League 2 Season 2009-10

The League 2 Season 2009-10 campaign began on the 8 August 2009, when the Bulls travelled to Christie Park to face Morecambe. It was United's twenty-third season in the fourth tier of English Football, and the Bulls first since relegation from League 1. United eventually finished the season in 16th place.

August
The 2009-10 Coca-Cola League 2 fixtures were released on the 17th June 2009, with Hereford United opening their campaign away at Morecambe, who'd finished the previous League 2 season in eleventh place. Despite falling behind in the 57th minute, the Bulls rallied to secure a 2-2 draw at Christie park. A fine Marc Pugh individual effort gave Hereford the lead after thirty-nine minutes. The wideman covered much ground, before striking home from 25 yards. However, the lead was short lived, with the Shrimps pegging the bulls back just four minutes later. Former Bull, Craig Stanley converting Michael Twiss' lay off. Morecambe led in the sixtieth minute, when Steward Drummond headed home, unmarked, Mark Duffy's cross. The Bulls seemed destined to taste defeat, but then in stoppage time Pugh rescued a point, tapping home a Matty Done cross. This would be Hereford's last game at Christie Park.

Seven days later, Hereford secured their second point of the season, in a 1-1 draw, against local rivals Cheltenham Town, at Edgar Street. Elvis Hammond beat Richard Rose, before moving into the penalty area, and striking firmly beyond Adam Bartlett. The Bulls once again rescued a point, when Kenny Lunt's perfectly timed ball, was controlled by, loan-signing, Jonny Godsmark who netted from an acute angle.

On 18 August, the Bulls succumbed to their first defeat of the season, 3-1 at home to Bury. After 10 minutes, Hereford defender Darren Dennehy was penalised on the edge of the area for a high foot. The decision would prove costly when Michael Jones curled his free-kick over the wall, and into the top corner. Hereford were quickly level, when Leon Constantine's twenty-five yard effort, found the net via the post. After a competitive first half, Hereford were soundly outplayed in the second half. Two close range Ryan Lowe strikes gave Bury a comfortable 3-1 lead, before Ryan Valentine was awarded his second yellow card, and duly became the first Hereford player to be sent off, in the 2009-10 season.

Four days later, Hereford's poor start to the season continued. Billy Jones converted his own missed penalty, to give Crewe Alexandra a 1-0 victory. The last match of the month failed to produce that elusive win when Hereford drew 2-2 with Port Vale, on the 29th August. After thirty-six minutes, Pugh turner his marker left, then right, before striking home from eighteen yards. Port Vale dominated the early exchanges of the second half and were rewarded with two goals. After just five minutes, Louis Dodds beat Dennehy before placing the ball beyond Bartlett to level the scoring, Four minutes later, Vale led, Rob Taylor scoring a delightfully struck twenty yard strike. Once again, the Bulls were forced to rescue a late point. Former Bull John McCoombe brought Richard Rose down inside the area, then, new loan signing Tristan Plummer kept his cool to convert the penalty. Marc Pugh finished the month as the top League goalscorer with three strikes. Kenny Lunt, Matty Done and Glen Southam all finished the month with one assist. Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

September
The Bulls began the month away at Aldershot Town. Despite leading the game for over eighty minutes, two late 'Shots goals denied the Bulls their first win of the season. After four minutes a Darren Jones header struck the arm of Adam Hinshelwood, referee David Phillips was quick to point to the spot. Tristan Plummer duly drilled home his second penalty of the season to give Hereford an early lead. Supporters had to wait until the seventy-eight minute for the second goal of the game, Lunt's through ball found Plummer who scored from close range to double his, and Hereford's, tally. It seemed to all that Hereford were finally heading for their first win of the season, But two late goals rescued a point for the 'Shots. Firstly, Danny Hylton's close range header beat the flailing Bartlett. Just a minute later, and Marvin Morgan's cool finish was enough to secure a point for Aldershot.

Despite the disappointment of Aldershot, Hereford traveled to struggling Grimsby with high hopes of finally securing their first win. However, it was not to be, Grimsby ran out 1-0 winners, with a late scrambled Danny North goal. It was later revealed that manager, John Trewick, offered his resignation following the defeat, which dropped the Bulls into the relegation zone, however it was declined by chairmen Graham Turner.

Seven days later, Hereford finally produced their first win of the season, in a comfortable 2-0 victory against Accrington Stanley. On six minutes, loan signing Craig King volleyed home a Darren Jones flick on to give the Bulls the lead. Valentine doubled the lead, in the second half, when he met Mark Marshall's cross with a thumping header. Hereford were able to hold on to finally record their first victory of the season.

Unfortunately, United were unable to maintain their winning ways. And seven days after their first win of the season, they succumbed to their fourth and heaviest defeat of the season. A 4-1 loss to high flying Rochdale. Marc Pugh scored the Bulls only goal of the game, converting King's low cross at the back post. Ryan Green became the second Bull too be sent off in the 2009-10 season, when he picked up his second yellow.

In the final game of the month, Hereford picked up their most impressive win of the season. A 2-1 defeat of top of the table Bournemouth. After a goalless first half, Craig King's thirty-five yard, produced a through ball, and Marc Pugh struck the opening goal. On the hour mark, Steve Fletcher turned his marker before firing Bournemouth level. The Bulls rallied, fluent midfield passing led to King, one more, finding Pugh who fired home the his second, Hereford's second and the decisive goal.

Marc Pugh, for the second month running, was the months highest scorer with three goals. Craig King topped the months assists charts with three.

October
Hereford began October with a home game against Dagenham & Redbridge. Despite taking the lead in the eightieth minute through James Walker, Wesley Thomas had cancelled out the Bulls opener within three minutes. Seven days later, Hereford once again gained a single point away at Rotherham United, in their first game at the Don Valley Stadium. Adam Le Fondre converted a low Kevin Ellison cross after just ten minutes. As the game progressive, it seemed that this may be the decisive strike, but deep into stoppage time, Lunt emerged from a serious of deflections with the ball before picking out Gavin McCallum who fired home from six yeards.

Hereford continued their impressive recent home form on the 17 October when they defeated a Chesterfield side 1-0. Robert Page clashed with Marshall inside the area, and the referee quickly awarded a penalty, despite vehement protests from the Chesterfield players. Ryan Valentine stepped up to cooly dispatch the penalty, and score the only goal of the game. Despite Hereford's rapidly improving home form they remained poor, and winless on the road, seven days later they were defeated 1-0 at Valley Parade by Bradford City. Gareth Evans scored the only goal of what was an uneventful game.

The final game of the month saw the Bulls record back to back home wins, and extend their unbeaten home record to eight games with a 2-1 defeat of struggling Darlington. Hereford took the lead shortly before half time. Pugh's low cross picked out Ryan Valentine, who controlled before striking home. After fourty-seven minutes the Bulls doubled their lead, Darren Jones heading home a lofted Valentine free-kick. Despite their domination, Hereford still displayed naivety and on seventy-two minutes James Collins punished them with a slotted finish. Fortunately, Hereford were able to hold on for victory to round off a successful month.

Ryan Valentine finished the month top goalscorer with just two strikes.

November
Hereford began November away at Barnet. In a frustrating display, the Bull's spurned several opportunities, Gavin McCallum's late strike was chalked off, and several penalty shouts were denied, as the game finished 0-0. Hereford were still without an away League win.

A week later Hereford traveled to Burton Albion. In contrast to the previous game, this was a high scoring affair, but the Bulls were ultimately defeated 3-2 at the Pirelli Stadium. After a goalless first half, the game sparked into life when Shaun Harrad was allowed to turn in the area, before striking low beyond Bartlett to give Burton the lead. Just ten minutes later, Hereford were level. Gavin McCallum delivering an inch perfect cross to Leon Constantine, who headed the equaliser from close range. Parity lasted all of three minutes for Hereford, when a Burton corner hit the arm of Constantine, the referee pointed to the point. Harrad stepped up to strike his, and Burton's second. Again, Hereford fought back, a Kenny Lunt cross found Valentine who helped the ball across the area, before Constantine notched his second of the game at the back post. It seemed the Bulls were heading for another point, but in the eighty-seventh minute Aaron Webster's head met a John McGrath free-kick to hand Burton all three points.

Three days later, in the last League game of the month, the Bulls bounced back against local rivals Shrewsbury Town. Two first half goals were enough to hand Hereford a win, despite a fightback from Shrewsbury. In the fifth minute Gavin McCallum was brought down inside the area, and Ryan Valentine gave the Bulls the lead from the penalty spot. On the thirtieth minute, Hereford doubled their lead. Constantine played McCallum through, and at the second attempt he was able to beat Andres Arestidou, inside the Shrewsbury goal. Shrewsbury fought back, at on the stroke of half time Waide Fairhurst was able to turn home a corner, after a penalty box scramble. However, the Bulls were able to hold on in the second half, for a 2-1 win. The win continued the Bulls excellent home League form.

Leon Constantine finished the month as top goalscorer with two goals. Several players finished the month with one assist.

December
Hereford began December by finally achieving their first away win of the season. It occurred on the first of December, with a convincing 3-1 win over Northampton Town. Despite falling behind to a first minute Ryan Gilligan goal, the Bulls fought back to win 3-1. After ten minutes Hereford were level, a Jordan Mutch corner found Mathieu Manset who took it first time on the volley, Chris Dunn in the Northampton goal could only push the shot area as far as Darren Jones, who made no mistake to level the scoring. On fifty-seven minutes, Dunn was only able to parry a fierce Mutch free-kick, Manset reacted quickest, and a simple tap in handed the Bulls a 2-1 lead. Then in the seventy-fourth minute a low Marc Pugh cross found Craig King, who had time to control the ball before striking Hereford's third goal.

Four days later, the Bulls seven match unbeaten League home run, came to an end, against big spending Notts County. An efficient performance, saw County run out comfortable 2-0 winners. Goals from Craig Westcarr and Mike Edwards gave the Magpies the win. A week later Hereford traveled to Macclesfield Town, despite the promise of Northampton the Bulls were unable to recreate their performance, and suffered a highly disappointing 3-1 reverse. Two strikes from Emile Sinclair, sandwiched a Benjamin Wright goal to hand Macclesfield a 3-0 lead by the sixty-eight minute. Leon Constantine's late cross shot, was a mere consolation as Hereford suffered a disappointing loss.

In an indication of the winter to come, Hereford's Friday night fixture against Lincoln City was postponed on the eighteenth of December, due to a frozen pitch. The game would eventually be replayed on Tuesday the second of February. Boxing day saw Hereford United suffer their fourth consecutive defeat, at Torquay United. Early in the second half, Darren Jones felled Jake Thompson to give Torquay a penalty, from which Nicky Wroe made no mistake. This would prove to be the decisive goal, after Leon Constantine's strike was ruled out due to offside. The defeat capped off a miserable December for the Bulls, in which they accumulated just three points. On Monday the twenty-eighth of Decemver a second consecutive Hereford home game was postponed due to a frozen pitch. Aldershot town were due to be the opponents.

Several Hereford players finished the month with one goal.

January
January was a month heavily affected by postponements for Hereford. The Bulls managed just three games during the month. The month began, as December had ended with a postponed home game against Crewe Alexandra. The game was due to take place on the second of January but was postponed due to a frozen pitch, caused by large quantities of snow which swept through the UK. On the ninth of January the proposed trip to Cheltenham was postponed, again, due to a frozen pitch. On the sixteenth of January Morecambe became the fourth consecutive home game to be postponed.

On the nineteenth of January, Hereford finally played their first League home game since the fifth of December. A spirited display from Hereford saw them emerge with a single point. Shortly before half time, Pugh beat two men, before finding Constantine whose strong finish found the corner of the net to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead. However, on the other side of half time Clayton Donaldson was able to head home a Shaun Miller cross to hand Crewe an equaliser. That goal was the final of the game, finishing 1-1.

Four days later Hereford traveled North to Bury. After just ninety seconds Darren Jones brought down Ryan Lowe on the edge of the area, before Michael Jones expertly curled the free-kick home. That would prove to be the decisive, and only, goal of the game. The 1-0 win completing Bury's double over Hereford. The Bulls month was completed with a 2-0 defeat at Port Vale, in one of the most disappointing displays of the season. Goals from Craig Davies, and Marc Richards were enough to give Vale a comfortable win. Despite playing five minutes of the first half, and the entire second half with ten men, after Lewis Haldane was dismissed.

Leon Constantine's first half goal against Crewe proved to be the only Hereford goal of the month, with that game also producing the only point.

February
February began more successfully for Hereford. The re-arranged Lincoln City game ended with a comfortable 2-0 win for Hereford. In the twenty-ninth minute Constantine found Gavin McCallum whose strike from six yards found the back of the net. Hereford continued to press, and were rewarded in the fifty-fifth minute. Pugh beat several Lincoln players before finding McCallum, who gleefully struck his second, and Hereford's second, from twelve yards. It was a welcome return to winning ways for Hereford, the first League win since Northampton away.

Four days later the Bulls made it back to back wins against Torquay United. A single McCallum goal was enough, when a Marc Pugh corner found Darren Jones, Torquay 'keeper Michael Poke could only push the ball as far as McCallum, who happily netted his third goal in two games. A week later Hereford traveled to local rivals Shrewsbury Town, with high hopes of continuing their improved form. Despite taking a fifth minute lead, when Kenny Lunt found Constantine who netted from fifteen yards, the Bulls crashed out with goals from Kelvin Langmead, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff and Graham Coughlan. As the Shrews recorded a 3-1 win.

Three days later the Bulls bounced back to winning ways again old foes Aldershot Town. Gavin McCallum gave Hereford the lead after twenty-seven minutes, following an assist from Constantine. The Bulls were two up, just eight minutes later. Pugh firing in a low cross, which Chris Blackburn could only turn into his own net. Ultimately, these would be the only goals of the game, Hereford winning 2-0 to record their third straight home win.

After the postponements of December and January, the fixtures started to come thick and fast for Hereford. Four days later they entertained Burton Albion in a thrilling encounter. Albion took the lead, when Shaun Harrad turned home Greg Pearson's cross. Hereford were level twenty minutes later. Matty Done advance down the left flank before picking out Pugh, whose strike appeared to take a slight deflection, as it glided by Artur Krysiak, in the Albion goal. Ten minutes after half time the Bulls took the lead. Kenny Lunt's powerful thirty yard drive took a slight deflection, to bear Krysiak once more. Four minutes later Hereford seemed to wrap the game up, a serious of deflections occurred in the penalty are, before the ball finally fell to James McQuilkin who made no mistake. But then with thirty minutes remaining Hereford collapsed. Straight from the kick-off Cleveland Taylor was allowed too much time in the area, and he found the corner of the net to make it 3-2. Four minutes later a Taylor free-kick found Aaron Webster who equalised from close range for the Brewers. The game continued at a frenzied pace, with chances at both ends. In stoppage time, Webster was dimissed for a second bookable offense. Then, in the dying seconds of the game, ex-bull Tony James struck the decisive goal from a Keith Gilroy free-kick to give Burton a 4-3 victory.

Three days later the Bulls were in League action at Edgar Street once more. Unfortunately, for the Bulls, they succumbed to their second consecutive home defeat against Northampton Town. Goals from Billy McKay and Adebayo Akinfenwa gave the Cobblers a comfortable 2-0 win. The Bulls finished the month with a disastrous display at Notts County. A Craig Westcarr hat-trick and a Luke Rodgers double inflicted the Bulls heaviest defeat of the season as County ran out 5-0 winners.

Gavin McCallum finished the month top scorer with four goals.

March
Hereford began March with a Wednesday night away trip to local rivals Cheltenham Town. With the Bulls beginning to look over their shoulders, they ground out a valuable 1-0 win. The only goal of the game came midway through the first half, Ryan Green playing a neat "1-2" with Kenny Lunt, before smashing the Bulls ahead. Despite late pressure, Hereford held on for a valuable away victory.

Next up came Macclesfield Town. The game became a sombre affair, following the passing away of Keith Alexander, the Macclesfield manager. The Bulls were disappointing, once more, as they faltered to a 2-0 defeat, with Macclesfield's goals coming from Reneil Sappleton and Emile Sinclair. The game would take on added significance in retrospect, as it became John Trewick's final game as manager of Hereford. With Trewick reflecting:

"I have been relieved of my duties as manager of Hereford United FC with immediate effect during an amicable meeting with Graham Turner. 

''I was given the reasons behind the decision which I understand and accept. The most important thing to me is the continued Football League''

''status of Hereford United. ''I have invested too much time at the Club to see it jeopardised." '

Chairman Graham Turner took over managerial duties for the following game, at Lincoln City. Despite an improved performance the Bulls suffered another defeat to struggling Lincoln. Davide Somma, and Matthew Saunders gave the Imps a 2-0 lead, before Marc Pugh grabbed once back for the Bulls, after Ryan Green's superb first touch and lay off. But in the second half a second Saunders goal, gave Lincoln a comfortable looking win.

On the sixteenth of Match, the Bulls face Morecambe at Edgar Street, but, once more, the Bulls were defeated, a solitary goal from Jim Bentley enough to hand Morecambe the win. Turner finally achieved his first victory since returning to the managerial role, against Bradford City. After thirty-three minutes Hereford took the lead Ryan Valentine finding Mathieu Manset who head the Bulls ahead. Jake Jervis doubled the Bulls lead after a eighty-one minutes, controlling the ball neatly before chipping the oncoming, Bradford 'keeper, Matthew Glennon exquisitely.

In the final game of the month, Hereford made it back to back wins with a 2-1 away victory against Chesterfield. Following a goalless first half, Jervis was given the opportunity to score from the spot. After Marc Pugh had been hauled down by Spirities defender Phil Picken. Jervis made no mistake to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead. Fifteen minutes later, Pugh put himself on the scoresheet. Kenny Lunt laying the ball off, for Pugh to dispatch a calm finish. United suffered a late scare, when Barry Conlon pulled one back for Chesterfield from the spot, after Lewis Young had pulled Adam Rundle down. But Hereford were able to hold on for a valuable win, to end the month.

Jake Jervis, and Marc Pugh both finished the month with two goals.

April
Hereford began April with their third consecutive win against Barnet. United took the lead after twenty-nine minutes, Manset find James McQuikin, who smashed the ball home. Shortly before half time, Richard Rose scored an unfortunate own goal to equalise for Barnet. Sixty-nine minutes had elapsed when Hereford scored the decisive goal. A Lewis Young cross was turned into the net by Gary Breen, for the second own goal of the game.

Two days later the Bulls made it four wins in a row, away at Darlington. The only goal of the game, came in the seventy-fourth minute, Manset finding Pugh, who found the back of the net to give the Bulls a good win. After four wins on the bounce, the Bulls put in a poor performance to lose 1-0 against struggling Grimsby Town. Jamie Devitt grabbing the only goal of the game.

Three days later Hereford looked to bounce back, with a tough looking away trip to Bournemouth. In the thirty-second minute, Ryan Valentine brought down Danny Hollands inside the penalty are, and the referee duly pointed to the stop. Bournemouth, top goalscorer, Brett Pitman stepped up and converted the penalty to give Bournemouth a 1-0 lead. In the seventy-second minute Brett Pitman doubled his, and Bournemouth's, tally to give Bournemouth a 2-0 lead. Late in the game, Kenny Lunt found Marc Pugh, who grabbed a consolation goal for Hereford, in a 2-1 defeat.

Hereford returned to winning ways four days later, at Accrington Stanley, in a 2-1 win. In the thirty-fifth minute Lunt picked out McCallum in the penalty area, who controlled the ball, before striking the Bulls ahead. A miniute into the second half, Accrington were awarded a penalty when the ball struck Valentine on the arm. Michael Symes, stepped up, an brought Stanley level from the spot. With the game heading for a draw, the Bulls stole victory in the third minute of stoppage time. Pugh picked out McCallum at the back post, who had the simple task of tapping the ball home, to score the decisive goal.

Hereford rounded off the month with an impressive victory over already promoted Rochdale. Following a goalless first half, Manset found McCallum who beat the onrushing 'Dale 'keeper, Frank Fielding, to give Hereford a 1-0 lead, after fifty-two minutes. After sixty-one minutes, Valentine was hauled down inside the Rochdale area, giving the referee no choice, but to, award the penalty. Valentine, stepped up to take the penalty himself, which was parried by Fielding, fortunately the rebound fell to Valentine, who made no mistake at the second time of asking.

Gavin McCallum finsihed the month as top goalscorer with three strikes.

May
Hereford's penultimate game of the 2009-10 season was away at Dagenham & Redbridge. Paul Benson gave the Daggers the lead after thrity-five minutes. On the sixty-second minute Ryan Green's cross found Pugh whose jabbed the Bulls level from close range. With the game heading for a draw, a superb Graham Montgomery volley grabbed a late win for Dagenham.

Hereford ended the season with a convincing 3-0 victory over play-off bound Rotherham United. It would be Graham Turner's final game as both Manager, and Chairman. After just four minutes, Pugh burst through the Rotherham defense before teeing up Mathieu Manset, who made no mistake to give the Bulls an early lead. Things got better on the twenty-first minute, Kenny Lunt producing an inch-perfect cross for Darren Jones, whose headed finish doubled the Bulls lead. Hereford had to wait until the ninetieth minute for their third goal. Marc Pugh skipped past two Rotherham players before unleashing a fine twenty yard strike.

Pugh finished, the short month, top scorer with two strikes.

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