Half-time: Hereford United 0 Shrewsbury Town 2 in League 2 derby at Edgar Street (From Hereford Times)

Half-time: Hereford United 0 Shrewsbury Town 2 in League 2 derby at Edgar Street

1:49pm Saturday 28th January 2012 in Reports By Richard Prime

ALTHOUGH Hereford had the better of possession, goals from Terry Gornell and James Collins gave Shrewsbury a comfortable half-time cushion.

Hereford forced an early corner after Yoann Arquin made ground on the right.

Joe Colbeck’s poorly struck cross was eventually fired yards wide by Nicky Featherstone.

Shrewsbury responded with a pacy attack which found Terry Gornell shooting just wide of Adam Bartlett’s goal.

Hereford looked promising in the early stages and had a shout for a penalty turned down when Ian Sharps crash-tackled Featherstone.

Hereford continued to have the better of the early play but Bartlett had to come swiftly off his line to clear as James Collins made a break.

The first Shrewsbury corner arrived on 15 minutes and it brought the first goal Matt Richards’ cross was initially cleared after a bout of head tennis but only as far as Joe Jacobson whose cross was headed in by Gornell.

Colbeck’s attempt at an immediate response flew harmlessly wide.

But Delroy Facey should have done better shortly afterwards when Colbeck’s cross picked him out.

The former Lincoln City man directed his header just the wrong side of an upright.

Shrewsbury keeper Chris Neal was fortunate to find a 26th minute Will Evans drive fly straight into his arms.

But Shrewsbury extended their lead on 28 minutes when a ball from Richards found Collins in the clear and the striker rifled a 20-yard drive past Bartlett and into the corner of the net.

Hereford were still unable to make the most of some good possession and Harry Pell curled a 35th-minute effort a long way wide.

An Evans shot from the edge of the area was closer but still far enough wide not to inconvenience Neal.

But only excellent work by Bartlett, who came out bravely to dive at the feet of Gornell, prevented a third Hereford goal.

Just before the break, Joe Jacobson appeared fortunate to escape without punishment when seeming to handle in the penalty area.