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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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."
"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."