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CAMBRIDGE (away) 16/08/05 Hereford's away campaign got off to a disappointing start with a defeat at relegated Cambridge United. Overall, despite a poor performance, the Bulls can count themselves slightly unfortunate not to have gained a point from the match, with what turned out to be the winning goal coming at a time when the visitors were on top. Watching Cambridge was rather akin to watching the Hereford side of a few years ago: a former league team relying on players of limited ability signed mostly from sides lower down the league pyramid. Numerous long balls were hoisted forward from the defence in the direction of Fola Onibuje who, with his strength, directness, and particularly his six feet and seven inches of height, caused the Bulls' defence all sorts of problems and was easily the game's outstanding player. He almost managed the game's first worthwhile effort on goal after beating successive challenges from Tony James and Ryan Green, but at the last moment Onibuje's touch let him down and Dean Beckwith was able to clear. For Hereford, Guy Ipoua started where he left off against Scarborough and was looking to get into some good goalscoring positions, but the home defence were always quick to avert any danger and goalkeeper Darren Behcet was not seriously troubled. Craig Mawson was the busier goalkeeper, although this consisted of collecting some dangerous crosses and through-balls, as opposed to saving any shots. Any attempts on goal from Cambridge came from headers, which all missed the target by some considerable margin. From a Cambridge attack, Tamika Mkandawire brought the ball out of defence and played it up to Ipoua. Mkandawire continued his run, receiving the return pass from Ipoua, before skinning full-back David Chick and putting in a great cross that Jon Brady half-volleyed wide. Early on, Hereford felt they should have had a penalty when Ipoua's goalbound header was handled by skipper Andy Duncan, but this was missed by the referee. The home side were later denied a penalty of their own, when Brady firstly pulled Onibuje back by the shirt, before the striker was bundled over by Beckwith. With two minutes of the half remaining, Cambridge made the breakthrough. John Turner's shot hit Andy Ferrell on the hand but looped into the path of Stephen Smith, and the eighteen year old volleyed the ball past Mawson from the edge of the area. The second half followed a similar pattern, with much of the pressure coming from the visitors, but Cambridge defended diligently and in numbers. Brady fired a free-kick well wide of the target, and Green had an effort saved by Behcet after making a great run forward. However, Cambridge should have extended their lead after Beckwith was robbed in his own penalty area by David Bridges. Mkandawire in turn then had the ball taken off him by an intelligent backheel from Turner, with the ball falling to Parys Okai, but the substitute's excellent cross was disappointingly headed wide by Onibuje. Hereford kept the pressure up, and were rewarded with an equaliser on the hour mark. Ipoua scored his second goal in two games when he rose unchallenged and completely unmarked to head an Alex Jeannin corner into the net off the post. The Bulls now had a decent spell of possession, and Behcet was forced to save from Adam Stansfield. Having equalised, the Bulls fell behind once again eight minutes later with a goal somewhat out of the blue. Turner's shot from the edge of the box hit Tony James and deflected into the path of Bridges, who lashed the ball between Mawson's legs from a narrow angle. Cambridge did not come close to a third goal thereafter and defended solidly and in even greater numbers than they had previously, and not even the introduction of Danny Carey-Bertram could get a goal for the Whites. In stoppage time Hereford should have equalised however. Brady's freekick struck the wall and deflected into the path of Mkandawire, but from six yards out the defender could only sky his shot over the bar. Despite looking dangerous, Hereford never really looked like equalising for a second time. Ipoua and particularly Stansfield, despite all their hard work, were crowded out whenever they got the ball, and the midfield was often disappointing and slow to support the attack. Not even the introduction of the more attack-minded Purdie and Carey-Bertram could give them the edge, with neither managing to get into the game. Credit must go to the Cambridge defence for that. Team and ratings: Mawson (7), Green (7), Mkandawire (7), James (7), Beckwith (7), Jeannin (7), Brady (6), Coldicott (5) (sub Carey-Bertram (4)), Ferrell (5) (sub Purdie (5)), Stansfield (6), Ipoua (7). Subs not used: Brown, Stanley, Blewitt. Star man: Ryan Green.
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