Tuesday, August 12, 2003

Hereford United romped to a 5-1 win over Forest Green Rovers last night with a stunning performance in the Nationwide Conference at Edgar Street.

The Bulls ripped apart their Gloucestershire rivals with a dazzling display, which had Rovers manager Colin Addison paying tribute to his former club.

Addison said: "Hereford fully deserved their victory with an outstanding display and some wonderful goals. They have played magnificently and are a team to be reckoned with this season."

Rob Purdie and Steve Guinan both bagged braces, while it was a memorable evening for Danny Carey-Bertram who came off the bench to score his maiden senior goal for the Bulls with his first touch.

Hereford skipper Tony James rattled the inside of a post with a 40-yard rocket, Carey-Bertram had another effort ruled out for off-side and Danny Williams was foiled at point-blank range by Rovers' goalkeeper Steve Perrin.

The only disappointment for United was the visitors' surprise 41st minute equaliser from ex-Hereford forward Neil Grayson whose weak effort squirmed past Matt Baker.

United opened the scoring in the 17th minute when the ball cannoned off the referee for Williams who threaded a defence-splitting pass to Parry. Parry's low effort was pushed out by Perrin and Guinan tapped in the rebound.

Hereford continued to dominate and Williams had an effort ruled out for off-side before the visitors drew level from a rare attack.

The Bulls regained the lead on the stroke of half time when a Hereford corner was only half cleared and Jamie Pitman's high through ball found Purdie who turned his marker superbly and rifled a half-volley into the top corner.

Purdie stretched Hereford's lead with the third goal on 54 minutes when he raced on to Ben Smith's clever through ball and then Guinan notched his second in the 69th minute, stretching to volley in Purdie's cross.

Hereford completed the rout 13 minutes from time after Smith won a challenge on the edge of the area and slipped the ball to Carey-Bertram who slotted it through the legs of Perrin.

United boss Graham Turner said: "We were full of running, passing and ideas, and it was a terrific performance."

Hereford: Baker 5, Green 7, Rose 7, Pitman 7, Tretton 8, James 8, Williams 8, Smith 8, Guinan 8 (Carey-Bertram 75), Purdie 9, Parry 7. Subs (not used): Craven, Scott, Teesdale, Sawyers. Attendance: 3,195.