Hudson-Odoi strikes again to earn draw

9:03am Thursday 11th September 2008

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Hereford United 1 Swindon Town 1.

STRIKER Bradley Hudson-Odoi was delighted that Hereford fought back to secure a point in a lively Coca-Cola League 1 clash at Edgar Street last Friday.

The former Fulham youngster demonstrated a goal-poacher’s touch to tap in Hereford’s equaliser after a 25-yard free kick from Kris Taylor had rebounded off the post in the 68th minute.

Hudson-Odoi, who has scored in each of Hereford’s three home matches, said: “It was a tough game and I don’t think we started very sharply. As the first half wore on we got into the match a bit more but Swindon then scored on the stroke of half time and that knocked us back.”

The Robins dominated the first half on a rain-swept night and took the lead in spectacular fashion in stoppage-time when Jerel Ifil turned to smash home a fierce 20-yard shot via the underside of the crossbar.

Only seconds earlier, Hereford had had a lucky escape when Michael Timlin cracked an almost identical shot against the underside of the Bulls’ bar.

Hereford failed to clear the danger from Timlin’s initial effort and Ifil was on hand to rifle home his second goal, from the edge of the box, in the space of four days.

“We showed great spirit to come back and get the equaliser and we are delighted with a draw,” said Hudson-Odoi. “When we went 1-0 down, we stuck in there and we knew we could perform better than we did in the first half.”

The young striker also praised the efforts of Hereford goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

Randolph pulled off a superb reflex save to tip over Billy Paynter’s point-blank header in the 82nd minute.

He also made two decent stops in quick succession in the 56th minute to keep out low shots from the threatening Paynter.

“The last two games Darren has been brilliant. He has made some excellent saves to keep us in those matches. He was probably our best player tonight,” said Hudson-Odoi.

The pace of Swindon’s Anthony McNamee was a feature of the first half and the winger caused problems for Hereford’s debutant right-back Richard Jackson.

However, former Luton defender Jackson made an important intervention in the ninth minute when he cleared a dangerous-looking right-wing cross from Simon Cox.

Swindon should have gone ahead in the 25th minute when Cox raced on to Paynter’s through-ball but dragged his shot wide with only Randolph to beat.

Hereford threatened briefly through former player Andy Williams, on loan from Bristol Rovers, who cut inside from the left before curling a shot narrowly wide in the 14th minute.

Swindon looked a decent side who passed the ball well – and Hereford manager Graham Turner will be very pleased to have picked up a point from a hard-working display.

Hereford: Randolph; Jackson, Rose, Beckwith, Taylor; Hudson-Odoi, Diagouraga, Ben Smith, O’Leary, Williams (Done, 85 mins); Guinan. Subs not used: Samson, Clint Easton, Ashikodi, Oji.

Swindon: Phil Smith, Amankwaah, Ifil, Aljofree, Jack Smith, Nalis, Craig Easton, Timlin, McNamee (Marshall, 80 mins), Paynter (Peacock, 86 mins), Cox. Subs not used: Brezovan, Casal, McGovern.

Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire).

Goals: 0-1, Ifil 45 mins; 1-1, Hudson-Odoi 68 mins.

Bookings: Hereford: None; Swindon: Ifil (foul).

Attendance: 4,061 (761 Swindon fans).