Saturday, October 25, 2003

Hereford will visit Peterborough United after Steve Guinan's hat-trick helped the Bulls steamroller FA Cup fourth qualifying round opponents Harrow.

When the lively Robert Charles thudded a shot against Matt Baker's right-hand upright with just 34 seconds played, it looked as if Hereford might be in for a tough afternoon.

But although Harrow caused some problems in the first half, particularly through Charles and the equally threatening Fabio Valenti, Hereford's superior fitness and finishing eventually led them to a comfortable win.

Hereford needed a little luck to get underway on five minute when Guinan's shot from a Danny Williams cross carried too much pace for home goalkeeper James Jackson and the ball squirmed through and into the net.

Jackson redeemed himself just after with a diving save from another Guinan header, but at the other end Baker had to be at his best to keep out another Charles shot after a slip by Richard Teesdale.

But after Harrow had enjoyed a substantial amount of possession, Hereford broke clear to add a second two minutes before the interval with the best goal of the game.

David Brown and Jamie Pitman worked the ball to Williams on the right and his cross was powered home by Guinan's unstoppable header.

Harrow survived a penalty appeal early in the second period after Guinan's shot appeared to strike Richard Goddard's elbow and the Bulls had to wait until the 64th minute to extend their lead.

A bobbling ball allowed Brown to demonstrate his predatory instincts and the former Telford man neatly clipped his shot over Jackson and into the net.

Five minutes later, Williams was the provider again, swinging in a corner which saw Ben Smith ghost in to head powerfully home.

Guinan then volleyed just wide before substitute Abdulai Yoki enjoyed his own personal moment of glory, guiding a shot into the corner of the net with his first touch after coming on as substitute for Stuart Elliott.

Smith saw a header saved and drove a 45-yarder wide and Jackson brilliantly tipped over a Danny Carey-Bertram shot before the fifth goal arrived five minutes from time.

Guinan arrived at the far post to meet perfectly Michael Rose's corner and head powerfully into the back of the net.

But just after this, Paul Parry had to be stretchered to the dressing room after his ankle was injured as his shot was blocked.

The game, however, ended on an upbeat note when Guinan slipped the ball through for Carey-Bertram to slip home the sixth.

"Overall when you look at the scoreline it was comfortable," said Guinan.

"But in the first half I'd probably say they had the better of the play.

"The pitch was all churned up. Big lumps and holes. It brought us down to a level."