Saturday, November 29, 2003

Hereford United completed their first double of the season and strengthened their grip on second place in the Nationwide Conference with a comfortable win over struggling Farnborough.

Goals from Ben Smith and Jamie Pitman in the second half at Edgar Street helped the Bulls complete an excellent week, following their 7-1 win against Halifax, as they battled back from the previous Saturday's disappointment against Shrewsbury.

"We knew it wouldn't be easy and we had to be patient," said Hereford director of football Graham Turner.

"But we got two good goals and the players have recovered in fine style from the defeat at Shrewsbury."

United made one change from the Halifax match, with Richard Teesdale taking over from the suspended Tamika Mkandawire at the heart of the defence.

And youngster Teesdale played his part, alongside skipper Tony James, in subduing experienced visiting striker Howard Forinton.

The Bulls were on the attack from the start and almost grabbed the lead in the second minute.

Steve Guinan released Paul Parry on the left and the winger's cross was hammered just the wrong side of the post by Rob Purdie.

Paul Harkness fired just wide at the other end as Farnborough launched a quick raid but chances at each end were at a premium with much of the play confined to midfield.

Thrashed

Smith fired wide from the edge of the area and James headed a Danny Williams cross just over when United did get within range.

But the best effort of the half came in injury time when Pitman thrashed a fierce 30-yarder just over the angle of post and bar.

At the start of the second period, Matt Baker was quickly off his line to foil Forinton but Hereford continued to have the better of play and were celebrating what they thought was the first goal on 64 minutes.

Williams let fly from the edge of the area and the ball bounced off substitute David Brown and into the net, only for Worcester referee Steve Dorr to disallow it for offside.

But, five minutes later, the Bulls were legitimately in front. James played a fine pass to release Parry down the left and, when his cross was half cleared, Smith was waiting to clip the ball neatly into the corner of the net.

It was the midfielder's 12th goal of the season.

Baker preserved United's lead with a fine double save from Ryan Semple and Barrington Belgrave as bottom club Farnborough kept persevering but a minute from time Hereford clinched the win with a deserved second goal.

Parry raced into the penalty area and his shot beat Farnborough goalkeeper Mark Osborn but came back off the woodwork only as far as Pitman who was perfectly placed to hit home his first goal of the season.