Pirates Hit Bulls For Six
Bristol Rovers 6-1 Hereford
Hereford remain pointless and lie bottom of the League 1 table after a crushing 6-1 hammering at Bristol Rovers. Gregg Davies reports....
Coca-Cola League 1
23 Aug 2008 - 15:00
Memorial Stadium
Bristol Rovers
Darryl Duffy (3m) Ricky Lambert (7m) Darryl Duffy (22m) Jeff Hughes (46m) Ricky Lambert (78m) Chris Lines (88m)
Hereford United
Steve Guinan (90m)
Match timeline
3min Duffy nets early opener
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7min Lambert curls home 25-yarder
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22min Duffy blasts home Rovers' third
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46min Hughes rockets one in seconds after interval
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78min Lambert nets second from free-kick
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88min Lines also scores direct from free-kick
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90min Guinan bundles in consolation goal
Duffy scores Rovers' 3rd
By Gregg Davies @ The Memorial Stadium
Hereford United remain pointless and now lie bottom of the League 1 table after a 6-1 battering at Bristol Rovers.
Braces from Darryl Duffy and Ricky Lambert were added to by Jeff Hughes and Chris Lines, as Graham Turner suffered the worst league defeat of his 13 year tenure as Bulls boss.
The United chief named the same starting 11 that began the 2-1 defeat at home to Yeovil Town, meaning the Bulls lined up in a 4-4-2 formation on the road for the first time this season, with Steve Guinan partnering Moses Ashikodi in attack.
Former Bull Andy Williams was named on the substitutes’ bench for the Pirates, whilst Ryan Green – who scored the goal that sent United back to the Football League – missed out through injury.
After losing their opening three matches of the season 2-1, it was imperative Hereford made an assured start. But they didn’t. They made a calamitous one.
Less than three minutes were on the clock when a long ball from the home defence caught Dean Beckwith cold, allowing Darryl Duffy to burst clear and slot the ball home past a helpless Craig Samson.
And the Bulls had barely begun to draw breath when they found themselves two goals behind, after just six minutes. Ricky Lambert was afforded too much time and space 25-yards from goal, and he didn’t hesitate in pulling the trigger, delightfully curling the ball home from long-range.
Duffy should have put the result beyond doubt after only eight-minutes, but he fired against the post following further hap-hazard defending from the visitors and thereafter Paul Trollope’s side sat back allowing United to develop their passing game.
Toumani Diagouraga crafted United’s first opening, forcing – Rovers’ stopper – Steve Phillips to parry his 25-yarder to safety following good work from Simon Johnson down the right flank.
But Duffy did grab the home side’s third goal midway through the opening period, touching the ball past Sam Oji before blasting home.
Guinan headed a Johnson free-kick straight at Phillips as Hereford sought what already seemed nothing more than a consolation goal, whilst Robbie Threlfall wastefully blazed over from a promising position.
United did at least end the first half strongly. Richard Rose slashed wide from close range after failing to get the ball out of his feet, before Ben Smith sent a 30-yard stinger straight at goalkeeper Phillips who acrobatically palmed the ball away.
Beckwith: Uncharacteristic error
The ineffective Ashikodi was hauled off in place of Bradley Hudson-Odoi at the break, but the home side needed less than a minute after the restart to extend their lead. Jeff Hughes beat a flat-footed Rose to the ball on the edge of the danger-zone, before spanking it into the top-corner first time.
Hereford responded immediately with substitute Hudson-Odoi seeing an effort cleared off the line, whilst Johnson curled a 25-yard effort high, wide and handsome.
United’s afternoon was almost summed up perfectly just six-minutes into the second half as a low right-wing cross ricocheted off Beckwith’s knee and flew a whisker away from the upright.
But Hudson-Odoi thought he had got on the score-sheet for the second consecutive game minutes later, playing a neat one-two with Guinan before toe-poking the ball past Phillips and into the net, only for the assistant referee’s flag to deny him.
Craig Samson made, arguably, his first save of the day after 67 minutes – having had no chance of keeping out any of the Pirates’ four goals – comfortably collecting Hughes’ left-footed curler after he had turned neatly on the edge of the penalty area.
The Bulls replaced both their wingers with a little under 20 minutes remaining as Jack MacLeod and Matt Done replaced Clint Easton and Simon Johnson respectively.
But despite largely dominating possession during the closing stages of the encounter, Hereford could do little with it.
Something that couldn’t be said of their opponents, who notched their fifth after 77 minutes courtesy of a second stunning effort from Lambert, this time sending a 25-yard free-kick straight into the bottom corner.
And it got worse for the Bulls in the dying minutes, as Chris Lines replicated Lambert’s effort, sending his direct set-piece into the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar.
Guinan netted the scantest of consolations for the visitors in injury-time, netting from close-range, but it was barely that.
Samson: Little he could do
Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Anthony, Elliott, Campbell, Hughes, Lescott, Pipe, Lines, Disley, Duffy (Williams 78), Lambert (Hunt 78).
Subs not used: Mike Green, Rigg, Hinton
Booked: Pipe
Hereford United: Samson, Rose, Beckwith, Oji, Threlfall, Johnson (Done 72), Diagouraga, Smith, Easton (MacLeod 72), Ashikodi (Hudson-Odoi 46), Guinan.
Subs not used: Randolph, Taylor
Booked: Oji
Attendance: 6,735 – 588 away
| Attendance: | 6735 |
| Added Time: | 2 |
| Referee: | A R Hall |
| Linesmen: |
P J Grove K Johnson |
| 4th Official: | A R Hendley |
3min - Duffy nets early opener
Bristol Rovers 1 - 0 Hereford United
7min - Lambert curls home 25-yarder
Bristol Rovers 2 - 0 Hereford United
22min - Duffy blasts home Rovers' third
Bristol Rovers 3 - 0 Hereford United
46min - Hughes rockets one in seconds after interval
Bristol Rovers 4 - 0 Hereford United
78min - Lambert nets second from free-kick
Bristol Rovers 5 - 0 Hereford United
88min - Lines also scores direct from free-kick
Bristol Rovers 6 - 0 Hereford United
90min - Guinan bundles in consolation goal
Bristol Rovers 6 - 1 Hereford United
Fan RatingsRegistered users only
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Fan Comments (46)
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bjb
Posted: 23/08/08 17:01
i couldnt go 2day becuase i had 2 visit family, im glad i saved my money! c'mon bulls we are better than this !
Posted: 23/08/08 17:06
JESUS CHRIST!!! its not even funny now fi we dont bring in 4 players this week we're really gonna struggle.
ehambrey
Member since: 25/12/2006
Posted: 23/08/08 17:06
oh dear!
stamford
Member since: 16/08/2007
Posted: 23/08/08 17:26
nil desperandum never despair early days get behind the lads need a win to get confidence back need new players goal scorers please apply get behind the boys next game could be a long season
Posted: 23/08/08 17:51
i know it's only game 3 in the season, but i felt this sort of game should be must not lose. we didn't just lose, we've been hammered by a team that struggled to do anything last season in this league. i really hope that this isn't a sign of things to come, bring back andy williams... come on you bulls!
spencehufc
Member since: 20/01/2008
Posted: 23/08/08 17:52
CRAP, absolutely CRAP, the players were played off the park, no passion, no pride, no point!!! What the hell we guna do???
spencehufc
Member since: 20/01/2008
Posted: 23/08/08 17:58
bjb, you got some nerve coming on here and commenting when you couldnt be arsed to go!
spencehufc
Member since: 20/01/2008
Posted: 23/08/08 18:01
Where are the Beckwiths, Toumanis, smiths etc gone, we had them last season playing some great football but theyve not turned up so far this season. Must of really worked hard last week on defensive mistakes, we're getting worse!! Need some players with balls and passion to sign this week!
Shaun
Posted: 23/08/08 18:35
To be fair I thought you guys had a good passing game going, Just one of those days when everything the Gas hit went in. At least 4 contenders for goal of the season, even at 3-0 I thought that if the Bulls scored we would struggle to win. Keep passing the ball and you'll win more than you lose.
Posted: 23/08/08 18:35
Glad we lost by so many today, losing 2-1 you feel that we just need a bit of tinkering but today showed how poor we are and what needs to be done!! See Lionel and Theo didnt even make the benh today!!!
Posted: 23/08/08 18:38
Lets not forget what we acheived last season, keep the faith and GT will come up with the goods
speedo
Member since: 30/10/2006
Posted: 23/08/08 18:39
I left the ground as we went 4-0 down.This could be a long season couldn't it.Defence looked like rabbits in the headlights most of the time,strikers didn't look dangerous.Are we out of our depth? Rovers looked a lot more composed and comfortable on the ball.New signings please Mr Turner.
dante gas
Posted: 23/08/08 18:59
i was their today and your team were not bad in fact they were the better team 2nd half but everything rovers hit just went in.
good luck for the rest of the season
justvansltd
Member since: 23/08/2008
Posted: 23/08/08 19:33
Went to the game today , defensive errors , and a few set peices let your lot down . And the manager getting the players back out 5 mins early and cussing them and putting them through their paces before the second half on the pitch , did not do you any favours
simon
Posted: 23/08/08 19:48
need a goalscorer, a new defender, and a decent goalkeeper. up the bulls!
joemontana
Posted: 23/08/08 20:26
Thanks graham and the players for last year- good football and good decisions by gt got us our just desserts. This year and already "allowing" Wayne Brown and John McCombe to leave were and will be seen as terrible decisions.Last year we could have fielded two separate back fours,this year and in a higher grade and we can barely field one. Randolph and Sansom are no Wayne Brown,Rose is being played out of position(confidence after today must be rock bottom for him)Oji does not have McCombe's positional savvy and Beckwith has the jitters big time. Look pretty going forward but no real penetration,Bradley is a hard working lad but no Hooper or Theo for that matter and Moses can have the train fare back to Watford as that's where I think he would rather be. Three games in and unless something really dramatic happens,we are down.Simply put the team that finished last season are better than the team expected to keep us in Division 1. I hope I am wrong
Nigel
Posted: 23/08/08 21:42
It may look very bad, but i'll tell you this. You are one of the best passing sides i've witnessed at the Mem. ok, not much penetration and the blond centre half had a poor game, but keep the faith, you have a good manager, I'm sure he will sort it. Good luck for the rest of the season.
leslie12
Member since: 07/07/2008
Posted: 23/08/08 21:46
sorry folks gt has done well to get us here but now we are totally out of our league no team can survive in our embarrising home gates we need big money putting into club mr blandford where are you we all know you as a supporter please step forward
audiaaa4
Member since: 04/11/2007
Posted: 23/08/08 22:05
last comment is spot on. We basically seem to have a diluted version of last season's squad in a higher league. Should have kept brown by offering a two year deal, mcombe and trent too and should have used some of the transfer money we got for selling ainsworth to buy a striker, our own striker, mr gary hooper no less. Its all very well talking about "living within our means" but you need to give supporters a reason to come to games and get behind the team. We have the worst ground in the football leauge and a team that have only beaten ledbury town this season. That is not a recipie for big gates and will therefore mean less money coming in, and probable relegation. Please GT SORT THIS OUT or we are playing league two or even conference football in a couple of seasons time. I too hope that I am wrong.
leslie12
Member since: 07/07/2008
Posted: 23/08/08 22:47
we are the hull city of our league no thats not fair at least have got fight spirit and a voiceferous crowd and we have none of those things
Zupporter
Posted: 23/08/08 23:16
Sad to see tha squad is worser this season than last. No replacements for Brown, McClenahan, McCombe and Robinson will sink the ship. Easton and Guinan are over the hill som we need som new faces - soon.
Jammerzz Gas Head Til I DIe
Posted: 24/08/08 01:44
Ur team have a great passing ability and u jst need 2 do someting with all the posession as a Bristol Rovers fan of course im over the moon about the result but i do feel 4 u guys.
I went 2 the game n it was value 4 money :P U have 2 admit it was pretty funny when all us Rovers fans celebrated ur goal aswell lol
Neway good luck wif the rest of the season hope u survive (Y)
JULES EVESHAM BULL
Posted: 24/08/08 02:12
Hope GT will set the alarm clocks for next match, Defence were clearly asleep! We need to decide on team & formation & stick with it. Its too late to start tickering. However good to see Guinun score he never gave up hope some of the others take note. At least things can only get better now lets put this one under the carpet & get behind the Lads next game.
Posted: 24/08/08 08:21
You should take heart from the fact your players kept trying to play positively right to the final whistle and didn't let their heads drop. Also your support was fantastic and the wild celbrations that greeted your late consolation was a joy to behold.
In 2/3rds of the pitch you were fine. Defensively you need to go back to basics but, as others have said, I have not seen Rovers ever score 6 better goals than that in a game and you have to give credit where it is due to our strikers as your keeper never stood a chance wiith any of the finishes.
hufcmike
Member since: 08/02/2008
Posted: 24/08/08 09:45
early days yet
jiles-hufc4eva
Member since: 15/07/2007
Posted: 24/08/08 11:43
shocking result!!! but we deffo gotta bounce back against crewe and show the league what hereford are really capable of. we need a few more signings who will be dangerous and get results 4 us. just hope we cope now in league 1! up the Whites!!!
gwood-cole05
Member since: 17/02/2008
Posted: 24/08/08 12:31
turner for god sake get rid of gunian hes is rubbish poor result and clint was awful cum on u bulls and turnewr get rid of steve
Andy
Posted: 24/08/08 13:39
Don't get to down beat. Still time to put things right. These are: Keep up the passing game, look ok in midfield and pushing out. Work on defence, do not allow attackers to turn - close them down early. More movement required up front with quicker passing. Finally shoot when the option is available, at times it looked liked we were trying to walk the ball in when there were shooting options. We were not completely rubbish but defence did leave a lttle to be desired and needs more grit. Well done Stevie G! Come on the Bulls!!
captain
Member since: 25/10/2006
Posted: 24/08/08 15:00
GT I am begging you with most of the other supportors, get rid of Ashikodi, and get someone good in!! We need someone big upfront who can play with Hudson-Odoi and we will be fine in the goal scoring department.
south bristol gas
Posted: 24/08/08 16:25
i have 2 agree with dante gas rovers had the luck your team were not poor just unlucky i really do believe if u play like u did yesterday u will not go down good luck for rest of season bulls c u on return fixyure
gashead
Posted: 24/08/08 18:28
Gashead here in peace! felt like i should have a comment, as i have to agree with the other rovers fans. the scoreline totally flattered us, you played the ball around really nicely, just for once we managed to hold up in all three key areas! have to say that weve seen a lot lot worse in this league so dont panic too much. as has been said above, just one of those lucky days for us yesterday! chin up lads, you really werent that bad.
80's throwback
Posted: 25/08/08 00:23
I firmly believe we will stay up. Yes we need some new signings but GT hasn't let the club down yet. Booing and jeering the players will not help we must get behind the team,I defy anyone to say they have not had bad days at work when things have not gone right for them, the only difference is we don't have thousands of people watching us. I know it's easy to be gracious after your team has just won 6-1 but I agree with what the Bristol fans have said on here, think back to our 5-1 beating of Darlington last year. After all that, but perhaps it's just me that thinks it's just a game and there are more important things in life. Come on the bulls you can compete and hold your own in this division just believe and think back to leeds, tanmere and hartlepool of last season.
sambull
Member since: 19/01/2008
Posted: 25/08/08 13:06
that gwood-cole05 what are u on about??? steve was one of the oldest player for hereford on that pitch with the highest work rate! he played so well! but ok clint didnt have such a good game!
liamo
Member since: 30/07/2008
Posted: 25/08/08 21:20
The reality is that GT will have to solve the growing problems without too much more thinkering with the team, although, I'm not impressed with Samson I think he cound have done more for a few of the goals. A point against Crewe will stop the rot and we go on from there.
hermonmonster
Posted: 25/08/08 22:00
Cmon u bulls stick with it
hermonmonster
Posted: 25/08/08 23:18
we need to remember that we may be punching above our weight in this league and think about where we were 3 seasons ago in the conference I agree GT should not have sold Mcombe but he has done so well for us it is only three games gone lets get behind the team not criticise them.
hufc252
Posted: 26/08/08 11:46
i really hope GT can turn this around. i see ainsworth is never in the watford squad along with theo, bring them back on loan! we need alot more firepower and ambition up top. i just hope we do not become another torquay united. every supporter knows that we were going to struggle this season but saturday was a disgrace, i sincerely hope we do not become the laughing stock of the football league. i believe 19th would be a hell of an accomplishment.
steph.pennington
Member since: 24/10/2006
Posted: 26/08/08 17:47
Please, please, please do not get on the players backs - they need our support - I hate going to games when all the crowd do is moan - we have had a lot to celebrate recently - we have gone up a league and games will be a lot harder - terrible result but we need to bounce back and for the crowd to get behind the team. Only three games in and a long way to go.
james
Posted: 26/08/08 18:05
unlucky against bristol lads we played good football at times but what was the matter with our defence IT WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE CMON GT SORT IT OUT i hope to see a better performance next game and a better attendence.
Posted: 26/08/08 19:26
we all knew this would be a hard season, facts are we have scored in every game but the biggest fact is our defence is leeking goals, so whilst people are talking about getting Theo and / or Ainsworth etc back lets look at basics you dont concede you dont lose!!..we have been flattered by fantastic football for more than a couple of seasons, now is the time to get behinde the team, not criticise. 6 - 1 hurts all of us but now is when the true bulls fans stand by the god who is GT to sort this out. HUFC TILL I DIE.
4dee
Posted: 26/08/08 19:29
Remember when we dished it out to Halifax and Dagenham? Now we have to men enought to take it, get bhind the team in numbers and make Edgar Street a cauldren of noise, Not bleat and moan at individual players. If the other 10 put in as much effort as Guinan we'd have nine points now. Read what the BR fans are saying and get behind the team, if you just want to moan, stay at home
Posted: 26/08/08 21:30
Neat approach play. Indecisve upfront. Unablke to cope withb reakaway, long balls. Effort reasonable. Closing down poor. BUT some quality particularly in midfield. Result!!!. Good to hear sensible comments from BR supporters. Need 4000 on sat or will the fickle fans give up. For those just look at Wrexham gates. Where would we prefer to be???? We need to encourage the team and support their efforts. Bad results will come and go _ we must take the rough with the smooth. Thats the way its going to be this season. Did we really expect anything different. STaying up is priority and a reality check for those who have expectations currntly beyond the clubs resources.
Posted: 26/08/08 22:12
kevin kyle is available for transfer from coventry southend are linked to him but they've already got 4 or 5 decent strikers and thats an area we need to strengthen. Also a right sided player and maybe another player someone with good expeirence of this level.
hermonmonster
Posted: 26/08/08 22:47
totally agree with steph get behind the team we are not a disgrace and even if we have a bad season we are still solvent and will have a club 2 be proud of. GT hasnt let us down and his committment to the club is unbelievable.
lynchpinbull
Posted: 28/08/08 17:39
Remember it is early days and the club do not have the financial clout that the vast majority have in this division i agree guinan may not be good enough at this level but he has at least showed what is needed by getting stuck in which is what the defence should be doing they should be focused on the job they have to concentrate for 90 minutes not 9 minutes the best form of defence is attack but sadly we do not have the capability 2 good strikers will help eleviate the pressure on the defence as which was clear in the Yeovil game our strikers were robbed of the ball with relative ease so i think the main issue is strikeforce.
vamorris
Member since: 03/11/2006
Posted: 29/08/08 08:55
2 months ago GT, JT and the lads were heros, on Saturday the HUFC fans started the game miserable and got worse. Its ok being cross but shouting abuse at a bunch of boys whose confidence is low really doesn't help. Its payback time for the fans, come on every bulls fan, get to ES tomorrow, bring a friend and SUPPORT your team.