Saturday, August 14, 2004

Hereford United kicked off their Conference campaign with a conclusive 3-1 success over last season's strugglers Farnborough Town.

It was a memorable afternoon for United's two former Premiership stars, goalkeeper Jonathan Gould, who saved a 21st-minute penalty, and substitute Lee Mills as he headed the decisive third goal five minutes from time.

Their contributions delighted new boss Graham Turner and he said: "Our two new signings have done well, one has saved a penalty at a crucial time and Lee Mills has done what he does best and got himself in at the back post.

"It's always a relief to get the first win under your belt, though," he added. "It's never easy."

Apart from his penalty save, Gould had a relatively easy afternoon as Hereford, after surviving an early Farnborough charge, controlled the game.

The Bulls had dominated the initial stages and it was something of a surprise when Farnborough won their penalty as Lloyd Blackman hit the deck under an innocuous Tony James challenge.

Justice seemed to be done, though, when Blackman drove his penalty kick to Gould's right only for the former Scotland keeper to push the ball away.

Hereford continued to look the better side for the first half but only made their superiority count after the interval.

With just a minute played, Jamie Pitman raced into the 18-yard box and was felled by Paul Harkness.

Skipper James showed Farnborough how it should be done with an unstoppable low drive from the spot.

Within five minutes, Hereford were further ahead from the best goal.

Danny Williams and David Brown worked the ball to Craig Stanley on the left where he crossed deep for Simon Travis to dispatch a powerful volley.

Mills headed home Mark Robinson's free-kick to set the seal on his own memorable day but Farnborough grabbed an injury-time consolation through Blackman.

Hereford: Gould 8, *Travis 9, Tretton 7, James 8, Mkandawire 7, Robinson 7, D Williams 7 (Purdie 69, 6), Pitman 8 (Smith 90), Stanley 8, Stansfield 6 (Mills 75), Brown 6. Subs not used: Scott, A Williams.

Farnborough: C Holloway, Rooney, Townsend, Theo (Miles 61), Charles, Mulhern, G Holloway, Harkness (Chaaban 52), Blackman, Taggart, Hughes. Subs not used: Osborn, Allen-Page, Belaid. Attendance: 3,644.