was equally in the wrong as it could be argued he pushed York to gift Nuneaton the penalty. A controversial penalty nonetheless.

Dan Lloyd Weston Couldn't Stop Moult's Penalty
 
HT: Hereford 0 – Nuneaton 1

The returning Luke Graham saw himself being robbed of the ball, allowing Moult to force Lloyd-Weston to make another impressive save minutes into the second period.

Artus was replaced by Walker on the left wing, and not long after being on the field of play, Walker had two good penalty shouts, both for handball; the referee and his assistants saw no offense and waved play on.

Handball?
 
Loanee Micah Evans gave Michael Rankine the chance to drag the hosts back into the game when he crossed the ball into the box, only for the onrushing Rankine to be beaten to the ball by Roos.

FT: Hereford 0 – Nuneaton 1
Att: 1,292 with 105 from Shakespeare’s County.
Sponsors’ MOTM: Michael Rankine

Hereford: Lloyd-Weston, Graham, Leadbitter, Collins, McDonald, Artus (Walker 66’), O’Keefe, Lathrope, Evans, Rankine, Odhiambo (Williams 81’). Subs not used: Edwards, Murphy, Bush.
Nuneaton: Roos, Bell, Gordon, Dean, Trainer, Walker, Streete, Sleath, York (Ladapo 78’), Moult (Armson 86’), Hibbert. Subs not used: Adams, Belshaw, Taylor.


All in all this was a pretty dull affair and a 0-0 draw would have probably been a fair result. In the first half, Hereford actually played some nice passing football at time albeit without any result in the final third – but as soon as Nuneaton took the lead, just before the break, the confidence drained away and the players went for the easy option of hitting long, aimless balls.

See you in two weeks when top team Cambridge come to the Street.
 

Disappointing Result Said Keyte


David Keyte, speaking in place of manager Martin Foyle at the post match interview, told BBC Hereford and Worcester he felt it had been a disappointing result.

"Again a disappointing result," said the Hereford United chairman.

"We had the lion's share of the first half, perhaps didn't create anything really.

"There's always a danger you are going to conceed a goal at the other end at some point in ninety minutes.

"I personally thought it was a penalty. You can't put your arms somewhere around a bloke's upper body and not expect him to fall down.

"Probably worked a bit better, harder than the last couple of matches but we're not creating anything.

"Taking of responsibilty, perhaps passing when there's shot on.

"Just disappointed, bit more anticipation maybe, somebody just taking that chance.

"With all due respect to Nuneaton, whatever the League positions are, I would expect Hereford United to get the home win against Nuneaton. 
 

Foyle Declines Post Match Interview With BBC


Martin Foyle In The Hereford Dug-Out This Afternoon
 
Hereford United manager Martin Foyle declined to be interviewed by BBC Hereford and Worcester after the Bulls had lost this afternoon's game against Nuneaton.

Trevor Owens, head of sport at H&W, said that Foyle had declined to do the usual post match interview because of an article on BBC Sport earlier this week.

Instead chairman David Keyte spoke to H&W.

He was asked why Foyle hadn't wanted to be interviewed.

"He felt that something he said last week perhaps wasn't conveyed as he wanted.

"Whether that was through his own words or as reported in the press that he didn't get the message over last week.

"And in addition I think he feels at this moment to come out straight after a match is not probably the right time to come out with a clear head.

"So he would rather not do it this evening.

"And I think it's probably symptomatic of us needing to build a bit of a siege mentality.

"He would rather get on with his own job than have to explain immediately after a match what wrong again

"It's just the timing of it probably. Straight after the match is maybe not the right time."

Asked if he backed his decision, Keyte seemed to agree.

"If he is not comfortable in coming out and doing it then he's got his reasons for saying that." 

After the interview Owens gave more details about Foyle's decision.

"Apparantly the main issue was over an article which appeared on the BBC Sport website and Foyle took exception to the way that was put across."