Saturday, January 18, 2003

Hereford United maintained their quest for a play-off spot with a convincing 3-0 victory over struggling Gravesend & Northfleet in an entertaining Nationwide Conference clash at Edgar Street on Saturday.

Man-of-the-moment Paul Parry inspired the Bulls to their sixth win in seven Conference outings, propelling Hereford to fifth position in the table, with two goals in three minutes after half-time.

Parry, who is being closely tracked by Third Division Bristol Rovers, gave Hereford a dream start to the second-half, scoring the opening goal after just 36 seconds.

Hereford's early arrival at the start of the second period to warm up paid dividends when Michael Rose and John Grant linked up well to find Parry in space and the Welshman drilled a low, 25-yard shot past Jamie Turner.

The Wales semi-pro international doubled Hereford's lead three minutes later, racing onto a weak back-pass from substitute Aaron Barnett before driving the ball beyond Turner.

Midfielder Rob Sawyers rounded off the scoring with his maiden goal for the club in the second minute of stoppage time, rifling the ball home from close range following excellent work by Parry and then Ben Smith.

Previously, Sawyers had almost opened his account in stoppage time at the end of the first half, but his effort struck the base of a post.

The lively Rob Purdie was a constant threat to the visiting defence, while Jay Lovett, who has arrived on a month's loan from Brentford, made a steady debut at right-back.

United looked the much stronger team after a scrappy 15-minute opening period in which both clubs could have scored. Parry should have broken the deadlock in the second minute when he chased a long ball from Michael Rose and flicked it past the out-rushing Turner, only to pull his shot wide.

However, the physical and direct Gravesend side came back strongly and, within a minute, striker Liam Hatch blazed a shot against the crossbar.

Smith went agonisingly close for Hereford in the 20th minute, poking Parry's through ball inches wide, and Purdie was twice denied by Turner.

Matt Baker had to be alert to block shots from Louie Evans and then Tostao Kwashi as the Kent club threatened United twice in the 56th minute.