Saturday, December 17, 2005

Hereford United left the south coast in high spirits after inflicting the Sussex club's heaviest home defeat in 46 years.

The Bulls' progress into the FA Trophy second round was in little doubt after they scored twice in the first 12 minutes and an emphatic second-half display only served to underline their superiority.

Hereford had the ball in the net with just 45 seconds on the clock when Guy Ipoua sent Simon Travis skating down the right to deliver a cross which Adam Stansfield flicked in at the far post.

The former Yeovil man had strayed into an offside position, however, and the effort was ruled out.

The Bulls only had to wait five minutes to open their account, though.

Teenager Andy Williams received the ball wide on the right and showed good control and pace before cutting in to drive a powerful left-foot shot from 20 yards into the net.

On eight minutes, it was almost two when Rob Purdie's cross was headed against the bar by skipper Tamika Mkandawire.

Rampage

But with the Bulls on the rampage, it was only a matter of time before they scored a second and the moment arrived on 12 minutes when Stansfield won the ball in midfield and streaked away from the defence to shoot wide of goalkeeper Craig Stoner.

Three minutes later, good work by Stansfield and Williams seemed to have set up a sure-fire goal for Ipoua but the Cameroonian's drive was blocked on the line by Chris Piper.

Seconds later, from the Rocks' first attack, Dan Beck bundled home Richard Hudson's cross to reduce arrears.

For the remainder of the half, it was an even encounter with just a couple of long-range Ipoua shots threatening to extend the score.

Bognor came close to equalising on 52 minutes when a promising move found Beck directing a powerful header from Hudson's cross towards the bottom corner only for Craig Mawson to fly to his right to palm the ball away for a corner.

But after this, Hereford rarely looked back, although it took a debatable penalty decision to help them to add to their lead.

Kevin Murphy was judged to have handled as he and Ipoua challenged for a Purdie cross and referee Michael Bull pointed to the spot.

Purdie scored at the second attempt after his first effort was struck off for encroachment.

Ipoua lost his marker on the half-way line and streaked away to add number four on 72 minutes.

Two minutes later, Ipoua's shot was blocked by Stoner but only as far as Craig Stanley who had no problem in sliding the ball home.

Another two minutes on, Stoner got himself in terrible difficulties and was robbed by Stanley for Purdie to be able to slot the ball into an empty net.

Substitute Jamie Pitman rounded things off six minutes before full-time, chipping delicately over Stoner from 15 yards after a smart one-two with Stansfield to complete a memorable afternoon.

HEREFORD: Mawson, Travis, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Jeannin, Williams (Evans 84), Stanley, Ferrell, Purdie, Stansfield (Carey-Bertram 84), Ipoua (Pitman 74). Subs not used: Bagnall, James.

ATTENDANCE: 627.