Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Hereford United: Chadwick Pen Earns Pilgrims A Point

Two late red cards marred a feisty relegation tussle between Plymouth Argyle and Hereford United, Nick Chadwick's late penalty rescuing a point for the Greens at Home Park.

The point keeps Argyle off the bottom of the table, though gaffer Carl Fletcher felt a more consistent performance could have resulted in three points.

"At times, in the first half, we were okay; at times we weren't. In the second half, we weren't and then we were. So it was up and down.

"Overall, I'm disappointed we didn't win at home because we want to win every home game we play but it's another big case that we didn't lose today.

"After going a goal behind, we came back well and possibly could have won, but, in terms of what we're looking at and what we want, it wasn't fully there."

The opening period was a largely drab affair, Chadwick forced Bulls stopper Adam Bartlett into a fine save early on, Yoann Arquin's spectacular scissor kick flashing inches wide for Hereford.

Durrell Berry looked on in horror after he sliced Delroy Facey's centre towards his own goal, the crossbar sparing the 19 year old's blushes.

67 minutes in, however, the travelling support did have something to cheer. Harry Pell found yards of space in the final third and burst into the penalty area, cutting the ball back for on loan Blackpool winger Tom Barkhuizen to give United the lead.

The Pilgrims were fighting hard for a way back into the game and were rewarded when Nicky Featherstone clattered substitute Warren Feeney in the area, former Bull Chadwick converting the 81st minute penalty.

Michael Townseend's crass fould ended Ashley Hemmings forthright run, earning the defender a second yellow card.

Feeney had two late opportunites to snatch the full quotient of points for the home side; initially forcing Adam Bartlett into an outstanding full-stretched save before sending a swivelling volley into the Green Army behind the goal.

Darren Purse still found the time to receive Argyle's ninth red card of the season after a dreadfully mistimed slide on Nathan Elder, though the 26 year old's breakdancing antics made the challenge look worse than it actually was.
Hereford boss Jamie Pitman left with his frustration increased following the low points return his side have garnered from their last few games, despite positive displays.

"We go into every game wanting to win it but obviously it was a big game given where both teams are in the league.

"Our last three performances previous to this one have not given us the rewards we have probably deserved.

"Today was another such case. To be fair to them, they have had a few chances but I think we were good value for the win."

Rovers Halted By Rear Guard Bulls

Hereford boss Jamie Pitman claimed he was 'very pleased with the point' that his side claimed away at Bristol Rovers after a 0-0 draw in the West Country, saying 'it's something to build on'. The bricklaying must start soon for the workmanlike Bulls, though, as they are still to win a league game this season.

"Now we need to show a bit of belief that we can go on and win a game." Continued the Bulls chief, "We've defended very well today and ground out a very good point at what is a very difficult place to come.

"Paul Buckle has got a great record at this level and knows how to organise his teams well. We've come under a bit of pressure but also, on the other hand, we have had our moments as well."

Facing one of the stronger squads in League 2 Hereford, languishing one place off the foot of the basement division, were forced to work hard in defence, successfully denying the home side any clear cut chances.

Rovers spurned numerous opportunities, Matt Harrold having two headed chances either side of the half time whistle saved, the first being tipped onto an upright.

Hereford only hit the target twice throughout the ninety minutes but came closest when Harry Pell's swerving cross looped over Scott Bevan's head, clattering off the inside of the post and away. The former Pirates midfielder also saw a penalty appeal turned down after falling meekly in the area.

There was one last chance for the hosts but Lee Brown was unable to connect sweetly with his injury time diving header.

Rovers gaffer Buckle chose to speak not about his teams inability to deliver the killer blow, instead blaming the Memorial Stadium surface for thwarting the pace of his sides play.

"I couldn't believe what it was like and it's a lesson learned for the future. There is nothing a visiting side like more than a pitch which slows up the play.

"It sounds like an excuse but it's actually a reason why we didn't get better crosses into the box from the right in the first half.

Rovers Assets Fail To Beat Hereford

Two teams with divisional aims that are poles apart faced off at the Memorial Stadium, only to find that the gap was not so great after all. Bristol Rovers, installed as second favourites for the League 2 title by the majority of bookmakers, have their sights set firmly on an immediate return to the English third tier come May. For Hereford the task is to maintain Football League status, a feat achieved by a mere three points last season.

The Rovers squad looks to have it all, experience, youth, pace, strength and flair and under the stewardship of daring manager Paul Buckle, a man who took lowly Torquay United from the Conference to the brink of League 1, their fans have good reason to be titillated over their chances of promotion. Twice, too, they attempted to draw blood in the early stages against Hereford, the experience, Scott McGleish, finding the hands of David Cornell with the games first attempt before swiping a low drive across the face of the Swansea City loanee's goal upon being given the gift of space in the penalty area.

Much of the Bulls struggles last term figured around the lack of goals, just fifty in all in the league, Stuart Fleetwood the only man to make it into double figures. The additional captures, however, of experienced striker Delroy Facey, still able to pump his athletic legs across a football field at great speed, and Yoann Arquin, a powerful striker taken from the French lower leagues, had given hope of a change in destiny this time around. The Hereford faithful are still waiting for the wheel of fortune to turn.

Seven games into the season the Bulls have just a brace of goals to show, one apiece for Facey and Arquin, with just one of those strikes coming in league competition. If the West Midlands club are to up their goal tally this year then they will need to be far more ruthless in their finishing than shown in this display, Facey missing his side's only notable chance of the first half, heading wide from a Simon Clist cross.

Tuesday night saw both these sides in Carling Cup action, Hereford dropping out of the tournament after conceding two late goals at Villa Park. Rovers, on the other hand, shook up the already frail foundations of Championship Watford's season, finishing level at 1-1 after 120 minutes of football before hitting the back of the net on four out of five occasions in the shootout decider. The Bristolian's equaliser in midweek came via the right boot of top scorer Matt Harrold, proving, during the early exchanges of the season, to be Rovers in-form man.

The 6' 1" striker is a pivotal cog in Paul Buckle's engine room, responsible for taking the ball out of the air and onto the ground in preparation for further assault on opposition territory, and he proved to be the key man once again in sunny Horfield. It was the Londoner who had the best opportunity of all during the first period, his flicked header from a hurled Matt Gill throw in tipped onto the post by the scrambling Cornell, the Hereford custodian saving once again from Harrold at the start of the second half.

Despite the statistical dominance of the home side it was the visitors ranks that contained the afternoon's shining light, coming in the shape of Harry Pell, a young man who turned down the offer of a new contract during the summer reshuffle at Rovers in search of first team football, happening upon such an opening with Jamie Pitman's side. The former Charlton youth ran the middle of the park for the duration of the game, driving his side on and threatening a steadfast Pirates' defence when the occasion suited.

The luck that has seemingly deserted the Whites for much of the short duration of the season almost emphatically had a change of heart. Man of the match Pell slung in a cross from deep in the right hand channel that viciously whipped over the head of the stranded Scott Bevan who could only listen to the thud of the ball rebounding off the post as he fell backward towards his own line, the defenders in front of him finally clearing the threat.

That slice of fortune did, however, come to the visitors rescue with just seconds left on the clock as Rovers left back Lee Brown blazed into the Bulls penalty area, flinging himself head first at a cross from his namesake Wayne, his neck proving millimetres too short as the ball grazed off his forehead and into the advertising hoardings in front of the Blackthorn End, it's thousand inhabitants left to stand stunned, hands on heads, knowing that was to be the conclusion of the afternoon's quest for three points.

Another Thrashing In The Offing?

During their four year stint in League 1 the best result Bristol Rovers managed came in an emphatic 6-1 win over Hereford, taking no pity on a side destined for relegation back to the Football League's basement division at the first attempt, and they will be hoping for a just as convincing scoreline when they face the Bulls on Saturday.

Rovers are yet to settle into the rhythm expected from them during pre-season, they lost just one of their first team friendlies, but that is not to say that have started poorly. The Gas sit ninth in the table with seven points, their last league game ending in stalemate away at Macclesfield last weekend, though they will be buoyed by a battling display against Championship Watford on Tuesday night, holding Shaun Dyche's men to a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes before finishing them off in the resultant penalty shootout.

With striker Matt Harrold starting the season the fine form, the ex-Shrewsbury marksman having netted three goals Rovers five games, and a squad packed full of attacking talent in terms of pace, flair and experience the blank drawn at Macclesfield is likely to be an irregular occurrence wherever Rovers take to the pitch, most notably at home in front of a vociferous home crowd.

In complete contrast to the promotion hopefuls Hereford have much lesser ambitions in League 2 this term, the highest finishing position seen since the relegation from the third tier three seasons ago being sixteenth, the Bulls ending up just three points away from the drop into non-league in May. The cumulative drop in League positions since the 2008/09 season looks to be continuing as Jamie Pitman's side currently find themselves in the bottom two just four games in, only collecting their first point with a 1-1 draw away at Wimbledon on Saturday. That result continued a run of nine away games without a win for Hereford, March the last time they took all three points on the road.

It will be a return to Bristol for a pair of former Rovers players. Ryan Green spent three years with the club and claimed an assist in the 2007 play-off final win at Wembley while Harry Pell, also a loanee at Edgar Street last year, played ten times for the West Country side before turning down a new contract in search of first team football.

The home side will be without Stuart Campbell, the player-coach suffering with a hamstring injury, while Gary Sawyer is still recovering from a hernia operation. Cian Bolger tweaked his ankle ligaments in Tuesday's Carling Cup tie and will miss out against Hereford. Chris Zebroski was also withdrawn from the field against Watford as a precaution but has been back in training and will be in contention as is Harrold, another Pirate subbed off last time out. Joe Anyinsah could make a return to the starting line up having fought back from a hamstring tweak.

There are potential debuts in the offing for Bulls loan duo Will Evans and Thomas Barkhuizen. Wiltshire born Evans comes to the West Midlands from Swindon Town having made one appearance in senior football, as has Barkhuizen, moving down to Hereford from Blackpool until January. Another loanee, Simon Clist, was cup-tied for the midweek game at Aston Villa on Tuesday but could return to to the side at the Memorial Stadium while Rob Purdie faces a fitness test on his thigh.

Stopper Adam Bartlett, saver of two penalties in a Hereford shootout win the last time the two sides met, is definitely out with a thigh injury with central defensive pair Stefan Stam and Beniot Dalibard both out with hamstring problems.

Bulls Snap Up Pell

Having turned down the offer of a new contract at Bristol Rovers midfielder Harry Pell has decided to join League 2 rivals Hereford United on a two year deal.

During the early part of the summer break Rovers chairman Nick Higgs confirmed that the club were in talks with the Essex born player after he impressed during the latter stages of the season, making nine appearances after returning from an initial loan period with the Bulls.

During his first stint at Edgar Street Pell played seven games, the first two of which came off of the bench, and made a big impact on manager Jamie Pitman who noted such when speaking of his new signing. "I'm delighted to welcome Harry to the club after an impressive loan spell last season" said Pitman.

Prior to joining the Pirates Pell had been released by Charlton Athletic, the club he was a part of since age seven, and spent time at Hastings United on work experience. Following his release Pell also had trials for Gillingham and Wycombe before deciding to settle himself in Bristol.

Midweek League 1 Round Up - 25/01/2011

Six fixtures took place on Tuesday evening in League 1, the highlight being Brighton, top of the division, taking on Colchester at the Withdean but there were also important games taking place at Hillsborough and The County Ground in Swindon.

Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Colchester United


With MK Dons being the only other member of the top six to be playing Brighton had the chance to extend their lead at the top of League 1 to six points and they didn't disappoint, remaining at the head of the table for the 18th consecutive game.

Albion threatened early and loan signing Chris Woods nodded a shot towards goal, only to see it come back off of the post, but it was just before half time that the home side took the lead, Inigo Calderon stroking home, the full backs fifth goal of the season.

With 75 minutes on the clock Brighton doubled their advantage thanks to Craig Noone's first goal for the club since joining from Plymouth at the start of the month, beating numerous before driving past Ben Williams from the edge of the area. Colchester will be without Pat Baldwin for their next game after the defender was shown red for a second bookable offence late on.

Leyton Orient 2-2 MK Dons


Despite a patchy run of form MK Dons find themselves sat in fifth place in League 1 following an exciting encounter at Brisbane Road. A win would have taken the Dons up to fourth but Orient are decent at home, having gone unbeaten in their previous eight fixtures at their own place including a thumping 4-0 weekend win over big guns Sheffield Wednesday. Orient were without manager Russel Slade for this game, the gaffer having to spend time in hospital following minor surgery, so assistant manager Kevin Nugent was to take charge, and it wasn't long before they found themselves behind in a pulsating first half.

It was Stephen Gleeson who gave the Dons the lead with a stunning volley from 25 yards out having controlled the ball on his chest. Two minutes was all the lasted, though, Scott McGleish taking advantage of Dean Lewington's slip to draw Orient onto level terms. That goal totally changed the game and the O's started to make real headway, Dean Cox rifling a shot back off the post before the winger turned provider, sending in a cross for experienced defender Terrell Forbes to head home and it remained that way until 56 minutes. Sean O'Hanlon heading in from close range from a Peter Leven delivery.

It remained that way until the end pushing Orient a point further from the relegation zone and propelling the Dons into the play-off zone, although the away side would have preferred the victory they arguably deserved, having a negative goal difference and playing at least two games more than many of the teams on their tail.

Walsall 1-1 Oldham Athletic



Before this game Walsall were cut adrift at the bottom of the table, nine points behind 20th placed Swindon Town and after this draw nothing had changed. Oldham on the other hand knew that a win against the strugglers would see themselves jump Charlton, Peterborough and possibly the MK Dons and into the play-off places.

Much of the early pressure came from the hosts but on a number of ocassions striker Will Grigg, recently called up to the Northern Irish under-21 side, found himself unable to beat Oldham stopper Ben Amos and they were punished for their carelessness when Filipe Morais scored in his second successive game to give Latics the lead. Just past the hour mark Walsall levelled thanks to a fierce Darryl Westlake effort from just inside the penalty area.

It was a result that will do no side any great favours as they continue in their own personal battles at either end of the league table.

Sheffield Wednesday 2-2 Yeovil Town



Following an appauling mauling from Leyton Orient on Saturday Sheffield Wednesday looked to get their play-off challenge back on trakc against relegation threatened Yeovil, but there was to be no relief for under fire Owls boss Alan Irvine following a clash that had it all.

Dean Bowditch opened the scoring for Yeovil, running into the area and seeing his shot take a deflection off of a home defender to loop over the stranded Nicky Weaver and into the net. It was down to Wednesday's new signing Gary Madine to level it up for the home team, heading in from six yards out. Two melees took place on the pitch as the game really started to heat up and tensions boiled over.

The Somerset side took the lead again in the second half, Paul Huntington heading goalwards from an Andy Welsh corner before the context of the game changed due to a second yellow card for Yeovil full back Luke Ayling. Adam Virgo came on to shore up the Glovers defence, only to be sent off for fouling Madine in the area moments later. It was down to Giles Coke to level it up for Wednesday and if it weren't for Paul Heffernan encroaching into the area it would been, but as it stood the penalty had to be retaken and this time it didn't end well for the former Motherwell midfielder as he skied the ball well over the crossbar.

With four minutes left, however, Wednesday drew level. Despite a fine double save from Yeovil man of the match Stephen Henderson Reda Johnson knocked the ball over the line to deny Yeovil a battling win. The home side sit 10th, off of the pace and will hope for an up turn in fortunes between now and the end of the season. Yeovil remain in the relegation zone but their good form in recent games will give them the confidence that they need to stay up.

Hartlepool United 1-1 Notts County



Injury hit Notts County faced a trip to Hartlepool where a draw always looked the likely result. County were unbeaten in their last four games on the road, drawing three and winning one trip, while Pools had gone 419 minutes without scoring a goal.

It was Hartlepool who made the breakthrough in the 38th minute, Gary Liddle the scorer despite claims of offside from the Notts defence. The Magpies had to wait until the second half for their equaliser, Lee Hughes stepping off of the bench to secure a point for the visitors, knocking the ball over the line from a position he could hardly miss from. The striker is the subject of transfer interest from Sheffield Wednesday, who are looking to bolster an already strong frontline in their promotion challenge.

County moved a further point away from the relegation zone while Hartlepool have now failed to win in five games.

Swindon Town 0-0 Tranmere Rovers



Following Saturday's 3-1 defeat to local rivals Bristol Rovers Danny Wilson is starting to look down the barrel as his side slip deeper into relegation trouble. Tranmere have moved slightly away from trouble after they shocked Southampton 2-0 at the weekend.

The best chance of a dour game fell to Charlie Austin but the wantaway striker saw his penalty saved by former Fulham goalkeeper Tony Warner after Michael Timlin was fouled in the area by Joss Labadie. Tranmere's best chance fell to Lateef Elford-Alliyu who hit the post while Rovers also saw two penalty shouts turned down. In the second half Austin had another great chance but his drive from a tight angle hit the underside of the crossbar before bouncing to safetey for the Merseysiders.

A draw does neither of the sides any real favours as they both remain in trouble at the wrong end of the League 1 table.