Saturday, September 13, 2003

Hereford United maintained their position at the top of the Nationwide Conference table with a hard-fought 2-1 win over a spirited Scarborough at Edgar Street on Saturday.

United star Paul Parry sealed the triumph 12 minutes from time with a close-range diving header from Danny Williams' superb free-kick to put United 2-0 ahead.

United took the lead in the 28th minute through left-back Michael Rose, whose re-taken 25-yard free-kick soared over the Scarborough defensive wall into the top corner of the net.

But Hereford, perhaps, were not at their best and a gritty Scarborough had the final word in the 88th minute when a left-wing cross from Wales Under-21 international Michael Price was headed home at the back post by Mark Quayle.

The Bulls may have started the season with a goal-glut but it is unrealistic to think that they can roll over sides at will and Scarborough proved a good test for the leaders.

Indeed, the Yorkshire outfit made United work hard for their openings, getting a number of players behind the ball, and they defended reasonably well throughout.

United scorer Rose commented afterwards: "We have not played particularly well today but the main thing was to collect three points.

"I think Scarborough came here to sit back and stand off and they made it difficult for us."

Hereford almost broke the deadlock after just eight minutes when the lunging Rob Purdie narrowly failed to get the final touch to a cross from Williams.

But Hereford should have gone in front in the 18th minute when a cross from the outstanding Jamie Pitman was dummied by Purdie and striker Steve Guinan lashed a shot against the crossbar from close range.

Striker Clayton Donaldson sent a shot wide for Scarborough in the 20th minute as the visitors hit back briefly.

And then United took the lead eight minutes later, Rose rifling home a free-kick after Mark Hotte was booked for encroachment in blocking the defender's initial strike.

United could have doubled their advantage in the 61st minute after the influential Pitman drove in a dangerous cross which just evaded the sliding boot of Guinan.

Pitman was at the heart of another United attack within four minutes when his right wing cross was met with a fine volley by Purdie only for Scarborough goalkeeper Leigh Walker to pull off a brilliant reflex save.

Parry put the game safe with a close-range diving header before substitute David Brown saw his shot well saved by stand-in goalkeeper Walker.

The Bulls were given a few anxious minutes near the finish when the unmarked Quayle reduced the deficit, but it was merely a consolation goal for Scarborough.

"It wasn't as fluid as we have been in previous weeks but a win is a win," added United defender Andy Tretton.

"Maybe it was a bit of a reality check because we are not going to be scoring three or four goals every week. Scarborough set out a game plan putting eight or nine players behind the ball which was a testiment to how we have been playing.

"The first half was a little bit scrappy but we managed to score a tremendous free-kick through Michael Rose."