Friday, February 27, 2004

Hereford United closed the gap on Nationwide Conference leaders Chester in majestic style at Victoria Road last night with an incredible 9-0 scoreline.

The Bulls now trail Chester by five points after serving up a memorable show for Sky TV viewers, taking their away goals tally to a remarkable 46 in the process and scoring seven or more in a game for the third time this season.

The win beat the best-ever Conference away win by Sutton United at Gateshead in 1991.

Hereford went in front after 14 minutes when Ryan Green played a neat one-two with Steve Guinan and raced into the penalty area. The full-back was just about to shoot when he was hauled down by Danny Shipp who was immediately shown a red card by Cambridge referee Gary Lewis.

Tony James stepped up to score his sixth goal of the season, maintaining his 100 per cent record from the penalty spot.

Although, outnumbered Dagenham began to cause problems for the Hereford defence with the lively Chris Moore a particular handful, but whenever the home side got within range they found goalkeeper Matt Baker in top form.

On 37 minutes, Hereford finally made their numerical advantage pay when Guinan slipped in David Brown who beat his marker and fired past Tony Roberts at the near post.

Then, in first-half stoppage time, Brown returned the favour for Guinan to slam his 18th Conference goal of the season at the near post.

Just three minutes into the second period Guinan hammered in his second of the game from a Michael Rose free-kick.

Then Brown completed his own personal double, heading in a Rose corner.

With Dagenham reeling Hereford introduced two substitutes, Danny Williams and Mark Beesley, and both got in on the scoring act.

Williams found the net twice, the first a superb curling effort on 81 minutes, and Beasley once, before Brown crowned an excellent evening with his hat-trick two minutes from time.

Hereford: Baker 8, Tretton 8, Mkandawire 7, James 8, Green 8, Pitman 8, (Craven 81), Willis 7, (Williams 73), Purdi 8, Rose 7, Guynan 8, (Beasley 77), H Brown 9. Subs (not used): Scott and Teesdale.