Monday, December 26, 2005

Hereford United came away from their Conference clash at Forest Green with mixed emotions.

On the positive side, the Bulls picked up their first point of the season after conceding the opening goal.

But, on the down side, United then failed to hold onto a 2-1 lead at the struggling Gloucestershire side with just 11 minutes left to play, conceding a last-minute equaliser.

With Dean Beckwith suspended and Tony James injured, there was a chance for Darren Blewitt in central defence and Craig Mawson retained his place in goal.

On a bumpy pitch against a direct side, Hereford had the better of possession in the first period without often threatening the home goal.

Craig Stanley saw a shot deflected into home goalkeeper Ryan Clarke's arms and Adam Stansfield nipped in to guide a header wide.

But, at the other end in the 33rd minute, Julian Alsop's header sent Alex Meechan away on the right of the penalty area and he cut in to steer a low shot into the corner of Mawson's net.

Five minutes later, Ben Harding seized on an attempted headed clearance by Simon Travis and produced a fine save from Mawson.

On the stroke of half-time, Andy Williams cracked a drive narrowly wide and Hereford took the lift from this to start the second period looking much more lively.

On 58 minutes, they finally received the reward for their good approach play -- although they had some assistance from Clarke in doing so.

The goalkeeper was slow off his line to gather from Rob Purdie's free-kick and Hereford skipper Tamika Mkandawire nipped in to head home.

Clarke redeemed himself a couple of minutes later, though, pulling off a fine point-blank stop when Stansfield sent Guy Ipoua through.

On 65 minutes, Stansfield should have hit the target, blasting just over when Ipoua played him in.

And United's luck was out 15 minutes from time when Ipoua's excellent drive slammed against the bar and came out.

Three minutes later, however, a fine one-two between Alex Jeannin and Purdie ended with the Frenchman chipping the ball over Clarke and into the net to give Hereford a deserved lead.

The two goalscorers, Jeannin and Mkandawire, got themselves in a tangle a minute later, though.

And Guy Madjo, who only arrived at the ground at 3.30pm after being stranded in London, raced in to crack a fine leveller past Mawson.

HEREFORD: Mawson; Travis, Blewitt, Mkandawire, Jeannin; Williams, Stanley, Pitman, Purdie; Stansfield, Ipoua. Subs not used: Brown, Gwynne, Brady, Evans, Carey-Bertram.

ATTENDANCE: 1,957.