Tuesday, March 17, 2004

Hereford United notched their third success of the season over Forest Green Rovers when they retained the Herefordshire Senior Cup with a 3-1 win at Edgar Street last night.

United took the opportunity to rest some of their senior players, making six changes to the starting line-up from Saturday's victory over Accrington Stanley, but their replacements still had sufficient about them to guide the Bulls to a comfortable victory.

Hereford were set on the way to their win with a goal from Scott Willis after just three minutes and although Matt Aubrey levelled for Green, David Brown and Danny Carey-Bertram effectively settled the match with goals in the last six minutes of the first-half.

United made a flying start when Carey-Bertram raced into the penalty area and dragged the ball back for Willis to drive a low shot past Chris Giannangelo.

The next 25 minutes belonged to the visitors with Alex Sykes driving in a number of promising efforts and Steve Cowe forcing a diving save from Ben Scott, making his debut in the home goal.

Unfortunately it was Scott who was at least partly to blame for the equaliser when he was only able to push away a cross from the left and Aubrey, who recently played a few games for Westfields after being released by Bristol City, gleefully smashed the ball home.

This proved the wake-up call that United needed and Brown restored the lead with the goal of the night six minutes before the break when he made space 25 yards out and chipped the ball in off the angle of post and bar.

The third goal, four minutes later, was also well constructed with Carey-Bertram taking an excellent pass from Michael Rose and drilling a shot into the net.

Although a number of substitutions were made at the interval, United maintained their flow and should have added to their tally with Andy Wells, Rob Purdie, and Simon Travis all going close.

HEREFORD: Scott 6, Travis 7, James 7 (Green, 46, 6), Mkandawire 6, Smith 7, Rose 7 (Wells, 46, 6), King 6, H COZIC 8, Willis 6 (D Williams, 46, 6), Brown 7 (Purdie, 46, 7), Carey-Bertram 7 (A Williams 74).

ATTENDANCE: 610.