Tuesday, September 23, 2003

FORMER Wales international Ryan Green struck in the third minute of stoppage-time to fire table-topping Hereford United to a dramatic 2-1 win last night over Telford United at Edgar Street in the Nationwide Conference.

The right-back ran on to an audacious chip from the hard-working Jamie Pitman to hammer a fierce left-foot volley past former United 'keeper Chris Mackenzie from close-range.

Green's last-gasp winner sparked jubilant celebrations in the 4,190-strong crowd and he could not have chosen a better time to score his first goal in senior football, which kept United in top spot.

He said: "I knew the match was entering the last few seconds and I took a gamble to get into the box. My dad, mum and grandpa have come here tonight and it's great to have scored in front of them."

Leading scorer Steve Guinan powerfully headed home Michael Rose's deep cross in the sixth minute and Hereford had enough chances to have wrapped up the game by half-time, ex-Telford striker David Brown, Danny Williams and Guinan all missing decent opportunities.

But the Bucks controlled much of the second half and in the 83rd minute, a long-range shot from former Manchester City midfielder Fitzroy Simpson took a wicked deflection and looped nicely for the experienced Lee Mills to head past Matt Baker from close-range.

Baker came to Hereford's rescue in the first half, making a crucial block from former United striker John Grant after just 82 seconds and then diving full-length to keep out a low drive from the lively forward before the break.

Two minutes into the second half Richard Teesdale's slip let in Mills, but Baker spread himself well to block the shot with his body.

Hereford boss Graham Turner said: "We kept going until the end and it was a confident passing move which led to our winning goal."

Hereford: Baker 8, Green 7, Rose 6, Pitman 7, Teesdale 6, James 7, Williams 6, Smith 6, Guinan 7, Brown 6 (Carey-Bertram 79), Parry 6. Subs (not used): King, Scott, Craven, Moon.

Attendance: 4,190.