Friday, December 19, 2003

PAUL Parry fired what might prove a final salute to his Hereford United fans in the Bulls' 7-1 Conference win at Forest Green last night.

With Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence in the crowd, Parry picked the perfect time to hammer his first ever hat-trick for United, who took their goal tally to 57 in 23 games.

It was scintillating stuff from Hereford, particularly in the first-half when some of the pace and power of their football was simply breathtaking.

Hereford, who added former Chester striker Mark Beesley to their squad before the game, were quickly into their stride and took the lead with just 13 minutes played following a superb move.

The instigator, as with much of the first-half play, was Ryan Green who fed Danny Williams on the right. His cross fizzed through the goalmouth to Parry who made no mistake from 10 yards.

Twelve minutes later, Rob Purdie showed good pace as he surged forward before slipping the ball to Parry who produced another excellent finish.

On 34 minutes, more good work by Green set up a shooting opportunity for Ben Smith and his effort, while not perfectly hit, bobbled past Steve Perrin and into the corner of the net.

Just four minutes on and it was 4-0 when Smith released Purdie and he raced forward to dink the neatest of shots past Perrin and into the net.

Sam Bowen, on loan at Forest Green from Westfields, fired a shot at Matt Baker as the home side tried to salvage something after the break but Hereford's defence held firm and the Bulls increased their lead on 57 minutes.

A quickly taken Jamie Pitman free-lick allowed Parry to beat Perrin from close range.

Hereford's half-dozen arrived just two minutes later when Perrin spilled a Green free-kick at Smith's feet and the midfielder fired in his 13th Conference goal of the season from close range.

When Smith's shot balloned into the air off a defender Pitman nipped in to add Hereford's seventh and there just remained time for Damon Searle to gain some consolation for the home side from a depressing evening six minutes from time.

HEREFORD: Baker 7, Green 8, James 7 (Teesdale, 66 min, 6), Uddin 7, Rose 7, Williams 7 (Craven 77 min), Pitman 8, Smith 8 (King 83 min), PARRY 9, Purdie 8, Brown 7. Subs not used: Scott, Carey-Bertram. Attendance: 1,576