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Bristol Rovers scored two late goals to beat Hereford United this afternoon. Rob Purdie and Adam Stansfield were on target for United but goals from Steve Elliott, Jefferson Louis and Mark Richards saw the League Two outfit come away with victory. Graham Turner included Stacy Coldicott in his starting line up in a 3-5-2 formation. Tony James returned to the defence and there was a start up front for Graham Evans.
The first half saw few chances at either end, but it was Bristol Rovers who created more. A well worked corner saw Somner go close to giving Rovers the lead but his header was just over the bar. Dean Beckwith had to make a goal saving challenge after Ryan Williams pulled back to Jamie Forrester but the striker couldn't manage to get the ball out of his feet and Beckwith slid in to clear the danger.
Hereford's best chances in the first half came courtesy of captain Tony James and winger Jon Brady. James met a Beckwith cross but his header went wide. Brady shot from the edge of the area but his shot was always rising and caused the Rovers defence no problem. In the fourty-second minute, Rovers took the lead. Defender Elliot met a corner from Ryan Williams and from six yards, his header was too powerful to stop.
At half time Craig Stanley replaced Coldicott despite a decent performance from the former Grimsby midfielder. Alex Jeannin whipped in some useful free kicks and on one occasion Beckwith leapt above all defenders but failed to make good contact on the ball. In the fifty-eighth minute, Hereford drew level thanks to a superb goal by Purdie. Stansfield stopped the ball from going out for a goal kick and passed to Purdie who cut inside and from the edge of the area curled in a delightful shot past the keeper and into the top corner.
Danny Carey-Bertram replaced trialist Evans up front and sub 'keeper Clint Davies came on for Craig Mawson. Just four minutes after The Bulls had drawn level, they found themselves in front. This time it was Stansfield who got it, Brady found him and Stansfield from twenty-yards shot powerfully past the Rovers 'keeper. Hereford made subs once more after the goal with Stansfield coming off and being replaced with another trialist, Guy Ipoua. Youngster Sam Gwynne also got a chance coming on for Brady.
Hereford were pushing for a third and Craig Stanley's well struck volley from thirty-five yards was saved by the Rovers 'keeper, the follow up fell to Ipoua who shot straight at the 'keeper. The Bulls made more subs as Rob Williams came on for Tamika Mkandawire and Rees Smith replaced Purdie. The changes helped Bristol Rovers as Hereford looked unsettled. In the eighty-sixth minute, Louis struck after sub Mark Richards found him, Louis drilled home from the edge of the area.
Andy Williams replaced Ryan Green but it was Rovers who looked as though they were going to get the winner. Richards struck against the post after a goal mouth scramble but just three minutes later, Richards got the winner. Louis won a header and Richards acrobatically fired home from close range past the helpless Davies.
An attendance of 749 saw some good football from The Bulls and although defeated, it was a good performance from Hereford. Two late goals will not concern Graham Turner as when they were scored, the side was mainly made up of trialists. 99 away fans go back to Bristol after seeing a good display from their side.
Hereford: Mawson,Green, Jeannin, Beckwith, James, Mkandawire, Brady, Coldicott, Stansfield, Evans, Purdie.
Subs: Stanley, Carey-Bertram, A.Williams, Gwynne, Smith, R.Williams, Davies, Ipoua.
Bristol Rovers: Marshall,Gibb, Carruthers, Anderson, Edwards, Elliot, Campbell, Somner, Walker, Forrester, Williams.
Subs: Ryan, Book, Louis, Disley, Trollope, Husbands, Richards, Haldane.
