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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.
