Change at the top fails to change luck for Hereford United (From Hereford Times)

Change at the top fails to change luck for Hereford United

3:00pm Saturday 20th March 2010 in Reports

A CHANGE of manager brought no change of luck as far as Hereford United were concerned at Sincil Bank last Friday.

In 18 visits to Lincoln, United have only won on one occasion but they could easily have returned with a second success on balance of play.

With Graham Turner taking up the managerial reins again, at least on a short-term basis, after the departure of John Trewick, Hereford showed plenty of purpose.

But the three shots on target they allowed Lincoln all ended in the back of the net.

Two of the strikes were absolutely unstoppable while the third came after Darren Jones had been left flattened on the ground 20 yards out.

Hereford had looked in control after a scrappy opening but Lincoln scored with their first attack.

David Somma seized on a long punt downfield and held off Daniel Preston rather too easily before powering a shot past Adam Bartlett.

But the goal did not knock Hereford off their stride and the Bulls still looked the more impressive side.

However, Matt Saunders then picked up the ball at least 30 yards out and smashed a wonder strike past Bartlett and into the top corner.

“I don’t suppose he’ll ever hit a shot like that in his life again,” said the Bulls keeper.

“I don’t think I could have done anything about any of the three goals.”

Hereford plugged away and, four minutes before the break, got back into the game with the best constructed goal of the evening.

A deep cross from the impressive James McQuilkin was volleyed into the six-yard box by Ryan Green for Marc Pugh to drive in his eighth goal of the season.

Hereford gained in confidence after the goal and hope remained that they might build on this in the second period.

And, had Leon Constantine put away a great chance which he allowed to be blocked, twice, from inside the six-yard box, then the outcome might have been different.

But, with Jones lying prone, Somma dragged the ball back from the left and Saunders had the relatively simple task of cracking in his second from close range.

Even then, it was Hereford who continued to play the better football but their approach play, as on so many occasions this season, was not matched in the penalty area and Lincoln ended as comfortable winners.

Hereford: Bartlett; Green, Jones, Preston, Valentine; Pugh, McQuilkin, Lunt, McCallum; King (Done, 80 min), Constantine (Done, 80 min); Subs not used: Adamson, Rose, Gwynne, Downing, Sonko.

Lincoln: Burch; Hughton, Swaibu (Hone, 69 min), Pearce (Green, 80 min), Anderson; Kerr, Clarke, Saunders, Lennon; Broughton (Connor, 90 min), Somma. Subs not used: Musselwhite, Reid, Gordon, Gilmour.

Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

Attendance: 6,012.

Goals: Somma, 11 min, 1-0; Saunders, 21 min, 2-0; Pugh, 41 min, 2-1; Saunders, 71 min, 3-1.

Yellow-card: Valentine, 75 min, foul.