Full-time: Braintree Town 0 Hereford United 2 (From Hereford Times)

6:21pm

GOALS by Chris Sharp and Marley Watkins kept the Bulls unbeaten in 2013.
With Andy Corbett recalled by Burton, Andy Gallinagh returned to the right-back spot for the first time this year.
Otherwise, there were no changes to the side which drew with Southport.
Despite fears throughout the week, the pitch appeared, at least, not to be as bad as expected.
An excellent run by Watkins down the right forced the first corner.
But pushing by Luke Graham saw a free-kick awarded.
Meanwhile Ryan Bowman was already struggling after getting an early whack at the top of his right thigh.
But that didn’t stop him getting involved in the move which should have brought the first goal.
He took a pass from Watkins and delivered a cross into the area but Sharp completely miskicked when a goal seemed the likely outcome.
Fine work by Sam Clucas on the left brought a cross which Josh O’Keefe headed weakly at keeper Nathan McDonald.
Then, on 13 minutes, Clucas was brought down in the area but referee Ford waved away appeals for a penalty as the ball dribbled wide of the goal.
Clucas recovered after treatment and wass involved in the next Bulls raid, driving a shot high over from 30 yards.
Dan Hanford, who had already found himself on the deck after two clearances, sliced a fly-hacked goal-kick out of play as the home side staged an attack.
On 19 minutes, Hereford took the lead with an excellent goal from Sharp.
The striker sped on to a pass from Bowman, outpacing the home defence before slipping a shot past McDonald for his first Hereford goal.
Hereford were almost two up on 23 minutes when a Clucas cross clips off Dean Wells and missed the far post by inches.
But a poor clearance by Stefan Stam resulted in the ball reaching Matt Paine 20 yards out and his volley was narrowly wide.
Dan Walker tried his luck from distance but was well off target for the home side.
Gallinagh did enough to knock Dan Holman off balance as the home striker looked for some space in the area.
On 34 minutes, Hereford gained another corner but Clucas’ cross was easily cleared.
Hereford were still having the lion’s share of possession and a long throw from James Musa almost brought a second goal as McDonald completely missed the ball in the six-yard box.
Unfortunately, so did Josh O’Keefe and the chance was gone.
Five minutes before the break, Bowman looked fortunate to receive only a yellow card after shoving Wells over in apparent retaliation to some misdemeanour.
Hanford was also booked for dissent in the same incident.
Bowman was replaced by Marlin Jackson shortly afterwards.
The substitute almost made an immediate impact after a speedy counterattack by Watkins and Sharp but dragged his shot across goal and wide.
Braintree made a lively start to the second period with James Mulley getting past Gallinagh and around the back of the Hereford defence.
O’Keefe made the clearance before two corners put the Bulls under pressure again.
A third quickly followed after a desperate clearance from Luke Graham.
Alan Massey got a header to the latest effort but only found the arms of Hanford.
Watkins struck back by winning a corner at the other end.
Jackson met Clucas’ cross but headed over the bar.
Clucas missed a great chance to extend the lead, firing straight at McDonald when Sharp sets him clear.
Clucas had the ball in the net on 57 minutes only for a linesman to decide the ball had gone out some seconds before.
But the second goal was delayed only by seconds as a misplaced pass set Jackson clear. His shot was beaten out by McDonald but Watkins volleyed the rebound into the net.
As Braintree tried to hit back, Hanford pulled off a flying save to deny Walker with Mulley drilling the rebound against the woodwork.
Braintree continued to press and the Hereford defence came under a lot of pressure. There was a let-off when Stam sliced a clearance just over his own bar and Ryan Peters headed the corner wide.
The balance of play is now with the home side and Holman lashed a shot just over the bar.
Hereford seemed content to hold on to their lead but an O’Keefe lob from 50 yards forced a save from the back-pedalling McDonald.
Braintree had a couple more chances in the closing stages but the Bulls held on for a welcome win.
Hereford: Hanford; Gallinagh, Stam, Graham, Musa; Watkins, James, O’Keefe, Clucas; Sharp (McDonald 80), Bowman (Jackson 44). Subs not used: Heath, Clist, Smikle.
Braintree: McDonald; 4-4-2: Peters, Wells,Massey, Habergham; Mulley, Davis (Wickham 73), Paine (Sparkes 84), Walker (Daley 73); Holman, Marks. Subs not used: Symons, Watts.
Referee: Declan Ford (Lincolnshire).
Attendance: 658.
Goals: Sharp, 20 min, 0-1; Watkins, 58 min, 0-2.
Yellow cards: Hereford – Bowman, 40 min, retaliation; Hanford, dissent , 42 min; McDonald, foul, 81 min; Braintree – Massey, foul, 72 min.

4:48pm

Hereford seem content to hold on to their lead but an O’Keefe put from 50 yards forces a save from the back-pedalling McDonald.

4:40pm

The balance of play is now with the home side and Holman lashes a shot just over the bar.

4:33pm

Braintree continue to press and the Hereford defence comes under a lot of pressure. There’s a let-ff when Stam slices a clearance just over his own bar and Ryan Peters heads the corner wide.

4:21pm

As Braintree try to hit back, Hanford pulls off a flying save to deny Walker with Mulley drilling the rebound against the woodwork.

4:10pm

Clucas misses a great chance to extend the lead, firing straight at McDonald when Sharp sets him clear.

4:08pm

Watkins strikes back by winning a corner at the other end.
Jackson meets Clucas’ cross but heads over the bar.

4:07pm

Braintree make a lively start to the second period with James Mulley getting past Gallinagh and around the back of the Hereford defence.
O’Keefe makes the clearance before two corners put the Bulls under pressure again.
A third quickly follows after a desperate clearance from Luke Graham.
Alan Massey gets a header to the latest effort but only finds the arms of Hanford.

3:45pm

Bowman was replaced by Marlin Jackson shortly afterwards.

3:40pm

Hereford are still having the lion’s share of possession and a long throw from James Musa almost brings a second goal as McDonald completely misses the ball in the six-yard box.
Unfortunately, so does Josh O’Keefe and the chance is gone.

3:35pm

On 34 minutes, Hereford gain another corner but Clucas’ cross is easily cleared.

3:32pm

Gallinagh does enough to knock Dan Holman off balance as the home striker looks for some space in the area.

3:28pm

But a poor clearance by Stefan Stam results in the ball reaching Matt Paine 20 yards out and his volley is narrowly wide.
Dan Walker tries his luck from distance but is well off target for the home side.

3:26pm

Hereford are almost two up on 23 minutes when a Clucas cross clips off Dean Wells and misses the far post by inches.

3:17pm

Dan Hanford, who had already found himself on the deck after two clearances, slices a fly-hacked goal-kick out of play as the home side stage an attack.

3:14pm

Fine work by Sam Clucas on the left brings a cross which Josh O’Keefe heads weakly at keeper Nathan McDonald.
Then, on 13 minutes, Clucas is brought down in the area but referee Ford waves away appeals for a penalty as the ball dribbles wide of the goal.

3:09pm

An excellent run by Marley Watkins down the right forces the first corner.
But pushing by Luke Graham sees a free-kick awarded.
Meanwhile Ryan Bowman is already struggling after getting an early whack at the top of his right thigh.
That doesn’t stop him getting involved in the move which should have brought the first goal.
He takes a pass from Watkins and delivers a cross into the area but Chris Sharp completely miskicks when a goal seems the likely outcome.

3:05pm

The early indications are that a lot of the game will be played in the air with players getting the ball forward quickly.

2:43pm

WITH Andy Corbett recalled by Burton, Andy Gallinagh returned to the right-back spot for the first time this year.
Otherwise, there were no changes to the side which drew with Southport.
Despite fears throughout the week, the pitch appeared, at least, not to be as bad as expected.
Hereford: Hanford; Gallinagh, Stam, Graham, Musa; Watkins, James, O’Keefe, Clucas; Sharp, Bowman. Subs not used: Heath, Clist, McDonald, Smikle, Jackson.
Braintree: McDonald; 4-4-2: Peters, Wells,Massey, Habergham; Mulley, Davis, Paine, Walker; Holman, Marks. Subs not used: Symons, Sparkes, Daley, Watts, Wickham.
Referee: Declan Ford (Lincolnshire).