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Adam Stansfield came off the subs bench and made an immediate impact as Hereford United claimed all three points in a scrappy encounter against York City. Graham Turner made several changes, five in total, to freshen up the side following last weeks unacceptable performance against Stockport. There was still no place for Simon Travis and Tony James, Jamie Pitman, Andy Williams and Craig Mawson were all dropped to the bench. Danny Carey-Bertram was not even amongst the substitutes.
Craig Stanley had found Graham Evans early on but he mis-hit his shot and it flew harmlessley wide. James Dudgeon headed narrowly over for York before Guy Ipoua showed some fantastic skill to help himself past three defenders but he fired over. The Minstermen's top scorer Clayton Donaldson was the most threatening player to the United goal and almost broke the deadlock with a shot from thirty yards, but Wayne Brown managed to tip it inches over the bar.
Jon Brady and Ipoua linked up well to win a first in a spell of four successive corners. Tamika Mkandawire came closest from the third, which he met well with his head but 'keeper David Stockdale managed to get a hand to it. Levent Yalcin shot just over as York ended the first half with the better of the goalscoring chances.
Andy Ferrell mis-cued soon after the restart as did Rob Purdie before Mkandawire beat the 'keeper with a header, from a free kick, but couldn't find the target as The Bulls began to look dangerous. Ferrell should have given United the lead but headed over from close range having got on the end of Brady's hooked cross while at the other end stand-in-skipper Mkandawire gave the crowd a scare when a through ball evaded him and Joe O'Neil chipped just over the bar.
Hereford finally broke through with twenty one minutes remaining when Stansfield netted for the first time this season. Just two minutes after his introduction he controlled Stanley's cross on his chest and, with his back to the goal, unleashed an awesome shot into the far top corner leaving Stockdale helpless. Stansfield was again involved just minutes later when Hereford should have put the game beyond doubt. He nodded the ball on to Ipoua, who beat his man, before seeing his low shot saved by the legs of the goalie. Purdie then hit the rebound wide with just a couple of defenders covering the goal.
Andy Williams came on to give the hosts a whole new-look strike force with ten minutes to go as York put the United defence under some pressure, which was dealt with well. Dean Beckwith and man of the match Ferrell stood out in the defensive roles. Hereford were able to break away more often now and almost got a second as a result of a break down the left which started and finished with Stansfield as he turned Purdie's cross over from close range. There was one last scare for the majority in the crowd of 1,950 in injury time though. Mark Convery struck the foot of the post following a centred ball from the right, much to the frustration of the 127 in the travelling army.
Graham Turner will be much more happy with his sides performance this week, having slammed his team following their F.A. Cup exit. His changes paid off and he will also be delighted that Stansfield had an immediate impact when he came on. Despite the game being a scrappy one, not helped by a card happy referee, United will be much more content after this game.
HUFC: Brown, Green, Beckwith, Mkandawire, Jeannin, Purdie, Stanley, Ferrell, Brady, Ipoua, Evans. Subs: Mawson, James, Pitman, Williams, Stansfield.
YCFC: Stockdale, Andrews, McGurk, Dudgeon, Bertos, Yalcin, Barwick, Dunning, Horwood, O'Neill, Donaldson. Subs: Hotte, Price, Porter, Convery, Stewart.
