HUISA chairman Dodd backs Hereford United to beat Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup (From Hereford Times)

HUISA chairman Dodd backs Hereford United to beat Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup

1:30pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in Sport

SUPPORTER Keith Dodd thinks Hereford United will edge past rivals Shrewsbury Town in Saturday’s vital FA Cup clash.

“Shrewsbury Town are not pulling up trees at the moment and we have got a good chance of beating them,” said HUISA chairman Dodd.

“I have a feeling that we might just nick the win by the odd goal. We have nothing to lose and we’re desperate to win it from a financial point of view.”

Dodd admits that casual Hereford supporters making a rare trip to Edgar Street might be more familiar with the faces in the Shrewsbury set-up.

Shrewsbury have FIVE former Hereford United players in their ranks and city-born midfielder Aaron Wildig, who grew up supporting the Bulls.

Hereford-based Rob Purdie, Paul Parry, Chris Weale, Darren Jones and Lee Collins are ex-United players in the Shrewsbury squad.

Town also have former United supremo Graham Turner, who still lives in Carey, ex-manager John Trewick and the club’s former fitness coach Tony Ford.

Dodd hopes that Hereford can pull out all the stops to spoil the old boys’ return and achieve a cup upset.

“It will be nice to see Rob Purdie whom we were very sorry to see leave and it will be nice to welcome back Graham,” said Dodd.

“We have got about six players out injured and I think we would have a much better chance to beat Shrewsbury if we were at full strength.

“There’s a big difference from League Two to League One and there’s quite a bit of difference from League One to the Conference.

“Anything is possible in the FA Cup and we are desperate to pick up the prize money.

“Who thought that Yate Town would have won at Newport County in the last round?”

Shrewsbury Town Trust director Ian Jones has been impressed with Purdie, Wildig and Parry.

“Paul Parry looks a player of ability but he has not got the pace of a younger player,” said Jones.

“He’s scored a few goals for us and has played as a striker or a wideman.

“Purdie started off playing full-back but he’s not had a run in the side and now he’s more of a squad player.

“Wildig’s drifted in and out and we know a bit about him because he’s played quite a bit last year. The manager seems to be impressed with him.”

Jones says that Turner will have mixed emotions visiting his cash-strapped former club. “I am sure that Graham Turner will be sad to see the financial problems at Hereford,” said Jones.

“He will have mixed emotions about it - but he also knows how important it is for Shrewsbury to have a cup run.” Jones added: “Everybody at Shrewsbury will be wishing Hereford well for the future and we hope that the worst won’t happen to the club.”