CAM THE KING FOR LAKELAND
‘Massive’ point for Linnets
CAMERON Hargreaves’ late goal saw King’s Lynn grab a vital draw at Edgar Street in their battle to stay up.
Hereford were cruising at half-time and had a great chance to go 3-0 up when they were awarded a penalty five minutes into the second half.
However, Paul Jones saved Yusifu Ceesay’s spotkick. Tom Hughes pulled a goal back for the away side on the hour mark before Hargreaves levelled.
“In the first half, we were miles off it and deservedly were behind,” said King’s Lynn manager Adam Lakeland. “We had to have a lot of honesty at half-time and demand more of the players. In the second half, I thought we came out and showed tremendous resilience, grit and character.
“We rode our luck immensely at times – Paul Jones was outstanding and made two or three massive saves. But you never know in a game of football: 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline if you don’t get that third goal and kill a team off.
“We sensed there might be something there for us today. It could be a massive point for us given.”
The Bulls started on the front foot and Lynn defender Kyle McFadden made a block to deny Tom Pugh before Ceesay shot wide.
Hereford did take the lead in the 25th minute when Tope Obadeyi struck a crisp low shot home. And the Bulls doubled their lead four minutes later thanks to Pugh’s delightful curled effort. King’s Lynn’s woes were deepened when McFadden was forced off with an injury in the 34th minute following a collision.
In the 50th minute, referee Constantine Hatzidakis pointed to the penalty spot after Joshua Coulson was adjudged to have blocked Pugh’s free-kick with his hand. However, Jones made a great save to deny Ceesay. The visitors’ first effort at goal wasn’t until the 55th minute when Owen Devenport shot wide. However, Lakeland’s side were growing into the game and pulled one back when Hughes smashed the ball home at the far post.
Hereford had a great chance to restore their twogoal lead in the 77th minute when Tope Obadeyi was clean through. However, Jones made an excellent save with his feet.
Jones made another great stop to deny Andy Williams, with Ceesay dragging the follow-up wide. Hargreaves had the final say. Hereford boss Paul Caddis said: “We’re disappointed having been 2-0 up and not coming away with all three points. I think in the first half, we were excellent.
“In the second half, I don’t think we were poor – they didn’t have many chances and the key moments were the missed penalty and chances.” STAR MAN: Paul Jones (King’s Lynn) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★