Saturday, August 19, 2000

RETURNING Jamie Pitman was Hereford's two-goal hero as the Bulls kicked off their Nationwide Conference season with a win at Edgar Street on Saturday.

The diminutive midfielder, back after four season away at Yeovil and then Woking, built on his excellent pre-season with a hard-working display which brought him strikes after 28 and 87 minutes.

The only blot on his performance was a 59th minute yellow card for a late challenge on Justin Gregory but this arose more from enthusiasm than any particular malevolence.

While Pitman was the star of the show, the United fans in the rather disappointing crowd of 1,910 will have been much encouraged by the Bulls overall display against some physically very strong opposition which at various times featured five strikers - Ken Charlery, Lenny Piper, Christian Lee, Rocky Baptiste and Joff Vansittart - who have all made at impact at League or Conference level.

Despite all this striking talent, all that the visitors had to show for their efforts was a solitary strike by Lee three minutes into injury time as the efforts of Andy Tretton, Tony James and skipper Ian Wright allowed Matt Baker a relatively quiet afternoon in the Bulls' goal.

Farnborough had the bigger part of the early pressure and United's 28th minute opener came from a breakaway move.

Paul Parry got away on the right and his deep centre caused a mix-up between Farnborough defender Gary Holloway and ex-Bulls goalkeeper Tony Pennock. The ball bounced towards goal off Holloway's head and Pitman was perfectly placed to force the ball over the line.

The hard-working Steve Guinan was denied a debut goal by Pennock's fine diving save six minutes later and although Boro showed some flashes of attacking flair, it was Hereford who came closest to scoring again when Michael Rose sent in a dipping cross shot.

Substitute Vansittart got in a couple of dangerous efforts as Farnborough boss Graham Westley shuffled his forwards but it was Hereford who found the net again.

Matt Clarke surged powerfully out of defence and slipped the ball to substitute Rob Purdie who produced an excellent low cross which Pitman steered into the net from close range.

Lee's goal reduced the arrears but it was too late to produce a revival.