Failure to take chances costly for young Bulls

10:50am Friday 22nd August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Hereford United Youth 1 Oxford United Youth 3 A FAILURE to take their chances was the main cause for concern as Hereford opened their Puma Youth Alliance South West Division programme with a home defeat.

This was perhaps to be expected as the side included several new faces who will need time to gel.

Both sides started at a tremendous pace. Nick Evans raced through and watched his shot strike the upright and Chris Hyde might have gained a penalty during another Hereford attack. Oxford took the lead midway through the half when the home defence failed to clear a high ball into the box.

Hereford were back on level terms inside ten minutes. Hyde, a former Middlesbrough Academy player making his debut, was pushed in the area again, and this time a penalty was awarded. Jamie Cuthbertson stroked his spot kick into the bottom corner.

Oxford came out full of fire in the second half, with striker Chris Fowler a particular handful for the home defence. The home side appeared to weather the storm, but then conceded a goal on the hour, and another 12 minutes later.

Hereford kept going and both Evans and substitute Aidan Thomas broke clear but failed to tuck their chances away.

Ashley Stubbs and Zac Brimble made promising debuts in the starting line-up.