Once again Hereford United have decided to charge higher than usual prices for a Cup game. This time it is the FA Trophy Cup-tie next Saturday against Hyde United.
According to the Official Hyde United Website, Hereford are set to charge the same prices for this game as for the LDV game against Wrexham last Tuesday.
Admission Prices:
Seats £13..(Concessions £11)
Standing £11..(Concessions £7)
As with all Cup games the prices are agreed between the two teams but to charge Concessions £11 for a seat is probably one of the highest charges in the Conference.
Families with several children will be put off coming to Edgar Street. It will cost 2 adults and 3 children £59 to sit and watch this game.
It is not too late for Hereford United to look at this pricing policy and lower this Concession charge.
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Monday, January 31, 2005
Concessions to be ripped off again at Edgar Street
Former Bull moves to Kiddy
Bertrand Cozic has joined Kidderminster from Northampton on a free transfer. The 26 year-old Frenchmam spent a spell at Edgar Street last season.
Cozic was with Cheltenham after being spotted by Bobby Gould but only managed seven games before joining Hereford. After being released by Graham Turner he joined Northampton last summer and made 17 appearances for the Cobblers.
He made three appearances for the Bulls including his debut which was against Aldershot last April.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Brown hits a scorcher
The following report from Aldershot appears in this morning's Daily Telegraph.
David Brown came off the bench to hit a scorcher from 25 yards yesterday to complete Hereford's recovery from a run of three successive defeats that threatened their chances of reaching the Nationwide Conference play-offs for the second year running.
Hereford moved up five places to sixth with their 2-0 win at Aldershot, who included new signing Tarkan Mustafa at right-back.
The goal by the former Manchester United trainee that was delivered with all the power that Wayne Rooney mustered with his volley against Middlesbrough 24 hours earlier, came in added time. "We should have sewn it up earlier," admitted Hereford's manager, Graham Turner.
Terry Brown, Aldershot's manager, could only envy the match-clinching strike after seeing last week's hat-trick scorer, Jonny Dixon, have his loan spell abruptly terminated by Wycombe.
"Hereford's bench included someone like David Brown, who could finish with a type of quality goal he scored," lamented Brown, "whereas I looked at my bench and there was nothing there."
Aldershot's woes were compounded with defender Brett Johnson requiring a hospital visit after damaging the base of his spine in his attempt to prevent Danny Carey-Bertram scoring Hereford's opening goal from Rob Perdie's low cross.
The Times also has a report:
IF ANY OPPONENTS WERE guaranteed to rouse Hereford United out of the trough into which their Nationwide Conference campaign was sinking, it was Aldershot Town. Hereford's victory yesterday ended a run of three defeats, broke a barren scoring sequence away from home that stretched back to November and hoisted them five places from eleventh to sixth in a congested table.
Hereford still smart at their elimination at Aldershot's hands from the promotion play-off semi-finals last season in a penalty shoot-out at Edgar Street, despite exerting a superiority in league matches that now stretches to four wins in their four meetings. Partly as a consequence, the fixture has developed a highly-charged reputation that meant Hampshire Police insisted on its being switched from Saturday because of the demands of the Southampton versus Portsmouth FA Cup tie.
If there were any consolation for Aldershot, it was that the crowd of 3,799 at the Recreation Ground was their best of the season, but their defeat means that in third place they can now feel the hot breath of the pack on their necks. Terry Brown, their manager, knows he has to rectify swiftly the shortcomings exposed in his attack that were heightened by Wycombe Wanderers' recall of Jonny Dixon, who scored a hat-trick in Aldershot's victory away to Gravesend and Northfleet in their previous match.
"What encapsulated the difference between the sides was that they were able to bring a player of the quality of David Brown off the bench," he said. "I looked at my bench and I had nothing to help us score a goal. It's in that department that we had the biggest blows. We lost Jonny with a day's notice, lost Dwain Clarke (with an injury) and Tim Sills was unable to train for a week (because of a virus). It was a big ask to play a team of the calibre of Hereford."
Neither side came close to making the breakthrough in the first half, but, as Aldershot pressed in a bright start to the second, they were caught with an incisive counter-attack. Craig Stanley lofted a pass down the left, Rob Purdie ran on and crossed, with Danny Carey-Bertram claiming the final touch as Brett Johnson tried to clear and played the ball on to him.
David Brown finished off Aldershot in stoppage time with a sumptuous drive from the edge of the penalty area. "We haven't been playing as badly as it seems and coped with most things today," Graham Turner, the Hereford manager, said. "We made a decision to go with more mobility and pace. What we missed out on in height and power we made up for with that mobility and caused them problems."
The Aldershot fans went very quite
Two good teams battled it out at the Rec, but the better one scored twice and the other didn't.
Although totally outnumbered there was as much noise from the five hundred Hereford United supporters as the three thousand odd Shots fans for much of the game. And when David Brown's goal hit the back of the net Aldershot knew they were defeated and their fans started leaving the ground in droves.
The Southern Counties Radio presenters' summing-up at the end of the game gave a flavour of the proceedings.
"You can see how much (this win) means to the Hereford United players and their supporters. The players have gone across to the supporters on the right hand side. They are punching the air with jubilation, you would think they had won a trophy today.
"They have managed to arrest a run of three league defeats. They are back to winning ways. Aldershot's winning run has come to an end.
"We have seen a very good Hereford side here today. Very strong at the back, very solid in the middle of the park and the two strikers in Rob Purdie and Danny Carey-Bertram. And then they've got a striker like David Brown who they can bring on and score a great goal."
Brown's stunner sinks the Shots
Hereford United gained a vital victory against fellow play off hopefulls Aldershot Town this afternoon, at the Recreation Ground. Two second half goals sealed a 2-0 victory, which sees United move back up the table into 6th position, but only two points away from second place.
The result may seem more suprising not only because of the contrasting recent form of the two sides, but Hereford had a few first team regulars missing through injury. Adam Stansfield and Lee Mills were missing from the attack, and David Brown was only named amongst the subs. Ryan Green was out injured with a hamstring problem and Andy Tretton was fit enough for the bench. Rob Purdie was named in the attack and Danny Williams and Joe Anyinsah were back in a four man midfield.
The first half failed to create any real clear cut chances as both sides managed to cancel each other out. The Bulls started the stronger, but it took a diving header by Tamika Mkandawire to deny Tim Sills getting on the end of a dangerous right wing cross. Danny Carey-Bertram managed to disposses Brett Johnson and play Anyinsah away on the right, but his well driven cross flew through the penatly area without anyone getting a vital touch.
Jon Challinor's shot hit Mkandawire, but it fell kindly to Nick Crittenden twelve yards out, but he managed to shoot over the bar. Anyinsah continued to cause the Shots defence all sorts of problems, and after a good run and a one-two with Carey-Bertram it took a defender on the line to head his goal bound effort out for a corner. Hereford survived a nervy scramble in their own penalty area before Simon Travis hit another dangerous cross from the right flank that went across goal untouched.
Aldershot played out the half the better of the sides, but wasted two good opportunities to go in at the break with the lead. Crittenden found Aaron McLean in space through on goal, but his left footed effort went over the bar and in injury time after good build up skipper Steve Watson shot wide from inside the area.
The Shots started the second half well, Challinor shot was driven low at goal, but Mawson managed to deflect it out for a corner. Hereford though, started to take the game to their opponents and this eventually payed off. Mark Robinson's free kick caused a bit of a scramble in the box before Williams fired a warning shot that flew just inches over the bar. Then a well worked throw in, taken by Anyinsah, left by Purdie for Travis, created United's best chance to that moment, but Travis' low shot was saved well by Nicki Bull.
McLean spun well and got a shot away, but it was just wide before the deadlock was broken. Craig Stanley found Purdie on the left flank and he then crossed well for Carey-Bertram at the far post who had the simple task of tapping the ball in, but defender Brett Johnson did the job for him, injuring himself in the process.
Hereford grew in confidence after the goal and should have gone on to score more, but they were foiled by some good goalkeeping and some poor finishing. Carey-Bertram had the chance to put his name on the scoresheet when he found himself through on goal, but his shot was saved low from a tight angle. McLean then reminded the Bulls of the Shot's threat, forcing Mawson into a very good save from a header.
David Brown replaced Rob Purdie at the beginning of an eventful final ten minutes of the match, which saw Mawson dive superbly to his left to deny Sills a headed equaliser. Hereford then broke and Stanley's cross from the left was headed into the air by Will Antwi and then onto the roof of the net by Anyinsah. Brown then headed on a long ball to create the perfect chance for Carey-Bertram to finalise the result, but when through on goal he managed to shoot pretty much straight at Bull. This was his last act as he was then sacrificed for Tom Smith, to strengthen the defence.
Anyinsah had a final teasing run down the right and he crossed from the bye-line for Brown, who somehow managed to miss from no more than a yard out, although the 'keeper did get a slight touch. However, Brown made up for this mistake when Williams cleared the danger as Aldershot pressured in injury time, and Brown ran onto the clearance and fired a stunning shot from twenty yards out into the top corner, ensuring the 500 or so Hereford fans, in a crowd of 3,799, were sent home delighted.
This result clearly meant a lot to the players and the supporters of Hereford United as they both were absolutly delighted at the end of the game. It is hoped that following this sucess, the Bulls will be able to kick start a run to cement their position in the end of season play offs.
HUFC Team: Mawson, Travis, James, Mkandawire, Robinson, Williams, Stanley, Pitman, Anyinsah, Purdie, Carey-Bertram. Subs: Tretton, Smith, Scott, Hyde, Brown.
ATFC: Bull, Mustafa, Crittenden, Johnson, Antwi, Challinor, Barnard, McAuley, Sills, McLean. Subs: Glasspool, Warburton, Giles, Warner, Smith.
Bulls shoot back up to sixth
Hereford United have beaten Aldershot Town 2-0 in the Conference this afternoon, with goals coming from Danny Carey-Bertram (although it has been credited as a Brett Johnson own-goal) just after the hour mark, and a late strike from substitute David Brown.
The result moves Hereford into sixth place in the table, and they are now just two points behind second-placed Carlisle United.
Speaking after the match to Peter McMillan of BBC Hereford & Worcester, United skipper Tony James was delighted with the victory: "It is a difficult to place to come, and three points with all the results yesterday was a must.
"We got into some great positions, it was a tight contest, and we were hoping to nick one in the first half. We've sucked up a bit of pressure, and defended well, and we've always been able to get onto teams when under pressure. We played a team full of pace, and it worked well for us."
Of David Brown's injury-time strike: "It was a cracking finish. It was a great strike from a few yards, we were under pressure in the last ten minutes but I think we managed to see it off really well."
Also, despite some technical problems early on, BBC Hereford & Worcester's online coverage was a success, and it is hoped that more games may be covered this way in the future.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Aldershot game on BBC H&W
Trevor Owens, the Sports Editor of BBC Hereford and Worcester, has issued the following statement about the Aldershot game.
BBC Hereford and Worcester are going to attempt to cover that Aldershot Town game on the web tomorrow, but, from the outset, we are warning there could be substantial hurdles to overcome with this one. I am trying to be as up front as I can over this, without boring you all to death with BBC rules, technical issues and broadcast rights etc.
It is FA Cup weekend, and so the vast majority of the normally available BBC webcasting bandwith has been long booked up for this weekend, largely due to a relaxation of the rules allowing the web broadcast of FA Cup ties beyond the third round. This means that even getting on the web at all could be a problem.
On a staffing note, the costs of streaming a Sunday match are largely prohibitive. Radio audiences on Sundays are generally far lower than the rest of the week, so we tend to do shared programming with Radios Shropshire and Stoke in order to keep down the costs. The downside of this is that they are less than happy to take our football (or cricket in the summer) into their shared programmes. Similarly, our listeners do not have to put up with Port Vale updates. For us to buy in a techinical operator (even if we could get one on a Sunday) is also expensive; it can cost more than what we pay a commentator to do the game.
SO?. In order to try and get the game on to the web at all, I am going to try and stream it from home.. I have an ISDN line there for taking match reports etc in the week after games, and our engineer here and myself have been through all the techicalities, and we think it should work. I think I can safely say that this will never have been tried at the BBC before, so, as such it is ground breaking stuff, and so is prone to taking on a pear-shaped outline? The upside is that, if it works, then we may be able to do more games; if it doesn't work, well, it had to be worth our while giving it a go?.
This is why we have not flagged it up until now (late Saturday evening). Please bear with us; I am not looking for any brownie points over this for giving up a chunk of my day off to do all of this (not to mention putting up with the serious grief I am getting from the good Mrs Owens); I would, though, be grateful if the criticisms were it not to work were kept to a dull roar?. It has to be regarded as an experiment
Just in case the broadcast doesn't work BBC Southern Counties Radio are also broadcasting the game on the net.
Bulls drop to eleventh place
Hereford United have dropped to eleventh position in the Conference after this afternoon's results.
Although both Barnet and Carlisle could only draw, there were wins for Crawley, Exeter, Morecambe, Stevenage and Woking, whilst Dagenham put five past Gravesend.
Graham Turner may be wishing he had persued Darryn Stamp who scored twice for Stevenage in his first game for his new club.
And next week's visitors to Edgar Street in the FA Trophy, Hyde United showed that they can find the back of the net with a 4-0 away win at Bamber Bridge.
Ben Smith still recovering
Former Hereford United player, Ben Smith, seems unlikely to play much part in the rest of this season at Shrewsbury. He spent some time out of action when playing for the Bulls with the same type of injury.
Smith dislocated his shoulder during the 3-2 LDV Vans Trophy victory over Bournemouth at Gay Meadow and has spent this week by spending time at the National Sports Centre at Lilleshall.
"I am looking at having another week in Lilleshall in February and going to see the specialist in March," Smith told the Shropshire Star.
"Even if I get the go-ahead to return to full training then you are looking at a month in the reserves and that takes us through to the end of the season.
"It's frustrating but the last thing I want to do is rush back and ruin all the waiting.
"It is all about strengthening the shoulder at the moment and doing everything possible to make sure this doesn't happen again.
"But if the gaffer calls on me I will be ready to do what I can for the team."
Meanwhile former Hereford United player Matt Gardiner is on the move from Redditch to Worcester where he will join up with John Snape, another ex-player, who is currently caretaker manager.
Shotsweb predicts 2-1 home win
Shotsweb is predicting that their team will finally register a Conference win over Hereford United tomorrow.
An excellent preview suggests that although Aldershot has hit a useful run of form recently, a defeat tomorrow could send them some way back down the Conference table.
Their "Considered Opinion" section makes interesting reading:
Even though Hereford find themselves near the bottom of the "current form" table and are in the midst of a mini injury crisis of their own, they should never be discounted in games against The Shots. Despite gaining a decisive advantage over them by reaching the Play-Off Final last season, Aldershot are yet to actually beat The Bulls over 5 matches.
But, after being unbeaten in seven through to the middle of December, performances recently have been poor, and with striker Lee Mills, central defender Andy Tretton, right-back Ryan Green and midfielder Graham Hyde all out injured, Hereford have endured four defeats in their last five League games.
Forwards Danny Carey-Bertram and Adam Stansfield should return, however, and with Simon Travis and Joe Anyinsah, signed on loan from Bristol City, already forming an impressive partnership down the right wing, they may still pose a major threat to The Shots' defence.
In Tuesday's LDV Vans Trophy Semi-Final defeat against Wrexham, Hereford rediscovered some semblance of their old form by reverting to a 3-5-2 formation, after their experiment with a 4-4-2 line-up had contributed to some lack-lustre displays. However, both that, and the loss against Dagenham and Redbridge last Saturday, have been symptomatic: having dominated for much of the game without capitalising upon their possession, set-pieces and territorial advantage, they were largely complicit in their own downfall with mistakes at both ends of the pitch.
Hereford's hitherto prolific strikers have of late been suffering from niggling knocks and a loss of sharpness. The team has scored only nine goals in as many games, with three of those coming against Leigh RMI and two each from midfielders Craig Stanley and Jamie Pitman. Adam Stansfield, much-heralded replacement for Steve Guinan, has two in five, while the usually reliable David Brown has only one.
Still in something of a transitional period after last season's perceived failure, and with manager Graham Turner under increasing pressure to deliver tangible success, The Bulls are one of several teams whose season could live or die by their next few results, a win or two could pull them clear into a Play-Off position, but a defeat could leave them in twelfth place come Sunday night.
Meanwhile some 400 Hampshire police are expected to cover todays Cup game at Southampton. This level of policing explains why the game at the Rec has been moved to tomorrow.
A bit of admiration for Brown
Graham Turner has paid a generous compliment to Aldershot manager, Terry Brown, before their two teams meet tomorrow.
The Hereford United manager told BBC Hereford and Worcester that despite the Shots ending the Bulls promotion hopes last season, there are no hard feelings between the clubs. Turner's words come after Brown praised his opposite numbers' acheivements earlier in the week.
"They were dropping near to halfway up the league and suddenly one win puts them back in third place in the table. So that's how tight it is," noted Turner.
"But usually they are entertaining encounters against Aldershot. I've got a bit of admiration for Terry Brown. I think he's done a very good job, he's had the resources to do it, but I think the side plays in a decent way and I'm sure we will enjoy playing against them."
BBC Hereford and Worcester, as well as BBC Southern Counties, are to cover the game on the internet. It is beleived that the Hereford output will be different to that on SCR.
Shots and Bulls in crunch match
Hereford United travel to Aldershot tomorrow afternoon for a crunch match, from which the Bulls really need to take at least a point. Poor recent league form has seen Hereford drop from third position to eighth in the table, and Aldershot currently hold the third position. However, United can draw equal on points if they are victorious at the Recreation Ground, kick off 2pm.
The game is not only big in terms of the league standings, but history from last season will surely spice this game up. The Hereford players, who were eliminated from the play offs by the Shots, will be hoping to get one over on their opponents. Hereford have a very good league record against Aldershot since their return to the Conference. In three meetings, the Bulls have won all three including a 2-0 win at Edgar Street earlier this season.
Terry Brown will have to change his strike force for the game, as loanee Johnny Dixon was recalled by Wycombe earlier this week. Roscoe D'Sane is still out with a long term injury and will not feature despite earlier reports that he was targeting this game for a comeback. New signing Tarkan Mustafa is short of match fitness but could make his debut, but it is more likely that he will start on the bench.
Hereford still have a number of players missing through injury, but are boosted with the return of Joe Anyinsah who was cup tied for the LDV fixture in midweek. Both Andy Tretton and Ryan Green will miss out in the defence with back and hamstring problems respectivly. The experienced duo of Lee Mills, ankle, and Graham Hyde, unknown illness, are also major doubts for the game. David Brown is expected to have fully recovered from his injury, but it is beleived that Adam Stansfield, who limped off in the second half game last Tuesday, will have to face a late fitness test. It was the second consecutive game the striker has been substituted due to injury and Graham Turner confirmed to BBC Hereford and Worcester yesterday that he is a big doubt for the game.
There is a good chance, following the performance against Wrexham on Tuesday, that Hereford will revert to the 3-5-2 formation that was so sucessful last season. There were many improved performances as a result of the tactical change, the most notable being Rob Purdie's and United's midfield. However, the Bulls did finish the game on Tuesday with a 4-4-2 formation so it is not yet definite that the change, so many supporters have been calling for, will happen.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Aldershot Police warn troublemakers to stay away
The Hampshire Constabulary have issued the following statement:
Aldershot Police working with the Force's Football Intelligence Unit are warning they will not tolerate any violence at this Sunday's game between Aldershot Town and Hereford United.
The conference league match is expected to draw a large crowd to the "Shots" ground off the High Street in Aldershot.
Recently several people have found themselves before the courts after being involved in disorder at the Aldershot Town v Carlisle match.
A seventeen year old youth appeared at Alton Magistrates on Monday, January 24 in connection with the Aldershot versus Carlisle disorder on the September 25, last year. He was convicted of a public order offence and will be sentenced on February 14.
A 21-year-old, Arron Kemp of Ventnor Terrace, Aldershot appeared on the January 18 and also pleaded guilty to a public order offence. He is due back for sentencing on the February 22 at Alton Magistrates.
Glenn Pearce, 33, appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on 21/01/05. He pleaded guilty to a public order offence and was given a three year football banning order, fined £500.00 with an additional £70.00 in costs.
Four other males have already been dealt with by the courts, one receiving a custodial sentence for his part in the violence; all of them have had Football Banning Orders imposed on them ranging from three to six years.
Two other men will also be appearing at court in the coming weeks after being charged by police in connection with the violence.
PC Paul Longhurst from the Football Intelligence Unit said: "Whilst the majority of Aldershot fans are there to support their team, these convictions and the pro-active stance taken by Hampshire Constabulary's Football Intelligence Unit should act as a timely reminder to any persons intent on causing trouble at the forthcoming Aldershot v Hereford match, football hooliganism will not be tolerated
"The genuine fans do not want it, neither do the football club and anyone identified as being involved in any disorder can expect the police to seek a football banning order against them."
It's Aldershot on Sunday
Hereford United travel to Aldershot on Sunday for a Conference League game and a large number of supporters are expected to make the trip to Hampshire.
Below are some details for those who are thinking of making the game:
Directions:
From M3: exit at junction 4 onto A331 towards Aldershot, onto the A323 following the signs to Aldershot. Go under the railway bridge and the ground is on the right.
Parking:
Continue under the railway bridge, The Recreation Ground is just past the bridge on the right.
Turn right at the next roundabout into Ordnance Road, take the first right for the car park.
More parking is available at the multi-story about 400 yards away.
The Aldershot Official Website gives the following information about parking: Do not park on the grass verges or pavement on Ordnance Road. The local authority will issue parking tickets to any vehicles parked on double yellow lined roadways, or the grass verges and pavements adjacent to them.
There is limited car parking available in the Parsons Barracks car park (next to the Recreation Ground) priced at £1.00 for the whole day, but this is generally full by 1.45pm on Saturdays. (Doesn't mention Sundays - ed)
The best option is the secure and equally cheaply priced pay and display car-parks less than a five minute walk into town, (less than one minute drive from Ordnance Road car park), marked on the map above.
Tickets: Taken from Aldershot Official Site but not confirmed:
ADMISSION PRICES
Adult Terrace £12.00
Concession Terrace * £7.00
Junior Terrace ** £5.00
Adult Seating £15.00
Concession Seating * £8.00
Junior Seating ** £7.00
* Concessionary tickets are applicable to the following:
Senior Citizens - (Aldershot's policy is 60 years young and above)
Disabled Persons - (only on production of a valid card)
Students - (only on production of a valid NUS card)
UB40/ES40 - (only on production of a valid card)
Armed Forces - (only on production of valid Military ID card)
** Junior tickets are applicable to the following:
Persons aged 16 years and below (proof of age may be requested)
Bulls News apologies for incorrect information posted earlier.
Supporters Coach:
It may be too late to obtain a ticket but try the club office on 01432276666. Tickets are £16 and coaches leave at 9am.
And for those who can't make Aldershot:
The match will be broadcast live on the web from BBC Southern Counties Radio for those fans who are unable to get to the game. (Real Player required)
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Brown has high regard for Hereford
The Aldershot News and Mail had a long article about the Shots this morning. Part dealt with transfer news, but there was also a piece on next Sunday's game.
Onto Hereford, and the match gives (Terry) Brown the chance to sustain his side's current winning streak, against a team that despite holding happy memories against last term, beat the Shots 2-0 back in September comfortably at Edgar Street.
Brown said: "I still think they are the best footballing side in the league. We are meeting them in the middle of a good run for us but not the best run for them.
"Playing against Hereford is always a fantastic game. When they came to the Rec last season and beat us 2-1, they were good value for that win. They were in the middle of a fantastic run (11 game winning streak) but it is a different situation this time around and I fully expect this to be a very wide-open game."
The Bulls, who lost to Wrexham 2-1 on Tuesday night in the LDV Vans Trophy, are likely to field a 4-4-2 formation with skipper Tony James partnering the impressive Tamika Mkandawine.
In midfield, the outstanding Robert Purdie ? an England international called up by Paul Fairclough to face Holland next month ? will pull the strings while David Brown is likely to replace Danny Carey-Bertram up front.
After a disappointing Christmas that saw defeats at home and away to Exeter City, Hereford responded well in the FA Trophy, casting aside Accrington Stanley 4-0 after a 0-0 stalemate in Lancashire.
However, their league form has suffered of late, and a win will be much-needed at the Rec after three defeats on the spin and only six points being taken from the last 18 available.
One in and One out at the Rec
Aldershot have signed a defender but lost a striker this week.
Terry Brown, the Shots manager, announced late on Tuesday that he had signed experienced defender Tarkan Mustafa. The 31-year-old has agreed a deal until the end of next season with the Shots following his recent departure from financially troubled Hornchurch.
Mustafa has previous Conference experience with Dagenham, Doncaster, Kingstonian and Rushden and Diamonds, who he helped win the title in 2001.
However today comes news that Wycombe Wanderers have recalled striker Jonny Dixon from his loan spell at the Rec but there is some uncertainty whether he will play against Hereford on Sunday.
Dixon had been due to stay with the Shots for a further month. However, his goal scoring form of 9 goals in 12 appearances, including a hat trick at Gravesend at the weekend, has seen John Gorman recall the young striker early.
The Wycombe Wanderers Offical Site reports that manager John Gorman has said that he will be taking the 21 year-old striker with him to Shrewsbury on Saturday.
"Jonny's buzzing," Gorman said. "He's in contention for the game with Shrewsbury and he's someone else we've got available.
"Despite his recall, the 21 year old will remain faithful to Aldershot who had originally signed him on a two month loan.
"He's insisted that he wants to be honourable and wanted to play the next two games. I was willing to let him do that."
Large police presence expected at Aldershot
A large police presence is expected at Aldershot on Sunday when Hereford United visit the Hampshire town. After trouble in the past mainly caused by local so-called fans, the police requested that the game was moved to Sunday as there is an FA Cup game on the South Coast on Saturday involving Southampton and Portsmouth which will require large numbers of police.
The events close to Edgar Street last Tuesday when there was some disorder will have kept police mindful of potential trouble. A couple of Hereford police are expected in Aldershot on Sunday.
The trouble last Tuesday included fighting in the cattle market, a man arrested after a window was smashed in the Kerry Arms, and damage to cars in Merton Meadow after the game.
According to the Hereford Times, police are studying CCTV footage from both before and after the game to identify possible offenders.
Ten Years of Graham Turner
This mornings Hereford Times contains two articles about the Graham Turner era at Edgar Street. He celebrated his 500th game in charge last Saturday.
The first article is a review by Richard Prime entitled "Five Hundred and more to come" and the second is written by Graham Turner which covers his time so far at Hereford.
Turner's piece concludes with him revealing that in his opinion the biggest achievement is that the club is now financially stable.
"We are out of the CVA and have paid off a big overdraft - and as a club we can start to move forward whether it is with me at the helm or someone else.
"The club, apart from the uncertainy of the development, is in good shape."
Richard Prime also pays tribute to Turner. He suggests that while the Bulls are not yet back in the league, they are certainly better off than they were five years ago.
"The fact that the club is here at all is a testament to the hard work and effort put in over the years," Prime comments.
"Now, with the club in much better order, all supporters will be hoping that Turner's next 500 matches will see more success on the field returning."
The Hereford Times also prints a table of Turner results during his first 500 games: He has won 205, drawn 124 and lost 172 in all games. The goal talley is 732 for and 612 against.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Turner still looking to increase squad
Graham Turner, mindful of his squads' current injury problems, is still hoping to bring a couple new faces to Edgar Street. But whether there will be anyone signed and able to play in the Aldershot game on Sunday is getting less likely as time goes on.
"We haven't done very well in the league lately," Turner told BBC Hereford and Worcester.
"But we don't play until Sunday. We will look at the situation. We could do with a few players recovering from injury. We could do with one or two more faces in."
At least Turner will have Joe Anyinsah back in the side, and it must be hoped that Adam Stansfield can play. The combination of him and Carey-Bertram looked a useful pairing on Tuesday.
Stamp to leave Chester
Chester City are expected to see two of their players leave for Conference clubs in the next day or two. Ian Rush needs to move the two on to other clubs to be able to sign a new striker according to the Chester Chronicle.
Suggestions on this site yesterday that Darryn Stamp might not move to Stevenage appear to be incorrect as his name is once again linked to the Hertfordshire club in the article. There is no mention of Hereford United.
Kevin Rapley is said to be heading to Forest Green Rovers.
Yesterday Chester manager Ian Rush said:" Darryn Stamp is just getting fit again and a number of clubs have expressed an interest in him, but I don't know if they'd be prepared to sign him until he is fully fit. And Forest Green Rovers boss Alan Lewer has been in touch to ask me about Kevin Rapley's availability, but a loan move is up to the player."
Meanwhile Wrexham Football Club is expected to be taken over within three weeks, according to various reports this morning, by a Surrey based consortium.
Finally, Gavin Williams, the former Hereford United player, has been selected for the Welsh Squad for their international against Hungary next month. Paul Parry is not in the squad because of injury.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Over-priced and filthy Edgar Street.
It needs to be asked whether families are welcome at Edgar Street after last night's ultra-high prices for children in the stands.
The charge of £11 for a concession to sit was totally unwarranted. Several families waiting in the queue to enter were dismayed to see prices had been risen for the LDV game. One told Bulls News that they simply couldn't afford to come to Edgar Street with children if kids were to be charged £11 and went home without seeing the match.
For a family of two adults and three children the cost last night was £59 to enter the family stand. It is understood that as the gate is shared after expenses, Hereford United must have agreed with Wrexham to charge this price. The two clubs should be ashamed of themselves.
On top of this once again the Meadow End toilets were filthy. The drains were blocked and by the end of the game the whole area was flooded.
The drains were also blocked last Saturday and it seems unlikely that anybody from the club had bothered to check these toilets. With food being served close-by, the situation probably breaks the law.
It is little wonder that families are put off coming to Edgar Strret if they have to endure rip-off prices and dirty conditions. A great shame when the football last night was so entertaining.
Bulls to play Northwich in Conference Cup
Hereford United will play Northwich Victoria in the fourth round of the Conference Cup. The tie is due to be played on February 15th.
Northwich defeated Leigh RMI 1-0 last night.
Should the Bulls get past the Vics, they will face either Accrington Stanley or Tamworth away. That game is scheduled to take place on March 8th.
The revised fixture list for Hereford United for the next few weeks is as follows:
30th Jan...Aldershot..A..Conf League..2pm
05th Feb...Hyde United..H..FA Trophy..3pm
12th Feb...Barnet..A..Conf League..3pm
15th Feb...Northwich..H..Conf Cup..7.45pm
19th Feb...Canvey..H..Conf League..3pm
At present no date has been announced for the postponed Morecambe away game which was due to be played on Feb 22nd. The Carlisle game at Edgar Street is to be played on Tuesday Mar 15th.
Should Hereford defeat Hyde in the FA Trophy, the next round of that competition takes place on Feb 26th. In which case the Tamworth away game will be postponed.
Turner blames poor marking for defeat
Graham Turner, the Hereford United manager, was angry that his side had not marked the opposition well enough last night.
"To concede one as quickly as we did is diabolical," Turner told BBC Hereford and Worcester after the game.
"Then the winner, straight forward flick on from a throw-in. We knew it would be a threat. What we had to do is make sure we marked them, the people who are going on the end of the flick-on. And we didn't.
"We allowed them a bit of time to get hold of it and score. That is a disappointment.
"I don't feel sorry for them. I'm absolutely livid that we conceded goals in the manner which we did."
Defensive errors cost Bulls
Hereford United have been knocked out of the LDV Vans Trophy Area Semi-Final by Wrexham following an entertaining game at Edgar Street this evening. The Bulls took the lead in the first half before Wrexham immediatly hit back. The Welsh side stole a winner in the second half, much against the run of play. United will pocket £15,000 for their run in the competition this season.
David Brown, Joe Anyinsah, Ryan Green and Danny Williams were all absent from the side that started against Dagenham on the weekend. Brown was only named on the bench, as was Danny Williams but Anyinsah was cup tied and Green was injured. There was no sign of Lee Mills following his substitute appearance on Saturday. Graham Turner opted for a 3-5-2 formation rather than the 4-4-2 that has been used recently.
An early chance fell to Danny Carey-Bertram, back from a hamstring injury, after Tony James' long ball was crossed in by the ever dangerous Rob Purdie, but the shot from the striker struck the body of the defender and the referee waved away any protests for a penalty. At the other end Wrexham created a glorious chance to take the lead with their first attack of the game. Chris Llewellyn run to the bye-line on the right, from where he cut the ball back for Juan Ugarte, but his effort from eight yards was tame and straight at the grateful Craig Mawson.
Mark Robinson forced a low save out of 'keeper Ben Foster from thirty yards with a well driven free kick before Craig Stanley played a wonderful cross field pass to Simon Travis, who cut in from the right and saw his shot flash inches wide, with
Robinson set to tap in at the far post. Adam Stansfield latched onto a through ball down the left flank and crossed perfectly for Purdie, but somehow, with nobody around him, he managed to totally miss the header under no pressure from six yards out.
The opening goal came on twenty minutes when Stansfield raced onto a through ball from Stanley, rounded Foster in the Wrexham goal, and then squared the ball for Carey-Bertram, who hammered into the roof of the net from six yards out. However, a lapse in concentration for the Hereford defence resulted in the equaliser a minute later. Andy Holt crossed from the right and Ugarte capitalised on James' inabililty to head clear, and nodded low past the helpless Mawson.
Stanley forced a save with a powerful effort from twenty five yards out before Mawson was called upon to make a good diving save, tipping Jim Whitley's inswinging left footed effort beyond the post. Stanley picked out the run of Carey-Bertram with a well timed pass, but after skinning two defenders Carey-Bertram could only drag his shot into the side netting. The first period ended pretty evenly though and the last chance was when Matt Crowell's drive bounced awkwardly infront of Mawson and rebounded away off his chest.
Stansfield, who seemed to be limping when he came out for the second half, showed good strength to hold off an oponent and then crossed dangerously into the box, but it was hooked away, but only as far as Purdie who shot well over. Hereford played some very good attacking football that seems to have been lacking from their game recently; the change of formation appeared to aid this greatly. After a good passage of play down the left, Stanley switched it to Stansfield on the right where he crossed for Carey-Bertram, whose header was saved low to Foster's left.
Llewellyn remained a threat on the break but his shot after a good run flew across the goal face. Stephen Roberts headed over after a cross had been played back into the middle from the right as Wrexham enjoyed a short spell of pressure. Travis disposessed Holt in the final third and crossed for Carey-Bertram. He knocked the ball back into the middle but the 'keeper clawed it away with thee attackers scrambling for the ball. Then, much against the run of play Llewellyn grabbed the decisive goal. A throw in on the left wasn't dealt with by Hereford and the ball made it's way to Llewellyn on the edge of the box, from where he fired left footed into the top corner to send the 489 away fans wild.
Stansfield was obviously struggling and had to be changed sooner rather than later, so Brown took to the field in his place. Craig Morgan headed over from a corner for the visitors before United reverted back to a 4-4-2 formation when Tom Smith was
replaced by Danny Williams. Hereford's final, and perhaps best, chance for an equaliser came with around five minutes remaining. Williams swung in a series of corners, and his final one was headed away to the edge of the box to Stanley. He
jinked past one man and then shot at goal. The ball fell to Robinson in the six yard box and somehow he managed to shoot against the goalkeeper who held onto the ball.
The crowd of 2,710 were treated to an entertaining game of football and a much improved performance from the home side. There will now be a decision for the coaching staff to make as whether to continue with the 3-5-2 formation, which seemed to bring many positives. Rob Purdie looked far more comfortable, and dangerous, in the role he played at the end of last season and the teams performance, especially in midfield, seemed to benefit from this change.
HUFC Team: Mawson, Travis, James, Smith, Mkandawire, Robinson, Pitman, Purdie, Stanley, Carey-Bertram, Stansfield. Subs: Andy Williams, Danny Williams, Scott, Gwynne, Brown.
Hereford out of LDV Vans Trophy
Hereford line up: Craig Mawson, Simon Travis, Tony James, Tamika Mkandawire, Tom Smith, Mark Robinson, Robert Purdie, Jamie Pitman, Craig Stanley, Adam Stansfield, Daniel Carey-Bertram.
Wrexham line up: Ben Foster, Craig Morgan, Steve Roberts, Dennis Lawrence, Jim Whitley, Andy Holt, Danny Williams, Mark Jones, Matt Crowell, Chris Llewellyn, Juan Ugarte.
Danny Carey-Bertram gave Hereford the lead but virtually straight after Wrexham equalised through Juan Ugarte. Chris Llewellyn scored in the 74th minute to put Wrexham into the area final. 2710 was the attendance this evening at Edgar Street.
A full report will follow later.
Meanwhile, in the Conference Halifax have moved up to fourth with a two nil win against Burton.
Morecambe game postponed
The Morecambe away fixture has been postponed for the second time.
Originally, Hereford United were due to travel to Morecambe on December 4th but that was postponed as Hereford were playing Boston in the FA Cup.
Now Morecambe have asked for a postponment of the rearranged date of Tuesday February 22nd as their game against Crawley the previous day, which was to be on the preceeding Saturday, is to be televised by Sky.
Possible Tuesday dates for the game will depend on progress in both the LDV this evening and the Conference Cup.
Four clubs said to be after Stamp
Darryn Stamp is said to be on the verge of leaving Chester, and one of the clubs looking at him could be Hereford United.
A report in today's Liverpool Daily Post says that Darryn Stamp is interesting Stevenage Borough, Scarborough, Hereford United and Lincoln. The ex-Northampton striker hit 20 goals last season.
Originally Stamp was thought to be moving to Stevenage but it has been reported that they have signed another player so could be out of the chase.
Whether the Bulls are after Stamp remains speculation at this stage but a strong striker to fill in the Lee Mills role looks to be needed quickly at Edgar Street.
Odds favour Dragons
Hereford United go into this evening's LDV game as underdogs if Skybet is correct with their odds for the game.
Latest website prices offered by them are as follows:
Hereford United 13/8 Draw 12/5 Wrexham 5/4.
Meanwhile for those unable to see the game at Edgar Street, there will be reports into BBC Hereford and Worcester this evening.
Bulls News will have a full report of the match around 11pm assuming that there is no extra-time or penalties in which case it will be posted a little later.
It's a big game says Smith
Denys Smith, the Wrexham manager, will be hoping for more of the same from Juan Ugarte, his Basque striker, this evening as the North Wales club bid to reach a two-legged northern final against either Tranmere Rovers or Oldham Athletic. Ugarte scored four goals last Saturday.
"It's a big game, certainly," he told the Daily Post. "You don't get a second bite in cup games, we've already come a long way in the competition and there's the prize of an interesting final, which will be good for the club.
"But Hereford gave us a hard pre-season game and, of course, they turned us over in the FA Cup a couple of years ago, so we'll have to work hard to get the result. They have been going well this season, despite a blip of late, so we can't afford to take anything for granted."
Meanwhile Ben Foster, who signed a loan deal yesterday at the Racecourse, and could be in goal tonight for Wrexham commented: "I've been playing mostly reserve team football but I've just signed an extension to my contract at Stoke and this is a big chance for me. I'm looking forward to playing at Hereford because it's a massive game for Wrexham, given what is at stake."
Monday, January 24, 2005
Bulls hope for cup upset
Hereford United will be hoping to end Wrexham's LDV Trophy challenge when they visit Edgar Street this evening. The two sides meet in the competition's area semi-final, just three matches away from a potentially money-spinning tie at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff. The cash is much needed by both sides, giving them added incentives to try and make it through these last stages.
No other Conference side has ever made it to the LDV area Finals, so Hereford will make history should they dump their league one opposition out of the competition. The Bulls have a good record against league opposition in this trophy so far in this campaign; Doncaster Rovers, Scunthorpe and Blackpool have all fallen out of the cup at Edgar Street and United will be hoping to add Wrexham to this list.
Wrexham have received a boost ahead of the game though. The arrival of goalkeeper Ben Foster on a one month loan deal from Stoke City eases their 'keeper problems, as long as the club get the paper work sorted in time for the game. Son of Sir Alex Ferguson, Darren, is back for the North Wales side following two games out with an ankle strain, but winger Carlos Edwards is still missing with a broken hand. Dean Bennett, formerly with Kidderminster suffered a reaction to his hernia, so he misses out on another game for Wrexham.
Hereford still have a number of players with knocks, but some may have to play or at least sit on the bench for this northern section semi-final clash. Lee Mills had to have stitches on his head during the game on Saturday and Adam Stansfield may also miss out after suffering from concussion following a clash of heads. Danny Carey-Bertram is still a doubt with a hamstring problem but David Brown should be fit enough to play.
Tamika Mkandawire, who was on the bench against Dagenham, is expected to be fit enough to play and could partner Tony James instead of Tom Smith, unless manager Graham Turner changes the formation. Ryan Green, Danny Williams and Andy Tretton are all reported to be doubts as well.
The two sides last met in the FA Cup back in 2001, when the Bulls put Wrexham out with an Ian Wright goal. Although the game was televised some 4107 fans watched the game which will be remembered for some great goalkeeping by Matt Baker.
Of the players on the day only Tony James remains in the Hereford side, but Wrexham still have Darren Ferguson, Jim Whitley, Dennis Lawrence and Hector Sam on their books. But their respective league positions have hardly changed as Wrexham were close to the bottom of Division Two, as it was in 2001.
Graham Turner will be hoping that he can take a second side to the final of the LDV Vans Trophy. He has previously been sucessful with Wolves in this competition. A good crowd is expected at Edgar Street, with a large following anticipated from Wrexham. However Hereford, if they wish to defeat the league one strugglers, will have to play much better than they have done in the Conference recently.
Carlisle date confirmed
The Hereford United/Carlisle Conference game will be played on Tuesday March 15th according to the Official Carlisle Website.
The game was moved from February 5th as both teams have FA Trophy matches that day.
The kick-off will be at 7.45pm.
Wrexham sign Stoke goalkeeper
Wrexham have signed 21 year-old goalkeeper Ben Foster on a month's loan from Stoke reports BBC Sport. He has only played twice this season whilst on loan at Kidderminster and according to the Stoke manager needs first-team games.
Foster will make his debut in tomorrow's LDV Vans Trophy northern section semi-final against Hereford United if the club can complete the paperwork in time.
The North Wales club signed Spanish stopper Xavier Valero this month, but he has lost favour after two successive howlers and has today left the club.
Wrexham are barred from signing new players as they are in administration, but the Football League have given them special dispensation for the specialist goalkeeping position.
Turner out to set new LDV record
The Football League has issued the following news item about Hereford United and the LDV Vans Trophy.
Hereford United are hoping to become the first Conference side to reach the Area Finals of the LDV Vans Trophy when they meet Wrexham on Tuesday night.
The Bulls have already matched the achievements of Barnet and Halifax Town - the only other Conference sides to reach this stage since The League invited non-League sides into the competition in 2000 - but after beating three League clubs already in this season's competition, Hereford boss Graham Turner is hoping to set a new record by winning their Area Semi Final tie.
He said: "I think our players enjoy the chance to match themselves up against players from the Football League and so far they have acquitted themselves very well. From our point of view we will approach Tuesday's game exactly the same as every other that we have played this season and therefore our aim is simply to try to win it and progress through to the Area Final.
"It's a match that our supporters are really looking forward to as well and, like myself and the players, they are very hopeful that we can become the first non-league team to make it beyond the semi-final stage. As the FA Cup has shown again this season, the beauty of Cup football is that anything can happen and hopefully we can write another page in this club's famous giantkilling tradition on Tuesday night."
Turner is no stranger to success in this competition having seen his Wolves side win the Trophy in 1988 and he is hopeful his Conference high-flyers can reward the Edgar Street faithful with a day out at the Millennium Stadium in April.
He said: "This competition is one that I've always taken seriously and many years ago I took Wolves to Wembley to take on Burnley in the Final and there were more than 80,000 people. That was a great day out for everyone and it would be fantastic if we could reach the Final this season and enjoy a memorable day out in Cardiff. We are only three games from achieving that now and although we know it will be difficult, we will be giving everything we've got to progress even further.
"We're proud of the run we've had so far this year and to have beaten three League clubs in Scunthorpe, Doncaster and Blackpool on route to the semi-final is no mean feat from us. It's not just the teams we have beaten either, it's the way the games have been played and many of our supporters have said that our win over Blackpool was one of the best matches that they have seen at Edgar Street in many seasons."
The other Northern Area Semi Final is an all-League 1 affair as Oldham Athletic take on Tranmere Rovers - the only previous winners of the Trophy left in this season's competition.
The Southern Area Semi-Finals see Leyton Orient meet Bristol Rovers, while last season's runners-up Southend United welcome Swindon Town to Roots Hall.
Four Goal Ugarte danger to Bulls
Hereford United will need to watch Wrexham's Juan Ugarte tomorrow should the Basque striker try to repeat the same sort of form he showed last Saturday. The 23-year-old former Real Sociedad striker was quick to point out that Saturday's haul was nothing new for him.
"It's my second hat-trick in English football because I scored three playing for Dorchester in my first game for them," he told the Daily Post.
"And I've scored five before, playing for Real Sociedad reserves, and when I was in their youth team I once scored six."
"I scored the goals but we must keep winning games and I'd be happy if I wasn't scoring but we were still getting results."
After taking his goal tally to eight from the last four matches, Ugarte said he was coming to terms with English football.
"I feel I've been creating chances but strikers have to score goals to keep their confidence going," he added.
Williams tipped for Welsh squad
Another former Hereford United player, Gavin Williams, is expected to be in the next Welsh squad. New manager John Toshack will reveal his thinking for the future when he names his party for the February 9 Millennium Stadium friendly with Hungary.
According to the Western Mail Toshack has been impressed with both Williams and also former Chester star Danny Collins.
Midfielder Williams, from Merthyr, has made an impression on Toshack since his £150,000 move to Upton Park from Yeovil. He started his career at Edgar Street before moving to the Somerset club.
Williams, like Collins, has become a regular in the Championship and has helped West Ham move right up towards the play-off places.
At some point, Toshack will aim to pair Williams with West Ham clubmate Carl Fletcher, who has already done well with Wales under Toshack's predecessor Hughes.
Collins was instantly identified by Chester boss Ian Rush and his No 2 Mark Aizlewood as a Welsh player for the future when they took over at the Deva Stadium.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Aldershot hope for big gate
Aldershot are hoping that Hereford United will bring plenty of supporters to their ground next Sunday for what they are describing as the biggest game of the season so far.
Speaking on SCR, Shots manager Terry Brown said that next Sundays match against Hereford is a huge match which the Shots have to win in order to maintain their charge for a play-off spot. He said it is a massive occassion and it would be great to have between 5 and 6000 supporters at the Recreation Ground for the match.
He may be disappointed as Hereford are not expected to take as many supporters as they did to the play-off game last season. The Sunday 2pm start may stop some families with local football games in the morning from travelling.
Meanwhile the Shots may be without a couple of players for the game who have reached five yellow cards already this season.
Purdie and Stanley in English squad
Hereford Uniteds'Rob Purdie and Craig Stanley have been selected for the English squad for the Non-League match against Holland at Woking on February 16th.
However with a heavy fixture list, it is quite likely that Graham Turner will be reluctant to let them take part should they be picked for the game.
Turner confirms injury crisis
Graham Turner told the NLP that he is facing an injury crisis at Edgar Street.
"Adam Stansfield, Ryan Green and Danny Williams had reported problems before the game," said the Hereford United manager.
"Lee Mills was not totally right, but was pressed into service and Danny Carey-Bertram has problems with his hamstring.
"We just hope some of them will be fit for Tuesday."
Turner will be without Joe Anyinsah for the LDV game but is pleased with his signing.
"Joe gives us something that we haven't had since Paul Parry left last season."
Meanwhile Simon Travis commented about yesterday's defeat: "It was soul-destroying. We had enough possesion and created enough chances to have won two or three games.
The Dagenham manager, John Still, noted that Tony Roberts, his goalkeeper, didn't really have much to do in the game. However he did say that Hereford are a very good side.
The stats for yesterday's game at Edgar Street revealed the problems Hereford had as the Bulls only managed three shots on target, but gained eleven corners.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Squad too small to cope
There is little doubt that the Hereford United squad is too small at present given the amount of players suffering with injuries.
Adam Stansfield was taken to hospital with suspected concussion this afternoon after a clash of heads in the penalty area.
Danny Williams who, after being stretched off last Tuesday, started the game was subbed. He appeared to be in some trouble.
Lee Mills came on for Williams but looked slow and generally unable to cope.
Ryan Green was also subbed today. It looked as though he had a hamstring niggle.
Danny Carey-Bertram, who pulled up late in the game last Tuesday with what looked like cramp, is said to have hamstring trouble and didn't make the bench today.
Andy Tretton remains sidelined with reported back trouble.
Tamika Mkandawire made the bench after several games outbut was not called on to take any part in the match.
And with Joe Anyinsah unable to play on Tuesday in the Wrexham LDV game, Graham Turner will have a difficult task to find enough players to take part in the match especially if none of the above eight are reasonably fit .
Trewick rattled by BBC interview
John Trewick, the Hereford United coach had the difficult task of being interviewed this afternoon by BBC Hereford and Worcester after the Bulls were defeated by Dagenham. He admitted that it was a disappointing result.
"We dominated the game practically from start to finish and created many, many chances but just couldn't finish. I think we created a lot around their penalty area to win two or three matches, never mind one game.
"So everybody is a little bit disappointed to say the least."
When it was suggested by the interviewer, Peter McMillian, that their goalkeeper didn't have much to do, Trewick responded by saying "You're a hard man, aren't you.
"He had one or two saves to make. The amount of possession we had in their final third, you expect to get something from it."
Talking about the Dagenham goal, Trewick thought that Adam Stansfield (who may have been marking Uddin, the scorer) was a little bit concussed at the time but then questioned whether the free kick from which the goal was scored had been correctly given.
"There were a few strange decisions today," Trewick commented. "They didn't deserve anything from the game let alone winning it."
Then the interviewer commented that it was fourth defeat in five league games for Hereford.
"You're a right bundle of fun," Trewick told McMillian. "There seems to be a strange sort of delight in people saying that. I don't know where it's coming from. I prefer to look at the positive side of the game. Any neutral watching that match would say we deserved to win it many times over.
"I could say to you it's our first defeat in four."
"What do you think you have to do to get the Conference campaign back on track," asked McMillian.
"Score some goals," replied Trewick.
Dominant Bulls pay the price
Hereford United had most of the play this afternoon at Edgar Street, but were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline as Dagenham & Redbridge snatched a victory to complete a double over United. Former Hereford United loanee Anwar Uddin converted one of the Daggers few chances for the only goal of the game.
Graham Turner had several players who were not fully fit, but still only made once change from the F.A. Trophy victory on Tuesday. Danny Carey-Bertram has a tweaked hamstring and so David Brown replaced him in the Hereford attack. Tamika Mkandawire was back in the squad after injury, as was Lee Mills, but both only made the bench.
Hereford rarely forced 'keeper Tony Roberts into a save throughout the game, but they created several "half chances". Brown's touch after Craig Mawson's long clearance failed to take him away from the onrushing goalie, who managed to smother at the feet of Brown. Craig Stanley's half volley following Adam Stansfield's cushion header was saved by Roberts before Danny Williams benefited from a good run by Joe Anyinsah, but couldn't beat Roberts from a tight angle.
Lee Goodwin was taken off within half an hour of the start and was replaced by Tony Boot due to injury. Simon Travis won a corner that fell to Jamie Pitman, who headed back into the box before having the ball returned by Anyinsah, but his left footed drive was over. Dag & Red forced their first real chance of the game after thirty five minutes, and it proved to be the decisive moment in the game. A free kick was awarded on the left by referee Amy Rayner which was crossed into the dangerzone by Glenn Southam and Uddin connected with his head and diverted the ball into the bottom corner.
The dangerous Chris Moore was denied by Tom Smith after a good run into the penalty area as the Daggers looked to double their lead immediatly. The Bulls were delt a blow when Adam Stansfield had to be subbed and then taken to hospital with concussion. His replacement Rob Purdie was straight in on the action, heading down Tony James' long pass for Pitman whose first time shot was saved. Purdie drove a left footed effort from the right of the penatly area and forced a save out of Roberts before Stanley fired wide from twenty yards before the interval.
Both sides made changes at the break, Shane Blackett replaced Craig Mackail-Smith for the visitors. Lee Mills and Mark Robinson were introduced for Danny Williams and Ryan Green, who were both pre-match doubts. Travis paced onto Mill's accurate pass on the right but his cross/shot went untouched across the goal face. Anyinsah then delivered a similar cross but this time the inswinging pass bounced just wide of the far post. Smith then squandered what was arguably Hereford's best opportunity of the afternoon. He lost his marker and met Purdie's corner with a powerful header that was inched over the bar from six yards out.
Mawson presented the ball to Scott Griffiths with a loose throw out, but the shot from the left of the goal was at Mawson. Dagenham worked most of their openings on the counter attack as the Bulls pressed for an equaliser. Moore was played in behind the defence but his shot was just wide of the far post, which was a let of for United. Moore was again causing trouble for the defence soon after, but Mawson saved with his legs after Moore got away from James. Pitman linked up well with Purdie on the right and the latter's shot was deflected wide for a corner.
Stanley opened up the visitors defence with a good pass to Travis on the right, but his cross was literally inches too high for Brown who awaited in the penalty area. Pitman crossed for Travis who connected with a diving header, but it hit Ashley Vickers and went out for a corner. Hereford forced sucessive corners in injury time, the first of which fell to Robinson at the far post who returned the ball into the middle but it was Vickers who was first to it and he put it behind again. Anyinsah's twenty five yarder went close in the third minute of added time in Hereford's last effort for an equaliser.
Hereford's supporters in the crowd of 2,510 will once again be unhappy with the performance of their side who really should have made more out of the possesion that they dominated. The Bulls need more imagination and need to be more clinical with their shooting or the play off places will slip away from their grasp. The 74 away fans though, will be more than happy to have completed a double on Hereford this season having seen their side demolished 9-0 by the same opponents last season.
HUFC Team: Mawson, Green, Travis, Smith, James, Anyinsah, Williams, Pitman, Stanley, Stansfield, Brown. Subs: Mkandawire, Robinson, Hyde, Scott, Mills.
DRFC Team: Roberts, Foster , Goodwin, Vickers, Griffiths, Clark, Uddin, Southam, Bruce, Moore, Mackail-Smith. Subs: Boot, McGowen, Blackett, Overland, Judge.
Hereford beaten by Dagenham
Hereford line up: Craig Mawson, Ryan Green, Simon Travis, Tom Smith, Tony James, Joe Anyinsah, Danny Williams, Jamie Pitman, Craig Stanley, Adam Stansfield, David Brown.
The only goal of the game was when Dagenham got the winner, former Bulls defender Anwar Uddin headed home for the visitors.
A full match report will follow later.
Stansfield stays at Edgar Street
Adam Stansfield, the Hereford United top scorer, has been looked at by Weymouth manager Steve Johnson according to the Western Daily Press.
The paper suggests that Weymouth made an offer to Hereford United for Stansfield but the offer was turned down.
It is understood that Weymouth have a lengthy injury list and were looking to bolster their squad. They are also beleived to have made an offer for Chris Giles, the Aldershot defender.
"I put a substantial offer in for Adam but Hereford boss Graham Turner turned me down," Johnson told the Weymouth website.
"It's a shame because Stansfield would be an excellent signing but he is one of their leading scorers and naturally don't want to lose him."
Steve Johnson would know of Stansfield's ability as his brother Gary Johnson is manager of Yeovil, Stansfield's former club.
It seems highly unlikely that Graham Turner would have accepted any offer for Stansfield, who is a very hard-working forward.
Meanwhile former Hereford United player Scott Goodwin has now moved to Nuneaton Borough.
Friday, January 21, 2005
No weather problems at Edgar Street
Despite a forecast of bad weather last night, Herefordshire is waking up to little more than a slight frost this morning.
Therefore the game at Edgar Street this afternoon should go ahead without any need for an inspection.
Bulls News now on Confguide
Bulls News are pleased to confirm a new arrangement with Confguide which will mean that all our current output can now be viewed through www.confguide.com.
Some time ago Confguide, the premier non-league site, asked if they could have a feed from Bulls News. Owner David Stevenson, better known as Hoagy, guided our own techie through the process two weeks ago and the feed went live last Friday week.
It gives Bulls News extra traffic and helps promote Hereford United to a wider audience.
Confguide have reported the news:
Bulls News, an independent news site dedicated to Hereford United, is the latest club site to publish its headlines directly on the Conference Guide.
If you go to the Hereford United news page on this site, you will see headlines from the Conference Guide, from Bulls News, and from BBCi.
This is facilitated by Bulls News publishing an Atom feed. Similarly, we pick up RSS feeds from sites dedicated to Halifax, Morecambe, Dagenham, Stevenage, Aldershot and others.
Although Bulls News has no plans to radically alter its site, subtle changes now mean that fifteen news items on available on the main page. This usually covers three or four days news and and if a reader wishes to go further back it's just one or two clicks.
Bulls News continues to be advert free.
Trewick pleased with Anyinsah
John Trewick,the Hereford United coach, is very pleased with loan signing Joe Anyinsah. The Bristol City player will keep his place in the Hereford United side to face Dagenham tomorrow.
"Joe has looked very lively since coming to the club and has settled in very, very well," Trewick told the Evening News.
"He likes to take players on and is more of an orthodox wideman than others at the club. Rob Purdie and Danny Williams have played in that position but the position comes more natural to Joe.
"He is also benefiting from his time with us because he is getting a good standard of football under his belt."
Talking about the injury to Danny Williams last Tuesday, Trewick revealed that it wasn't as serious as first thought.
"Danny's knee locked, giving him a bit of a scare. But we have had a look and are hopeful he will be okay for the Dagenham game."
Trewick also said that whilst several players had injuries, most of them should be able to play at least a part in tomorrow's match. And he felt that a win against the Daggers was very possible.
"We have changed our system since we lost down there and I feel we are now capable of beating anyone at home.
"Dagenham were well-organised when we played them and have some pace up front and out wide. But we have to concentrate on what we have to do and attack them right from the start."
Snape in temporary charge at Worcester
John Snape, the former Hereford United midfielder, has taken over as temporary manager at Worcester City.
Snape, who is the clubs' player coach, has been put in charge following the surprise departure of manager John Barton who left the club after five and a half years in charge last night.
Worcester have not had the best of seasons so far and now lie fifteenth in the Conference North. They are expected to name a new manager within the next few weeks.
Snape, or Snapper as he was known at Edgar Street, left Hereford when manager Graham Turner had his big clear out a couple of seasons ago in May 2002. Always very enthusiastic when playing, Snape made 147 appearances for the Bulls and scored ten goals.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Mini injury crisis for Bulls
Hereford United are faced with a mini injury crisis for the visit of Dagenham & Redbridge to Edgar Street tomorrow afternoon. The Bulls really need to get their league form back on track after some disapointing recent results which have seen them slip out of the play off positions. United need this victory to attempt to start to string some results together; the result against Accrington midweek will have been a good boost of confidence for the Bulls.
United's opponents, Dagenham, currently lie thirteenth in the Conference but are five points adrift of twelth place Woking. John Still's side, who defeated Hereford at Dagenham 3-1 earlier in the season, are still looking for their first win in 2005 and Hereford will be no easy place to get this.
The Daggers will be without defender Tim Cole for the trip as he faces around two months on the sidelines, but Glen Southam is expected to return for Dag & Red after a spell out with injury. Steve Clark who missed the Trophy game against Bishops Stortford. Lee Flynn and Mark Janney have both returned to training having been out with niggles.
Andy Tretton is once again expected to miss out and Tamika Mkandawire is also facing a battle to be fit in time having missed the past three games. Ryan Green is also a doubt following the game on Tuesday. David Brown was out injured for the Trophy replay against Accrington and is once again expected to miss out as is Lee Mills.
Danny-Carey Bertram appeared to have cramp at the end of the game on Tuesday but it may have been something more serious as he is expected to be in a race to be fit enough for the game. It was suggested prior to the game that he had a hamstring problem. Adam Stansfield limped off just after half time in the same game, but is thought to be ok for the match, but if the three other strikers are out Andy Williams may get a first Conference start for the Bulls.
The match is of personal significance to Hereford United boss Graham Turner. The game will mark his 500th match since his arrival at Edgar Street in the summer of 1995, which may give him an added incentive to win this game. The play off positions are currently so close that the Bulls really do need the win to keep the pressure on those above them, deated could lead to a drop as low as twelth position.
LDV admission prices for Wrexham
According to the Official Wrexham Site, admission prices for the LDV game at Edgar Street next Tuesday have been announced.
Wrexham fans are being asked to pay:
Stand: Adults £13 Concessions £11
Terrace: Adults £11 Concessions £7
It is assumed that Hereford United supporters will be asked to pay the same prices.
However the £11 Concession price is above that normally charged at Edgar Street. If correct, this high price will put off families attending what could be an entertaining game.
Cup results bring in £45,000
Hereford United will receive at least £45,000 from progress in Cup competitions this season.
Two wins in the FA Cup, against Radcliffe and Southport, brought in £10,000 and £16,000 respectively.
Last Tuesday's defeat of Accrington in the FA Trophy earnt the Bulls another £4,000. And should the Bulls defeat Hyde United in the next round another £5,000 will be on the way to Edgar Street.
Next Tuesday Hereford United entertain Wrexham in the Semi-final of the Northern Area LDV competition. The prize money works in a different way in this Cup as the losers receive the prize. On offer next Tuesday is £15,000. Should the Bulls defeat Wrexham then the next round then £20,000 is on offer to the loser.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
No incentive yet to play in Conference Cup
The Conference Cup, recently renamed the GLS Cup, remains a cup with little incentive to progress in.
Although Hereford United are through to the fourth round, they have not received any prize money for defeating Burton. The Bulls have to wait until next week to know whether they will face Northwich or Leigh who play their third round tie next week.
The Conference told Bulls News yesterday that because of the change of sponsor details are yet to be finalised.
"With the change in sponsor it (prize money) has to be confirmed at the Half Yearly
meeting which is the end of this month," said a Conference spokesperson.
It seems lax that the Conference only meet twice a year to discuss matters such as sponsorship of their new Cup competition.
No wonder some Hereford United supporters think that this extra competition is one cup too many.
It's Hyde in the Trophy
Hereford United will play Hyde United in the fourth round of the FA Trophy.
Hyde won their third round replay at Whitby Town 1-0 this evening to face the Bulls at Edgar Street on February 5th.
Currently fourth in the Unibond league, they are two places above Radcliffe Borough whom Hereford United defeated in the FA Cup last October.
Hyde United's best FA Trophy performance was when they reached the semi-finals (three times). In 1988/89 they lost 4-0 (agg) to Telford United. In 1994/95 they lost 2-1 (agg) to Kidderminster Harriers and in 1995/96 they lost 3-1 (agg) to Northwich Victoria.
Turner happy with performance
Graham Turner told Trevor Owens of BBC Hereford and Worcester that he was happy with his sides' performance last night in the Trophy tie.
"I thought it was a good performance. What impressed me about it was the enthusiasm for the job, the amount of work we put into winning the game. It was a good night's work.
"We had a bit of a break when they had the lad sent off, but we were in command before that. There were some good individual performances, but most importantly, collectively we looked a side again."
Talking about the sending off, Turner said the referee was close to the challenge.
"I always thought he was going to send him off. I sometimes think it's very harsh but those are the rules now and we've had our share of it.
"There can't be too many complaints from them about the sending off."
Turner was pleased that Stansfield opened the scoring.
"He's worked hard up-front without getting the rewards over recent matches and it was nice to see one go in."
The 4-0 victory is the largest margin that the Bulls have won by at home since the 7-1 defeat of Halifax in November 2003.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Little profit from Trophy tie
Although Hereford United will bank £4,000 for defeating Accrington Stanley last night, the poor attendance of only 710 will do little to swell the bank balance. With the away team receiving half of the gate money after expenses, it is likely that the Bulls have lost money on the night without the prize money.
The Bulls will have to wait until this evening to find out who they will meet in the fourth round as Hyde United and Whitby Town replay their tie to find out who travels to Edgar Street.
The prize money for the fourth round is £5,000 for the winning club. The game will be played on February 5th.
Danny Williams was stretched off the field during the second-half of the tie with a lower leg injury. However it is not yet known how serious the injury is.
Adam Stansfield was also taken off as he appeared to have taken a knock to a leg and Danny Carey-Bertram pulled up with cramp shortly before the end of the game but carried on as the Bulls had used all three subs by then. Rob Purdie who came on during the second period looked sharp after his spell on the injury list.
Meanwhile Hereford United dropped to sixth place in the Conference table last night as Aldershot, who defeated Farnborough 2-1 last night, moved into third place.
Bulls dump Accrington out of Trophy
Hereford United thrashed Accrington Stanley 4-0 this evening at Edgar Street in the F.A.Trophy third round replay. Two goals in each half were enough to see United cruise through the game, which they dominated for most of the time.
The Bulls made only one change to the starting eleven from the original tie last Saturday; David Brown was missing through injury so Danny Carey-Bertram deputised. Rob Purdie was back on the bench following a hamstring injury, as was Andy Williams. Lee Mills was not named amongst the substitutes.
Hereford were in front after seventeen minutes, but before they had the lead Carey-Bertram had hooked a shot after latching onto a head on by Adam Stansfield, but goalkeeper Paul Crichton managed to back-pedal and tip the ball over his cross bar. Danny Williams was the provider a few minutes later and it was Stansfield who managed to get goal side of his marker, and unleash a powerful shot across goal and into the far top corner from the left of the penalty area.
Ten minutes after United had the lead referee Bob Desmond made a decision that effectively changed the game when he showed centre back Michael Flynn a red card after he fouled Stansfield, who was running clear on goal. Danny Williams took the resulting free kick twenty five yards from goal, and his effort crashed against the cross bar. Simon Travis had a fantastic run down the left over fourty yards and finished it with a thunderous twenty yard strike that was palmed away by Critchon.
Seven minutes before the break though, Hereford did double their advantage. A corner from the right wasn't properly dealt with by Accrington and it fell to Craig Stanley on the edge of the box. He found Stansfield, who touched the ball to his right where Carey-Bertram was on hand to fire a shot across the 'keeper and into the top corner, albeit with a slight deflection. Joe Anyinsah went close after a good run from inside his own half but he shot just wide from thirty five yards when he may have done better to go closer.
The Bulls came out charging in the second half and made the game pretty much safe with just two minutes gone, Tom Smith met the impressive Anyinsah's cross from the right, which was touched on by the Carey-Bertram, with a diving header from close range to make it three nil. Hereford got their fourth and final goal after sixty eight minutes, Travis bombed down the left wing and crossed to the near post where the ball eluded the defender and man of the match Carey-Bertram was on hand to tap in from close range.
United cruised from then on creating plenty of opportunities to make the result even more emphatic, but Lee McEvily did have a good effort from twenty yards that was beaten away by Craig Mawson. Substitute Rob Purdie looked sharp and had a particularly good run down the left but Williams shot wildly over the bar when Purdie picked him out in acres of space on the edge of the box. Stanley had a good drive from the edge of the box that was tipped away as United continued to dominate.
Graham Hyde was introduced for Jamie Pitman midway in the second half and Andy Williams was bought on to replace Danny Williams, who was stretchered off with around ten minutes to go. Purdie was released once again on the left but his cross along the six yard line was forced over the bar by the onrushing Williams.
All in all, the game was a very entertaining one for the home fans in a crowd of 740, which was slightly disappointing. Hereford made the extra man count well and played some very good football that they must hope to bring into some of their league games in upcoming weeks. The eleven loyal fans in the away enclosure deserve a special mention for making the long trip to Edgar Street, only to see a poor performance from their side who were outplayed by the Bulls, who played much better than they have done for sometime.
HUFC: Craig Mawson, Ryan Green, Simon Travis, Tom Smith, Tony James, Joe Anyinsah, Danny Williams, Jamie Pitman, Craig Stanley, Adam Stansfield, Daniel Carey-Bertram. Subs:Andrew Williams, Graham Hyde, Mark Robinson, Ben Scott, Rob Purdie.
Report by Brian
More injury problems for Turner
According to the Western Daily Press, Graham Turner has fresh injury concerns for tonight's Trophy match.
The paper says that David Brown (ankle), Danny Carey- Bertram (hamstring) and Jamie Pitman (knee) are doubtful. However it suggests that Rob Purdie (hamstring) has recovered.
Meanwhile for those unable to get to Edgar Street tonight there will be updates on BBC Hereford and Worcester. As usual Bulls News will have a full report from the game on-line later this evening.
Monday, January 17, 2005
Trophy replay tonight
Hereford United entertain Accrington Stanley in a 3rd round Trophy replay at Edgar Street this evening at 7.45pm. The two clubs fought out a goal-less draw in their first attempt last Saturday at the Interlink Express Stadium.
The prize for winning the tie is £4,000 and a fourth round game at home against either Hyde United or Whitby Town. So with the prospect of a relatively easy tie if the Bulls go through this evening, Graham Turner may put out his strongest available team.
Whatever the managers' thoughts, Hereford United are expected to give new loan signing Joe Anyinsah his second start for the Bulls and Graham Hyde could start instead of Jamie Pitman. Other changes may include Mark Robinson returning instead of Tom Smith.
Rob Purdie, Andy Tretton and Tamika Mkandawire are still injured although Mkandawire is said to be in with a chance. His strength was missed last Saturday.
Accrington will have a full squad to choose from as Jonathon Smith has returned from suspension.
Meanwhile Rory Prendergast is still with Stanley despite rumours of a bid, since denied, from Bristol Rovers.
"Of course league football is attractive but hopefully I can do that with Accrington, it's obvious that is the ambition of everyone at the club and I would love to help make it happen. It is nice to know people are interested but I just want to get on with my job here," Prendergast told the Stanley Official Website.
New Scout this week
Hereford United expect to announce the name of their new scout this week according to Graham Turner.
"I've got one in mind," Turner told BBC Hereford and Worcester last week. "I've had talks with him. It is a very important role. It's the players he keeps away from the club as well as the ones he brings to the club. It's very easy with a small squad to get one or two of the wrong type.
"I think it's further evidence of the fact that we have stabilised things. We can afford to expand areas on the playing side now and it's a vital role."
The last scout at Edgar Street, Ron Jukes, left to move to Telford in May 2003 and alledgedly took former Bulls player Matt Clarke with him.
At the time Jukes was said to be happy to move because of the potential at Telford.
"This (Telford) is another Rushden & Diamonds and it might even be better than that. I was invited to come along and I said yes, it is as simple as that," Jukes told the Shropshire Star.
"The distance to Hereford was getting a bit too much and I'm really glad to be here. It should be a very exciting time for the club."