Saturday, February 14, 2004

Hereford United got their Nationwide Conference promotion bid back on track after the previous week's disppointment against Burton Albion with a five-goal display at Stonebridge Road.

But the Bulls' delight at their fourth away haul of five goals or more this season was tempered by worries over an injury to midfielder Ben Smith which threatens to rule him out of much of the run-in.

Smith had to be helped off in the 12th minute after an apparently innocuous challenge left him clutching his shoulder.

The agony on his face was such as he slowly left the field that it came as no surprise to hear that he had once again dislocated the shoulder he put out in last pre-season in a friendly at Bromsgrove Rovers.

On that occasion, he was ruled out for three months.

United, however, refused to be thrown out of their stride by the setback and took the lead from the free-kick awarded.

Michael Rose's powerful drive from 25 yards defeated the dive of Paul Wilkerson in the home goal but came back off the inside of the upright as far as David Brown, who had little trouble firing into the empty net.

This was already the third goal of a pulsating opening as Ben Abbey had been the beneficiary of some indecisive defending as he nipped in to net after just three minutes.

United were back on terms within 60 seconds, however, as Wilkerson hauled down Rob Purdie as he raced into the penalty area and Tony James blasted the penalty into the net.

Hereford continued to push forward after Brown's goal and the former Telford striker played his part in the next strike, slipping the ball through to Steve Guinan who showed exquisite skills to outwit his marker and fire home.

Although Abbey pulled a goal back eight minutes before the break, United were unlucky to be denied a further chance to extend the margin just afterwards when Purdie was clearly pulled down again, this time by Lee Shearer, as he raced into the area. Referee Patrick Miller inexplicably booked Purdie for diving, much to the amazement of the visiting fans.

The pace of the game slackened somewhat after the break but it was Hereford who produced the quality football, gaining their reward in the 67th minute when Brown scored his second of the game, the ball trickling into the net off a defender.

The Bulls' overwhelming superiority was confirmed in the final minute when Purdie sliced through the home defence before crossing for Brown. Although his shot was blocked, the ball fell kindly for Guinan to notch his 21st goal of the season.