Monday, February 27, 2006

Hereford United's teenage strike sensations struck again last night to lift them back into second place in the Nationwide Conference.

Andy Williams and Stuart Fleetwood were both on target in a 2-0 win over fellow promotion-chasers Stevenage Borough at Edgar Street.

With the Sky television cameras in attendance, Graham Turner's Bulls clinically saw off the side that knocked them out of the Conference play-offs last season.

Homegrown Williams, 19, displayed perfect timing to bag a well-taken opener right on half-time, volleying home Dean Beckwith's header from an Andy Ferrell free-kick.

And fellow 19-year-old Fleetwood, a recent free transfer from Cardiff City, turned his marker onto Craig Stanley's pass just six minutes into the second period to fire in the second goal.

Any hopes Stevenage boss Graham Westley harboured of a revival were virtually extinguished in the last 20 minutes when his physical side paid the penalty.

They lost left-back Justin Gregory to a second yellow card for a foul on lively Bulls midfielder Daryl Taylor after being booked for unsporting behaviour 17 minutes previously.

The visitors' main threat was wide-man George Boyd, who forced two good saves out of 'keeper Wayne Brown, while Jefferson Louis hit the post not long after Fleetwood's strike.

Although leaders Accrington Stanley appear to be running away with the title, rampant Hereford have now gone 12 league games unbeaten.

They pushed Halifax Town, who won at the weekend, back down to third on goal difference.

Though the gap between Accrington and the Bulls is a hefty 13 points, the Lancashire championship favourites are due a shaky spell and they have to visit Edgar Street on March 11.

The emergence of Williams and Fleetwood has proved particularly vital for United boss Turner with his fellow strikers struggling for fitness.

Fleetwood has settled at his new club rapidly to score in the last three league games, while county lad Williams already has seven Conference goals to his credit.

There was a sore spot for Hereford last night though as midfielder Nicky Nicolau went off with an early injury.

HEREFORD: Brown; Green, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Travis; Taylor (Carey-Bertram 88), Ferrell, Stanley, Nicolau (Purdie 17); Fleetwood (Gwynne 90), Williams. Subs not used: Mawson, Halliday.

ATTENDANCE: 2,394.