Tuesday 29 November 2011

Torquay 2-0 Hereford

Torquay completed yet another happy double-header in confident fashion against Hereford. What with the fantastic 4-0 result on the Tuesday before against Wimbledon, United we’re certain not to stop there.


Like always, I meet my dad and we head up into the bar to meet the other lads who we go with. I think it is fair to say that we were all quite confident with the game ahead. Not saying that just because they’re currently battling down the bottom of the table but we don’t usually have a good run against Hereford but the way our matches we’re going and performance, we felt that luck was on our side!


The line up for both sides for the evening were;
United; Olejnik, Oastler, Saah, Ellis, Nicholson, Mansell, Lathrope, O’Kane, Stevens, Howe, Bodin. Subs; Rowe-Turner, Mcphee, Halpin, Rice, Atieno
Bulls; Cornell, Green, Todd, Stam, Dalibard, Purdie, Featherstone, Clist, Elder, Leslie Barkhuizen. Subs; Mcquilkin, Hoult, Heath, Townsend, Arquin


Martin Ling made one change within the squad after the previous Tuesday night match against the Dons and that was Daniel Leadbitter who’s past injury had reoccurred. That meant that Lathaniel Rowe-Turner was able to take his place on the bench.


The clock had reached 3pm and the game had kicked off. The three top men at the front Stevens, Howe and Bodin almost immediately shook up Herefords defence by stinging together a good set of passes in towards the penalty area but was unfortunately repelled by veteran Bulls defender Any Todd. If anything, both teams had come out in full force but it has to be said that United were looking like the contenders to soon get the lead as the United midfield were belligerently pestering the Bulls but the finishing just wasn’t there


Time was ticking away and we had approached the half way mark of the first half. Stevens looked keen as he struck a stunning cross field pass to Bodin who instantly reacted quick and shot a low shot in which the Bulls goalkeeper Cornell was only able to palm which led United to a throw in. Hereford soon had there moment to shine when there meaningful attack was superbly created, however thankfully, United defender Saah stepped in for a sturdy block on the edge of the area to clear the ball from Nathan Elders ambitious shot. Bodin wasted no time in restoring and collected the cleared ball and took an instant shot from 25 yards only narrowly skimming past the far post.

You could see that the pressure from both sides was starting to kick in just to get that first goal. However this was in United favour as Nicholson notched a low direct free kick which Cornell failed to grasp and fumbled. This was enough to convince the referee that the ball had crossed the line and Gulls were in front within the 40th minute. 1-0.

United didn’t stop there, four minutes after Nicholson’s splendid strike, Ellis had cleared the ball to Stevens up the wing who raced into the clear to feed the ball to O’Kane who ran out to the left corner and crossed into Howe who rounded the hapless Cornell before centring the ball to Bodin who stabbed the ball into an empty net. 2-0

Second half started and Hereford were the first to have a shot on goal but it was the speed of United’s defence that was simply too much for the visitors to cope with. The Bulls had made two changes in refreshment and switched their formation in hope to change their fortunes. However, it wasn't enough for United’s back four as they were admirably firm. Hereford were understandably pushing and throwing men forward but the unfortunate effect for the Bulls was extra space for United to push and gain more opportunities. 

Within 15 minutes remaining, Ling welcomed a fresh set of legs onto the pitch by taking of the spectacular Danny Stevens for Chris Mchpee. Not long after Taiwo Atieno was called off the bench to replace an injured Rene Howe.

Joe Oastler was the next United victim to exploit space on the flank and placing a delightful low cross but was unluckily cleared by Herefords Stefan Stam. The final whistle blow and it was  three points well deserved from the Yellows. Olejnik completed another satisfactory afternoon and another clean sheet. That now means United take home six points in a matter of four days!

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